If ShowModal returns true, the app hangs...

That's because you've turned control over to wxWindows, but there is nothing telling the app to die (basically, you need to $app->SetTopWindow($dialog) if you want the application to exit when the window is destroyed).

but I still think returning false from OnInit should be perfectly valid.

I'd say I agree with you (even though I've never had the need/urge to do that), but I suspect there might be a real good reason for this (a carp would be fine with me -- you should definetly inquire on the list).

update: I almost forgot, it's called wxPerl, not WxPerl ;)

MJD says "you can't just make shit up and expect the computer to know what you mean, retardo!"

I run a Win32 PPM repository for perl 5.6.x and 5.8.x -- I take requests (README).

** The third rule of perl club is a statement of fact: pod is sexy.