Girl on Approval
Girl on Approval is a 1961 black and white British drama film directed by Charles Frend and starring Rachel Roberts, James Maxwell and Annette Whiteley.[3] Mr and Mrs Howland arrive at a children's home to collect Sheila, a troublesome 14 year old, who has had several foster parents before.Mr Howland goes to speak to the social worker who sees it as a vicious circle, and fears Sheila will treat her own children badly.Another fight starts between Anne and Sheila when she refuses to pick up her wet towels in the bathroom.As Sheila stands at the front door with her case the whistle blows on the kettle and she is asked to stay for tea.They had the advantage of a strong, spare script, obviously written with first-hand knowledge of the problems involved, and bravely free of all concessions to sentimentality or facile optimism.It is the sort of affectionate, well-observed picture of lower middle class life that occasionally crops up in television drama, where it must be admitted it often gets more technically assured treatment.She is splendidly supported by young Annette Whiteley, who manages to convey a glimmer of an attractive and loveable child emerging reluctantly from her sullen defensive shell.Direction and 'supporting cast are uninspired by comparison, but the unpretentious honesty of the whole enterprise deserves every credit.