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A Damsel in Distress (1937)

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Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 342

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Movie Info

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 by 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

Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.

Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Directed By: George Stevens

Written By: P.G. Wodehouse, Ernest Pagano

In Theaters: Nov 19, 1937 Wide

Cast

Fred Astaire
Jerry Halliday
George Burns
George Burns
Gracie Allen
Gracie Allen
Joan Fontaine
Lady Alyce Marshmorton
Reginald Gardiner
Keggs Butler
Constance Collier
Lady Caroline Marshmort...
Ray Noble
Reggie
Montagu Love
Lord John Marshmorton
Harry Watson
Albert
Jan Duggan
Miss Ruggles
Mario Berini
Gardiner [singing]
Ralph Brooks
Mary Gordon
Cook
Sam Harris
Dance Extra
Fred Kelsey
Sightseer
Frank Moran
Bobby
Ken Terrell
Drunk
Jack George
Madrigal Singer
W.J. O'Brien
Chauffeur
Charles Bennett
Carnival Barker

Critic Reviews for A Damsel in Distress

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1)

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

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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.

November 13, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

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

February 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Tom Milne

Time Out

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Audience Reviews for A Damsel in Distress

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Another predictable romance movie! Well, at least it has Burns and Allen to offer some jokes along the way.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

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!

May 31, 2009

Morgan Salem

Super Reviewer

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