A Damsel in Distress

1937

Action / Comedy / Music / Musical / Romance

5
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 71% · 7 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 67% · 250 ratings
IMDb Rating 6.8/10 10 2641 2.6K

dancing london, england arranged marriage musical ballroom dancing secretary

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Plot summary

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'.

Director

George Stevens Photo
George Stevens

Top cast

Max Linder Photo
Max Linder as Footman
May Beatty Photo
May Beatty as Landlady
Joan Fontaine Photo
Joan Fontaine as Lady Alyce
Monte Blue Photo
Monte Blue as Bit Role
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
923.91 MB
956*720
English 2.0
Passed
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds ...
1.67 GB
1424*1072
English 2.0
Passed
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by CinemaSerf 7 / 10

There is something oddly static about this self

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...
Reviewed by uberlibrarian 7 / 10

Not the best Astaire, but some terrific dancing w/ Gracie & George

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, when I read about Fred Astaire teaming up with George Burns & Gracie Allen in a movie with a script by P.G. Wodehouse and music by the Gershwins. It is definitely worth seeing, but lacks the cohesive quality of the Fred & Ginger movies.

The story would probably be better to read in a Wodehouse book, where the humor comes across better. Some of the acting is downright painful to watch (notably the young boy and the damsel).

But...! The funhouse dance is worth more than most movies. I never knew that Gracie Allen could dance, but boy does she in this movie. Have you ever tried to remain standing on one of those spinning discs in a funhouse? Imagine tapdancing on one in high heels! She keeps up wonderfully with Astaire and adds greatly to the overall quality of the picture.

Several nice songs, particularly fun are Nice Work if you Can Get It and Stiff Upper Lip.

Recommended for fans of Astaire, Burns & Allen. I had to go back and re-watch the funhouse dance as soon as the credits rolled.

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