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Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Joan Fontaine, Reginald Gardiner ... see more see more... , Constance Collier , Ray Noble , Montagu Love , Harry Watson , Jan Duggan , Mario Berini , Ralph Brooks , Mary Gordon , Sam Harris , Fred Kelsey , Frank Moran , Ken Terrell , Jack George , W.J. O'Brien , Charles Bennett

Fred Astaire's first RKO musical without his longtime partner Ginger Rogers is one of his best from any period -- even though it's obvious that leading lady Joan Fontaine can't dance a step. Written b... read more read more...y P. G. Wodehouse, Damsel in Distress casts Astaire as Jerry, an American entertainer appearing in London. Poor Jerry gets sucked into a wager conducted among servants of country squire Lord Mashmorton (Montague Love) He is "elected" to rescue his Lordship's daughter Lady Alyce (Joan Fontaine) from an arranged marriage with orchestra leader Reggie (Ray Noble), a likeable chap who steadfastly refuses to play the villain of the piece. Weaving in and out of all this are Jerry's business manager George (George Burns) and his daffy secretary Gracie (Gracie Allen). In addition to including such Gershwin standards as "A Foggy Day" and "Nice Work if You Can Get It," not to mention Fred Astaire's untoppable "drum dance," A Damsel in Distress affords George Burns and Gracie Allen their best-ever screen roles; the team is permitted to join Astaire in the elaborate "round-and-round" production number "Things are Looking Up," as well as a delightful whisk-broom dance (which, it is said, George and Gracie taught to Fred, rather than the other way around). As Lady Alyce's duplicitous butler, Reginald Gardiner enjoys his own comic highlight with an interesting variation on his "musical cop" routine in Born to Dance. As for 19-year-old Joan Fontaine, she's quite lovely and charming, and Astaire does his very best to camouflage her utter lack of terpsichorean ability. Amazingly, A Damsel in Distress lost money at the box office, compelling RKO Radio to play safe by quickly reteaming Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Carefree. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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61% liked it

345 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: George Stevens

Release Date: November 19, 1937

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Flixster Reviews (26)

  • ajv2688
    September 18, 2010
    ajv2688
    Another predictable romance movie! Well, at least it has Burns and Allen to offer some jokes along the way.
  • MissMorganLeee
    May 31, 2009
    MissMorganLeee
    this is such a funny movie! First off Gracie Allen is a hoot! she being that dumb is soo believible! I always love Fred Astaire , his voice and dancing! The whole story line was pretty funny! The scene when george burns cant hold in the Opera and just burst out is soo hillarious!
  • jam233
    July 30, 2009
    jam233
    A really fun musical comedy - Gracie Allen is priceless, i find her so funny! some very creative musical numbers, great cast, just sit back and enjoy this classic.

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Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Burns and Allen were imported to balance her lack of humor; their presence is certainly welcome, and their work with Astaire is surprisingly effective. Full Review

November 13, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Burns and Allen are reliably funny and display more than passing hoofing abilities, and Montague Love and Reginald Gardiner are properly pompous in their aristocratic roles. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 22, 2007
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

An Astaire dancing pic without Rogers is like a ham on rye without mustard. Full Review

Tom Milne
January 26, 2006
Tom Milne, Time Out

Nicely directed but a bit on the twee side with its Wodehouse plot and mock Englishisms, the result would be questionable but for a rich Gershwin score. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • Which One Tree Hill starlet played a damsel in distress in the 2006 remake of a classic C. Thomas Howell horror flick?  Answer »
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