Girls in Distress (1939): cast, story & where to watch
1939 · Film · ★ 5.7
Released in 1939, Girls in Distress is a drama film directed by G.W. Pabst, running about 90 minutes.
What it’s about. Jeune Filles en Detresse (Young Girls in Distress) was director G. W. Pabst's last French production before his (ill-timed) return to Nazi-occupied Austria in 1941. Somewhat reminiscent of Maedchen in Uniform, the story is set in a private girl's school, populated almost exclusively by children from broken homes. Among the few students who can claim family stability is Micheline Presle, but even her happiness is threatened when her lawyer father Andre Luguet inaugurates an affair with stage actress Jacqueline Debulac. With the help of Debulac's daughter Louisa Carletti, Presle is able to break up her father's romance and deliver him into the open arms of her mother Marcelle Chantal. On the whole, the performance by the younger cast members are more convincing than those rendered by the film's so-called adults.
Who’s in it. Girls in Distress stars Marcelle Chantal as Docteur Marthe Presle, Jacqueline Delubac as Pola d'Ivry, la mère de Margot, André Luguet as Maître Jacques Presle and Micheline Presle as Jacqueline Presle, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.7/10, Girls in Distress has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Girls in Distress page.
If you liked it. Fans of Girls in Distress tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Girls in Distress (1939)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Girls in Distress change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Girls in Distress worth watching?
- Girls in Distress holds an audience score of 5.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Girls in Distress?
- Girls in Distress stars Marcelle Chantal, Jacqueline Delubac, André Luguet, Micheline Presle and Louise Carletti.
- When was Girls in Distress released?
- Girls in Distress was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.