A Damsel in Distress

"You know, if it weren't for two things you'd be a terrific dancer."

"What's that?"

"Your feet."

Lady Alyce Marshmorton (Fontaine) must marry soon. Her staff, led by butler Keggs (Gardiner), bet on the most likely candidate, with Keggs rigging it in his favor. With all the likely candidates claimed, footman Albert (Watson) bets on Mr. X and claims that Alyce is in love with an American. 

Meanwhile, American entertainer Jerry Halliday (Astaire), is trying to avoid the press and his adoring fans. While escaping both, he meets Alyce, who is escaping Keggs' watchful eye. Keggs and Albert believe he is Alyce's American. 

The mistaken identity continues, with Jerry's press agent George (Burns), and inept secretary Gracie (Allen), also convinced that Alyce is in love with Jerry. Alyce's aunt wants Jerry out of the way so her stepson Reggie (Noble) can propose, while her father, Lord Marshmorton (Love), endorses Jerry. Can they resolve the confusion and end up with the right people?

Based on the 1919 novel by P.G. Wodehouse (who also co-wrote the screenplay). Turned into a musical with songs by George and Ira Gershwin. 

The Good:

Gracie Allen is the best part of the film. She is hilarious and manages to confuse and one-up all the men around her. Allen and husband George Burns were a well-known comedic team, but did not make many films together, which is a shame.

This film may not be as well-known or iconic as other Fred Astaire films, but the dancing is top notch. 

The Bad:

I like the cast, but the film doesn't work as well as expected. The romance feels forced. Joan Fontaine tries, but her dancing is no match for her co-stars. 

Other Comments:

-Burns and Allen dance alongside Astaire comfortably.  No one stands out, they feel like an even match in both the comedic tap dance "Put Me to the Test" and the funhouse dance "Stiff Upper Lip" sung by Allen.

-This was Astaire's first film after ending his professional partnership with Ginger Rogers.

-The story was also turned into a play, and it feels like that is a better fit for the story, than an Astaire musical. 

-This film was nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Art Direction for Carroll Clark and Best Dance Direction for Hermes Pan, the "Fun House" sequence.  It won Best Dance Direction.

-Not bad, but Allen and the dancing are the best parts.

A Damsel in Distress (1937) 98 minutes

Director: George Stevens 

Starring: Fred Astaire as Jerry Halliday 

George Burns as George

Gracie Allen as Gracie

Joan Fontaine as Alyce Marshmorton 

Reginald Gardiner as Keggs

Ray Noble as Reggie

Constance Collier as Lady Caroline

Montagu Love as Lord Marshmorton

Harry Watson as Albert