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On Approval

Play trailer Poster for On Approval 1944 1h 20m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 43% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
A man of little means, Richard Halton (Roland Culver) has every desire to marry the widow Maria Wislack (Beatrice Lillie), but lacks the funds to properly do so. However, Maria is open to the marriage, if only Richard will join her at her secluded island castle for a month, to see if married life would suit them. Yet the two are not to be alone, for Richard's friend George (Clive Brook), the 10th Duke of Bristol, and American Helen Hale (Googie Withers) join them for a scandalous time.

Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader The Wildean witticisms come fast and furious in this effervescent screen adaptation of a British play by Frederick Lonsdale. Jun 14, 2018 Full Review Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune This impish 1944 film adaptation of the 1926 Frederick Lonsdale comedy provides spacious roles for two peerless actresses. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 26, 2014 Full Review A.H. Weiler New York Times On Approval, which augured either a cute commentary on manners or a Beatrice Lillie bonanza, turned out to be an uneven little lampoon that more often than not did not come off. Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Dwight MacDonald Esquire Magazine A soufflé that never sogs, a fortunate coincidence of director, scriptwriter, and cast of just four, a Mozartian quartet, or perhaps Gilbert & Sullivan is more accurate, who play beautifully together. Aug 13, 2019 Full Review Edgar Anstey The Spectator On Approval is one of the funniest British pictures I have seen for a very long time. Jun 14, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Slmply one of the most amusintng comedies of the 1940's. Clive Brook - who adapted the playm directed and starred in this film does a brilliant job. Very dry humor, and also notable for being one of the few films starring Beatice Lillie, who is a delight. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member It has it's moments and some good zingers, but not nearly enough to sustain an hour and 20 minutes of mirth, more like an hour and 20 minutes of occasional amusement. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Fair classic British comedy, it didn’t seem to have the sophistication and clever writing of other British comedies from that time period. It is enjoyable though, good cast, but it’s not very memorable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Somewhat funny and somewhat boring, that's what I remember feeling towards this movie, but I can't seem to remember the story at the moment, and Flixster doesn't have it either. I'll watch it again sometime. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Fair classic British comedy, it didn?t seem to have the sophistication and clever writing of other British comedies from that time period. It is enjoyable though, good cast, but it?s not very memorable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member The attitude toward relationships is utterly caustic and cynical (in other words, realistic!) and the zingers are like 19th century "Married...With Children." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
On Approval

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On Approval

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Movie Info

Synopsis A man of little means, Richard Halton (Roland Culver) has every desire to marry the widow Maria Wislack (Beatrice Lillie), but lacks the funds to properly do so. However, Maria is open to the marriage, if only Richard will join her at her secluded island castle for a month, to see if married life would suit them. Yet the two are not to be alone, for Richard's friend George (Clive Brook), the 10th Duke of Bristol, and American Helen Hale (Googie Withers) join them for a scandalous time.
Director
Clive Brook
Producer
Sydney Box, Clive Brook
Production Co
Independent
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 20m