Cary Grant had a tough young life in Bristol so maybe some of this films story reminded him. Pity the version I saw was not the full 80 minutes it would have been better to judge rather than this 61 minute version which seems a bit rushed at the end when regrettably Mary Brian forgot her English accent and it became a bit 'stagy' - a pity because the supporting actors did a good job I thought. Cary Grant was capable of good dramatic rolls though rarely got them and in this film he wasn't able to show his ability enough. I'm glad; however this film was made in England rather than America as it did add something to the authenticity of the few exteriors and general atmosphere of the story.

Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is one of the idle rich and is challenged by his doctor Sir James Alroyd (Peter Gawthorne) to earn his living for a full year without dipping into his personal wealth. He takes on the challenge and guess what?.....he finds love....This film ticks along at a nice pace as Cary Grant tries his hand at a couple of jobs. We encounter funny situations as he uses his wealth to provide for those that he encounters, eg, the order for 100 fireplaces and the moment he is sacked as a chauffeur and immediately buys the company and sacks the manager back and puts his chauffeur buddy in charge. There is also a funny situation when he finds himself back at his own flat which is being rented by a couple of crooks. We watch as the new tenants smoke his cigars and drink his port without realizing who he is.Overall, this film is an entertaining 65 minutes. It says 80 minutes on the cover of the DVD that I bought, but it isn't. It's lightweight and amusing.

Fabulously wealthy Cary Grant (as Ernest Bliss) is depressed. Life among the idle rich can be a bore, and Mr. Grant hasn't figured out a way to make it exciting. He goes to a doctor (Peter Gawthorne), who rattles Grant by refusing to shake his hand. The prescription is for Grant to give up his wealth for a year, and earn his living from the bottom. Grant pounds the pavement as a stove salesman, and settles into his job as a chauffeur. At the former, he meets and begins to date pretty Mary Brian (as Frances Clayton).The quest Grant takes really isn't all that amazing, and the romantic subplot sluggishly (and obviously) carries the day. It might have been better to have Grant leave the doctor's office angry, and develop amnesia. He never really abandons the use of his money, as you'll see - though the script argues the point with a caveat. The film uses an abundance of dissolves, and has an interesting close-up sequence featuring Grant emoting. He was close with co-star Ms. Brian, who had been more popular as a silent film ingénue.**** The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss (7/28/36) Alfred Zeisler ~ Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne, Henry Kendall

Following Cary Grant's star-making supporting turn alongside Katharine Hepburn in SYLVIA SCARLETT (1935), he returned to his native land – England – for this one film (based on a popular play that had already been adapted for the screen as a Silent in 1920), and which makes for curious viewing even after all these years.Grant is always worth watching, and he's fresh and appealing in this harmless but dated Capraesque comedy – a wealthy young man is bored by his lifestyle and places a bet with a celebrated doctor that he can earn his living for a year – but, as was the case with the majority of British films at the time, technical quality is lacking when compared to the more polished Hollywood product.Interestingly, the star's role – where Grant is forced to deceive the leading lady, whom he loves – would be expounded upon in subsequent films; here, however, the narrative is allowed to turn maudlin towards the end…and, in any case, the version I watched (under the misleading U.S. moniker, THE AMAZING ADVENTURE) has been trimmed to a little over an hour from the original length of 80 minutes!