A young lady in need
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | A young lady in need |
| Original title | A damsel in distress |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1937 |
| length | 101 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | George Stevens |
| script |
PG Wodehouse , Ernest Pagano , SK Lauren |
| production | Pandro S. Berman |
| music | Robert Russell Bennett |
| camera | Joseph H. August |
| cut | Henry Berman |
| occupation | |
| |
A damsel in distress ( english A Damsel in Distress ) is an American musical comedy film from 1937. The screenplay is based on the novel by co-author PG Wodehouse. The film was produced by RKO . It is the first film with Fred Astaire without his previous partner Ginger Rogers .
action
Lady Alyce Marshmorton's love life is the basis of gossip among Totleigh Castle employees. Bets are placed on a wedding of the lady, which are initiated by the steward Beggs. In order to win his bet, the young servant Albert forges a love letter from Alyce to the musical star Jerry Halliday, whom Alyce met in London. Jerry believes in the love insurance in the letter. Jerry travels from London to the Marshmortons' estate with his biographer George and the typist Gracie. Alyce, who is in love with an American ski racer, is looked after by her old-fashioned aunt Caroline. Alyce is puzzled by Jerry's arrival and his shows of love. With the help of Lord John, Alyce's father, Jerry can lure her to a carnival party. There he wins her heart.
Beggs has put his money on Reggie, Lady Caroline's somewhat naive stepson. He forces Albert to swap the bets. In revenge, Albert shows Alyce a newspaper article about Jerry's affairs. Alyce is injured and tells Jerry the end of their relationship at a ball. Again Lord John stands up for Jerry. When Reggie also makes Gracie advances, Alyce is convinced of Jerry's true love for her.
Reviews
The lexicon of the international film about the film: “Dance and music film tailor-made for Fred Astaire. Largely lively and humorous entertainment that offers only a few, but successful Astaire solos. "
Dave Kehr of the Chicago Reader particularly praises the actors, the work of Burns and Allen was surprisingly effective with Astaire.
Awards
In 1938 the film was awarded an Oscar in the former category Best Dance Director ( Hermes Pan ). Carroll Clark was nominated for an Oscar in the category Best Production Design (b / w) .
background
The US premiere took place on November 19, 1937. In Germany, the film first appeared on August 8, 1985 in a television version on ZDF .
With an estimated budget of just over a million US dollars, the film grossed approximately 1.5 million US dollars worldwide.
Jack Carson can be seen in a small supporting role .
Almost all of the film songs were composed by Ira Gershwin (text) and George Gershwin (melody). These included "I Can't Be Bothered Now ", "The Jolly Tar and the Milkmaid" , "Stiff Upper Lip" , "Things Are Looking Up" , "Sing of Spring" , " A Foggy Day " and " Nice Work If." You Can Get It ” . There is also the instrumental piece “Put Me to the Test” , the text of which was not used because it is a pure dance piece for Astaire, and “Ah! May Heaven to You Grant Pardon ” in a version translated into English by Friedrich von Flotow . Four months before the film premiered, composer George Gershwin died of complications from a tumor.
literature
- PG Wodehouse: A Damsel in Distress - English edition - Arc Manor, 2008 - ISBN 1-60450-056-5
Web links
- A damsel in distress in the Internet Movie Database (English)