“Knight For A Day” is a 1946 Classic Disney Short directed by Jack Hannah, starring Goofy.
In the days of Knights In Shining Armor, the whole kingdom gathers for a jousting tournament, where the winner gets a kiss from the lovely Princess Esmeralda. But when contender Sir Loinsteak is indisposed, it's up to his loyal page Cedric to take his place and battle the champion Sir Cumference.
Tropes:
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Averted! Princess Esmeralda naturally falls in love with Cedric. Even when Sir Cumference appears to have won the tournament, Esmeralda boos him showing that she opposes him.
- Anachronism Stew: This cartoon takes place in medieval times, yet Sir Cumference smokes a cigar and uses a jackhammer at one point. Also, someone plays “Calling to the Post” on the horn.
- Awkward Collar Pull: As Sir Cumference tires of pounding Cedric's armor, he pulls on his collar and steam comes out.
- Black Knight: Sir Cumference no less!
- Blue Is Heroic: Cedric is the hero and his horse wears a blue caparison.
- Brick Joke: Cedric accidentally shatters Sir Loinsteak’s sword while frantically making final preparations for the tournament. During the tournament, Cedric draws his sword only to realize it’s still broken.
- Butter Face: Princess Esmeralda's veil doesn't hide the fact that she has the same face as all the male Goofys.
- Cigar Chomper: Sir Cumference always sports a cigar, which sticks out of his helmet when the visor is closed.
- Circling Birdies: Sir Loinsteak gets them after Cedric accidentally pushes him off his armor and knocking him out.
- Covered in Kisses: As winner of the tournament, Cedric wins the hand of Princess Esmeralda, who literally jumps on top of him from the balcony before kissing him until his face is covered with red lipstick marks.
- Distracted by the Sexy: Cedric’s attraction to Princess Esmeralda causes the Plank Gag mentioned below.
- Emergency Impersonation: Cedric accidentally knocks out his master Sir Loinsteak, and ends up taking his place in the jousting tournament.
- Expressive Mask: The contenders’ helmet visors often take expressions of fear (Cedric) or determination (Sir Cumference).
- Innocent Blue Eyes: Cedric is depicted with blue eyes when he gazes up at Princess Esmeralda to the point when he starts trembling at the sight of Sir Cumference ready to charge at him.
- Interactive Narrator: The narrator is the one who tells Cedric to take Sir Loinsteak’s place in the joust after accidentally knocking him out.
- Jousting Lance: After all, the plot mainly focuses on a jousting tournament.
- Kill Tally: When Sir Cumference is introduced, the side of his horse's caparison has a collection of stamps marking the amount of knights he competed with and defeated.
- The Klutz: Cedric is pretty clumsy. He accidentally breaks Sir Loinsteak’s sword, he accidentally knocks Sir Loinsteak unconscious, and he accidentally knocks off the judges’ crowns with his lance.
- Love at First Sight: Announced by the narrator when Cedric and Princess Esmeralda first lay eyes on each other.
- The Middle Ages: Takes place in the 15th century, which was The Late Middle Ages.
- Narrator: Acts as a sportscaster-like announcer.
- Oh, Crap!:
- When seeing Sir Cumference across the field ready to charge, Cedric starts trembling.
- Cedric gets this reaction again when Sir Cumference is about to beat him with his mace.
- Plank Gag: Cedric gets distracted by Princess Esmeralda and knocks the crowns from the judges’ heads with his lance.
- Punny Name: Sir Loinsteak and Sir Cumference.
- Punny Title: The title of this cartoon is a pun for "Night for a day."
- Red and Black and Evil All Over: Sir Cumference, as the antagonist, wear a red shirt over his dark armor. His horse wears a black caparison with red reins and has a pair of red eyes.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: Sir Cumference’s horse has a pair of red eyes.
- Redhead In Green: Cedric has red hair, and his outfit mainly consists of a green shirt.
- Redheads Are Ravishing: Cedric is a redhead and he is instantly admired by Princess Esmeralda, who roots for him in the jousting tournament.
- Screams Like a Little Girl: When the knights are charging at each other, the lion on Cedric’s shield comes to life screaming with terror.
- Smooch of Victory: Cedric gets one from Esmeralda after winning the tournament, resulting in his face being covered in lipstick marks.
- Title Drop: As the short closed, the narrator concludes, “What a day for a knight, and what a knight for a day.
- Victory by Endurance: For the final round, Cedric just hides inside the armor while Sir Cumference pounds on it with his mace. Eventually, Sir Cumference gets exhausted and faints, while Cedric is safe and sound, winning the tournament and the favor of Princess Esmeralda.
- White Stallion: Cedric’s jousting horse.
- Wrecked Weapon: While preparing Sir Loinsteak for the tournament, Cedric accidentally shatters his sword. During the tournament, Cedric draws his sword only to realize it’s still broken. He improvises by replacing the blade with one of the arms from his armor. Then Cedric charges at Sir Comference and punches him with the fist of that arm twice.
