On Approval (1944)

A delightful British comedy of manners based on Frederick Lonsdale's popular play. Adapted, produced, directed and starring Clive Brook, "On Approval" is the story of a trial marriage on a remote island, a tame idea by today's standards, but shocking set in 1890! Much admired for its cinematic cleverness and sparkling quips, today's connoisseurs will also enjoy the tour-de-force ensemble acting. Named one of the ten best pictures of the year by Time Magazine.

Charming to the Last

This is the classic romantic comedy with all the elements of classic English drama. The clever wit coupled with fantastic cinematic choices makes this well worth your time and will leave you laughing for the rest of the day/week. November 20, 2007

Good, not great

Several reviewers have given this DVD five stars. The play certainly deserves them, but regrettably not this film. It retains much of Lonsdale's wit , but both visual and sound quality are a disappointment, and the action, translated from stage to screen, waters the material down.

One reviewer urges Amazonians to look for a recording of the 1982 BBC production with Jeremy Brett and Penelope Keith. He's right! It's a much better, more enjoyable production. But until it becomes available, this film version is the best we've got. Pity. May 31, 2007

On Approval

A subtle, overlooked English treat, "On Approval" is top high-brow English comedy in the vein of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward. Though the British upper-class reserve is ever-present, it's integral to the comedy, with the proper English language employed like a rapier. It's also a rare cinematic opportunity to see Clive Brook and stage comedienne Beatrice Lillie in action. Sophisticated, irresistible fun.

September 7, 2005

I purchased this movie and didn't like it.

I am a great fan of Frederick Lonsdale's play "On Approval," yet I can not recommend this movie version of it. I know many people love it and have nothing but praise for Lillie and Brooks' performances, yet I found them so stiff that they appeared like zombies. Lillie holds a constant frozen smile for so long that she hardly seems human. Brook, when told he's nothing more than the spawn of illigitimacy, shows absolutely no reaction at all. He's so stiff that it doesn't come across as the famous British reserve but rather as if he's comatose.

Quite appart from the performances, the rewritten version of the play for this movie isn't as sharp and funny as the original. The new ending is particulary disappointing.

For a excellent version of this oustanding play, and to see how much better it is when done properly according to the original play, try to locate a copy of the BBC-1's version produced in 1982 for the "Play of the Month" show. This version, starring the great Jeremy Brett and even greater Penelope Keith, is absolutely perfect in the delivery of the performances and sticking to the original play.

For more information about the 1982 version of "On Approval," please see the page labeled "On Approval" at the bottom of my site at http://www.waynesthisandthat.com. January 2, 2005

Mannered, amusing, and slightly malicious

I won't recap the storyline, but will only add to what others have said. On Approval is an extremely amusing comedy of upper class British manners. It is wickedly malicious without being mean-spirited. The four leads play off each other flawlessly. Clive Brook, who also wrote and directed the film, is priceless as an aristocrat who finds it entirely reasonable to take his pleasures at the expense of others.

Brook is largely forgotten now, but he was a major British actor in his time. He made only one movie after this, 1963's List of Adrian Messenger. At 76 he could still command the screen, even when sharing scenes with George C. Scott.

The DVD's look and sound is very good. March 18, 2004

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