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friday

Elsewhere in the world in 1937, Stalin held power and the Spanish Civil War plowed ahead. Back in a budding Hollywood, however, studios were in charge—and pumping out comedies such as P.G. Wodehouse’s A Damsel in Distress to ease troubled minds at home. George Stevens’ musical features Fred Astaire’s dancing, Joan Fontaine’s meticulously coifed hair, and George Burns and Gracie Allen’s comedic interplay—with music and lyrics composed by George and Ira Gershwin. Their 13 strongly creative but oft-overlooked show tunes include “Things Are Looking Up” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” which was shot in one continuous take. The most celebrated is “A Foggy Day,” during which Astaire sung while alternately walking and dancing solo through the woods. If you ignore the global historical context, those were most definitely the days. Revisit them when the film shows at 7 p.m. at the Library of Congress’ Pickford Theater, 101 Independence Ave. SE. Free. (202) 707-5677. (Kim Rinehimer)