Make Me an Offer

On a childhood trip to the British Museum, young Charlie (Richard O'Sullivan) falls instantly in love with the Portland Vase, and his passion for it leads to him eventually becoming a dealer in English pottery. Whilst still a boy he sees a newspaper cutting that describes the theft, 50 years before in 1886, of art treasures, including a perfect green Portland Vase created by Josiah Wedgwood in 1783. Years later and struggling in his profession, Charlie (Peter Finch) learns of a room full of Wedgwood in a country mansion up for demolition. Lacking funds, he turns to Abe Sparta, a successful businessman and the owner of the house in which Charlie, his wife Bella and their two children live. He takes the train to view the contents before the auction of the mansion's contents. To his great disgust, Charlie finds only French fakes.

When Nicky, a pretty (if absentminded and clumsy) redhead, walks to the neighbouring cottage, Charlie follows. He purchases a worthless porcelain piece from her, just because she needs two pounds. She invites him to look around to see if he might find something of value. Nicky is looking after Sir John, an aged relation with a wicked reputation. Charlie conceals his astonishment upon spotting two of the art objects stolen along with the vase. Then he finds the Portland Wedgwood vase gathering dust in the attic. Charlie offers Nicky £10 for it, but she wants £100 for a fur coat. He reluctantly agrees, but she refuses to accept a cheque.

Charlie arranges for other bidders to come to the auction, including Wendl (a long-time bitter rival of Sparta's) and Armstrong and Armstrong's American clients, Mindel and Sweeting. At the auction, Charlie starts playing off the three bidders against and with each other, to his great profit, obtaining enough in this underhanded way to pay Nicky. When she demands £150, however, Charlie goes to Sir John and persuades him to perform the first good deed of his life and give him the vase for nothing (the rightful owner having died and left no heir). Charlie does give a delighted Nicky the promised £100 anyway. With some of the rest, Charlie buys his wife a long-promised fur coat.

• Peter Finch as Charlie
• Adrienne Corri as Nicky
• Rosalie Crutchley as Bella
• Finlay Currie as Abe Sparta
• Meier Tzelniker as Wendl
• Ernest Thesiger as Sir John
• Wilfrid Lawson as Charlie's Father
• Anthony Nicholls as Auctioneer
• Alfie Bass as Fred Frames
• Guy Middleton as Armstrong
• Vic Wise as Sweeting
• Mark Baker as Mindel
• Jane Wenham as Dobbie
• Richard O'Sullivan as Charlie (as a boy)
• John Le Mesurier as Mr. Toshack (uncredited)
• Leonard Williams as Edward H. Whybrow (uncredited)

The film was based on a novel Make Me an Offer by William Mankowitz which was published in 1952. It was Mankowitz's first novel and was autobiographical – he had been an antique dealer since 1947.[5] The book became a best seller.[6]

The lead role went to Peter Finch. It was Peter Finch's first starring role in a British film.[7] (He had just made Elephant Walk and Father Brown.[8]) In April 1954 Diane Cilento was announced as his co star but she does not appear in the final film.[9] She was replaced by Rosalind Crutchley.[10]

Filming started 22 April 1954 at Beaconsfield Studios.[11] They had the film finished by August 1954 when Finch called it:

Without a doubt the best film I've ever acted in. It is adult. One might say, if one weren't a little frightened of using words, truly artistic. It is the longest part I've ever had, since I'm in every scene but one. So if anyone takes a dislike to me in the first five minutes, he is in for a bad evening. Director Cyril Frankel is. I think, one of the most able and most stimulating directors I've ever worked for. In fact, the whole of 'Group Three' Studios, where we made the film, is exciting and alive with rising talent and new ideas. It is fun because they all know they're going somewhere. Rosalie Crutchley, who plays my wife in 'Make Me An Offer,' is a splendid actress.[12]

The film was screened for London critics in December 1954.[13]

TV Guide dismissed the film as "About as much fun as watching a grandfather clock";[14] whereas Sky Movies called it an "Engaging comedy", with an "amusing script", concluding, "Far from least, there's that splendid veteran Ernest Thesiger, here as a great-great-grandfather whose past life has not been exactly without reproach...".[15] Bosley Crowther, the critic for The New York Times described it and another film on a double bill as "unpretentious British comedies."[16]

The book was adapted into a 1959 musical from Joan Littlewood's Theatre.[17] The musical was successful and there was talk it would be adapted into a film.[18]

The novel was adapted for the BBC in 1966.[19]

• Make Me an Offer at IMDb
• Complete copy of book of musical at Internet Archive