On Approval

1944

1h 20m

Comedy

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

43%

Audience Score

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.

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Fair classic British comedy, it didnt seem to have the sophistication and clever writing of other British comedies from that time period. It is enjoyable though, good cast, but its 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

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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

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Clive Brook

Director

Clive Brook

George

Beatrice Lillie

Maria Wislack

Googie Withers

Helen Hale

Roland Culver

Richard Halton

O.B. Clarence

Dr. Graham

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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