Ein Fräulein in Nöten (1937)

Ein Fräulein in Nöten: Directed by George Stevens. With Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Joan Fontaine. 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 (bumping into dancer Jerry Halliday, instead), 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”.

“Fred Astaire, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Joan Fontaine. A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (1937) may seem like a curiosity piece, but itu0026#39;s really a great, lesser-known movie. Itu0026#39;s a fun comedy/musical in the vein of the Astaire/Rogers films of the decade. You canu0026#39;t really go wrong with a Fred Astaire movie, particularly from the black u0026amp; white days. Astaire was so likable and charming on-screen. He was great at comedy, he could carry a tune, and brother could he ever dance.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe romance plot is set up with Astaire playing an American dancer traveling abroad and Joan Fontaine playing a young noblewoman who doesnu0026#39;t want to marry the eligible bachelors at home. The two meet and through a series of misunderstandings, Fred comes to believe that Joan is in love with him. She isnu0026#39;t at first, but if youu0026#39;ve seen enough of these light-hearted Hollywood rom-coms, you know what happens. Fontaineu0026#39;s servants have bets on who she will marry, and they try to influence the romantic outcome in their favor.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGeorge Burns and Gracie Allen are comedy legends. Theyu0026#39;re not known for their feature films, but they really sparkle in this one as Astaireu0026#39;s sidekicks. Their comedy bits are golden and they even join Fred for some dancing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe rest of the supporting cast is great, particularly Reginald Gardiner and Montagu Love. Joan Fontaine, very early in her career, is absolutely lovely.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe music is from George and Ira Gershwin and is pretty good, if not as memorable as some of the music from the Astaire/Rogers flicks. I recognized u0026quot;Nice Work If You Can Get Itu0026quot; and u0026quot;A Foggy Dayu0026quot;. There are a few wonderful dance sequences, including a wildly inventive fun house scene with Astaire, Burns, Allen, and a crowd of extras. Thereu0026#39;s also a tremendous solo routine where Astaire tap dances and plays a drum set– with his feet.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI caught this gem on TCM and Iu0026#39;m glad I did. Iu0026#39;m a huge Fred Astaire fan and this movie fits right in with his others. Plus itu0026#39;s got the added comedic bonus of George Burns and Gracie Allen. The movie is a lot of fun and itu0026#39;s got a nice little love story. Itu0026#39;s time well spent if youu0026#39;re a classic movie fan. I just wish this forgotten treasure was more readily available.”