Sometimes you need to cheer yourself up with a little hoofin’ and laughing and ingenue romance. As I did the other day thanks to iPlayer. A Damsel in Distress was just what the day needed: Fred Astaire, George and Gracie in London where a most youthful Joan Fontaine has fallen for an American and of course madcap mixups and mishaps occur both in town and in the hereditary estate where an indulgent father and a shrewish aunt complicate life. Does it sound like PG Wodehouse? Well, it should as it’s not only based his novel but he co-wrote the script. Oh, the American additions are creaky (requisite cute scamp actor who can’t fake the accent even when he remembers to try [though apparently went on to be a war photographer and to innovate live news coverage so well done that man]), but to make up for it there are songs by George and Ira Gershwin and choreography by Hermes Pan so there you go. The fun fair sequence is particularly fun. Also Gracie deadpanning over a sign warning not to finger the art in the castle (yes, that’s Reginald Gardiner as Keggs the butler). If you have not experienced the genius of Gracie Allen, amend that lack soon. You forget that she and George are damn fine hoofers, too, though it’s hard not to miss Ginger dancing with Fred. Joan does her best and Hermes choreographs around her skills. And there’s a fun drum dance at the end. Fun stuff.

On the train down south tomorrow. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly which seems less reliable these days, but what can you do. The seasoned traveller knows that it’s best to keep flexible and hope for the best.