On Approval

Two courting couples cohabit with farcical results in this brilliantly conceived romp, the only feature that star Clive Brook ever directed.

Introduced by Josephine Botting, Curator of Fiction, BFI National Archive

  • Director

    Clive Brook

  • With

    Clive Brook, Googie Withers, Beatrice Lillie, Roland Culver

  • UK 1944. 80min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    PG

Two couples decide on a trial period before committing to marriage, with highly comic results. Based on the popular play, On Approval avoids the staginess of many theatrical transitions, and Clive Brook, both directing and starring, injects plenty of life and originality into the mix – from a skit on newsreels to a surreal dream sequence. The top-notch cast relishes Frederick Lonsdale’s witty dialogue, especially stage star Beatrice Lillie in a rare screen appearance. With costumes by Cecil Beaton, music by William Alwyn and photography by Claude Friese-Greene, it has many pleasures to offer. The BFI National Archive preserves the original negatives of the film and this 35mm print was made in 1996 from a nitrate printing element. It has only been screened publicly once since its creation.

Josephine Botting