Crowe to the rescue of damsel in distress

Russell Crowe has swooped in to help a real-life damsel in distress on the set of his new Robin Hood movie in England. Photo / Greg Bowker

LONDON - Russell Crowe has swooped in to help a real-life damsel in distress on the set of his new Robin Hood movie in England.

The Oscar winner handed sound recordist Denise Yarde £5,000 ($NZ12,937) to buy a new car after her old one burst into flames while she was driving from her London home to the movie set in Virginia Water, Surrey.

When she arrived on set she told co-workers, including the multi-millionaire star of the film, about her ordeal and said she would now have to find the money to buy a new car.

The Sunday Mirror newspaper reported that when Crowe made a joke about the car, Yarde shot back: "Well I suppose it's ok for you Russell. You've probably never had to worry about finding five grand for a new car."

A short time later, Crowe handed over a wad of cash, saying: "There you go. You can buy a £10,000 car now."

A film insider told the newspaper that Yarde was overjoyed by the gesture and used the money to buy a top-of-the-range 2007 Saab.

"Denise's job involves dressing like an extra and getting right in the middle of the action to pick up the dialogue, so without her there was no filming for a few hours.

"By the time she got to work everyone knew what had happened and she came in for a bit of mickey-taking for driving an old banger.

"Russell joined in with some of it and she took it in good heart. But at one point, after she said about him never having to worry about buying a new car, Russell went quiet and everyone thought that was the end of it.

"Then later in the afternoon he sought Denise out and gave her the five grand.

"It was a lovely gesture by Russell, who is known on the set for his generosity."

- AAP