A Damsel in Distress

1937

1h 41m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

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Music

Comedy

Romance

Lady Alyce Marshmorton must marry soon, and the staff of Tottney Castle have laid bets on who she'll choose, with young Albert wagering on 'Mr. X'. After Alyce goes to London to meet a beau she is restricted to the castle to curb her scandalous behavior. Albert then summons Jerry to Alyce's aid in order to 'protect his investment'.

Directors

George Stevens

Writers

S.K. Lauren(screenplay by)

Ernest Pagano(screenplay by)

P.G. Wodehouse(screenplay by)

Stars

Fred Astaire

George Burns

Gracie Allen

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Photos17

Top cast

Jerry Halliday

George

Gracie

Alyce Marshmorton

Keggs

Reggie

Lady Caroline

Lord Marshmorton

Albert

Miss Ruggles

Cook (uncredited)

Directors

George Stevens

Writers

S.K. Lauren(screenplay by)

Ernest Pagano(screenplay by)

P.G. Wodehouse(screenplay by)

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User reviews1

Review

Featured review

7/10

There is something oddly static about this self adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse's comedy romance. Joan Fontaine is "Lady Alyce" an heiress who casually meets visiting dancer/composer Fred Astaire ("Jerry") on a trip to London. Their romance is soon smouldering (well, as much as anything actually smouldered in 1937), much to the chagrin of her well-to-do family at their ancestral "Tottney Castle". Aided and abetted by George Burns, his press man ("George") and Gracie Allen ("Gracie"), his secretary - who offer an efficient if not terrific foil for the slightly obvious gags - he persists in pursuing his love. The dancing, almost all of which is performed en seul by Astaire - illustrates well his skill and the quality of the Gershwin's score, but somehow his solo performances just don't really engage. It's not just that there isn't a Ginger Rogers, it's that there is anyone at all. The briefest of scenes with Fontaine offer a taste of what we might have had (granted, she is not so adept as his more famous partner), but instead this is essentially a solo effort that, for me, demonstrated certain limitations with Astaire's acting prowess. It's an enjoyable film to watch, and there's no denying "Put Me to the Test" and "Nice Work if You Can Get It" get toes a-tapping, but the dance ensembles scenes are more reminiscent of a choir practice, and the whole thing just lacks pizzazz...

Geronimo196720 Jun, 2022