On Approval (1944)

Two wealthy Victorian widows are courted tentatively by two impoverished British aristocrats. When one of the dowagers suggests that her beau go away with her for a month to see if they are compatible, the fireworks begin.

Director:

Clive Brook

Writers:

Frederick Lonsdale (play), Clive Brook (adapted for the screen by)

Stars:

Clive Brook, Beatrice Lillie, Googie Withers

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clive Brook	...	George, 10th Duke of Bristol
Beatrice Lillie	...	Maria Wislack
Googie Withers	...	Helen Hale
Roland Culver	...	Richard Halton
E.V.H. Emmett	...	Narrator (voice)
O.B. Clarence	...	Dr. Graham
Lawrence Hanray	...	Parkes
Elliott Mason	...	Mrs. McCosh - the Housekeeper (as Elliot Mason)
Hay Petrie	...	Hotelkeeper
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Cook
Mollie Munks	...	Jeannie (as Molly Munks)

Storyline

Victorian London. George, the 10th Duke of Bristol, and his equally upper class friend Richard Halton are both broke. To live, George has had to rent out his London castle to visiting young American socialite Helen Hale. So the only way George has access to his own home is when he is invited to a party hosted by Helen. Much to George's surprise, Richard confesses to him that he is in love from afar with and would like to marry wealthy widowed Maria Wislack, Helen's friend who George considers a haggard, controlling, old (forty-one) shrew of a woman. Richard believes he has no chance with Maria due to the difference in their financial situations. Richard is surprised to find that Maria knows he is in love with her, she in turn attracted to him. However, to test if they will be compatible as husband and wife, Maria proposes they spend one month together in her mansion on an otherwise deserted island off the coast of Scotland, Richard who is to row to the mainland every night and row ...

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Plot Keywords:

widow | victorian era | trial marriage | scotland | island | 

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Taglines:

It's SCANDALOUSly Funny!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play upon which this film is based opened on Broadway at the Gaiety Theatre, 1547 Broadway at W. 46th St., on October 18, 1926 and ran for 96 performances until January, 1927.

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Quotes

Maria Wislack: [rushing into George's room to wake him] George! George!
George, 10th Duke of Bristol: [sleepily] How do you do?
Maria Wislack: There's a man in my room!
George, 10th Duke of Bristol: Why?

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Connections

Version of BBC Play of the Month: On Approval (1982)

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Soundtracks

The Dancing Lesson
(uncredited)
Music by Herbert Oliver
Lyrics by Edward Teschemacher (as Edward Lockton)

User Reviews

Beatrice Lillie Shines....

in this 1944 film version of the Frederick Lonsdale play. Charming, caustic, biting, and very funny, On Approval centers on 4 people who end up together in a house in Scotland for a month to see if they are "suited" for marriage. Of course no one gets along, the servants leave instantly, and the weather is dreadful. Lillie made only a handful of films; what a pity. She's quite wonderful as the rich woman who disdains marriage. Clive Brook (best remembered for Cavalcade) is excellent as the Duke (son of a butcher's daughter) who assumes the airs of aristocracy without having money. Roland Culver and Googie Withers round out the bickering foursome. Surprisingly fresh and current. I'd seen the 1982 BBC play with Penelope Keith and remembered it fondly. This is different but equal. Lonsdale seemed at one time a copy of Wilde or even Coward. But he has a special way with words that makes for delightful dialogue. On Approval is worth looking for!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 May 1944 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ehemann zur Ansicht

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Producers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1