The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

Anthony Asquith (writer)
Oscar Wilde (play)

Release Date:

15 October 1952 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

They don't come any wilder than Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners, morals and morality!

Plot:

Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff are two men that are both pretending to be someone they are not.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Play

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 16

2:15 PM

TCM

Cast

Michael Redgrave	...	Jack Worthing
Richard Wattis	...	Seton
Michael Denison	...	Algernon Moncrieff
Walter Hudd	...	Lane
Edith Evans	...	Lady Augusta Bracknell
Joan Greenwood	...	Gwendolen Fairfax
Dorothy Tutin	...	Cecily Cardew
Margaret Rutherford	...	Miss Letitia Prism
Miles Malleson	...	Canon Chasuble
Aubrey Mather	...	Merriman

Also Known As:

Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:G | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

British Film-Makers

Trivia:

John Gielgud was offered the role of Jack Worthing in this film. Even though it was one of his signature roles on stage, he turned it down because he disliked filming.

Quotes:

Lady Bracknell: I would strongly advise you, Mr. Worthing, to try and acquire some relations as soon as possible, and to make a definite effort to produce at any rate one parent, of either sex, before the season is quite over.
Jack Worthing: Well, I don't see how I could possibly manage to do that, Lady Bracknell. I can produce the hand-bag at any moment. It is in my dressing-room at home. I really think that should satisfy you, Lady Bracknell.
Lady Bracknell: Me, sir! What has it to do with me? You can hardly imagine that I and Lord Bracknell would dream of allowing our only daughter - a girl brought up with the utmost care - to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel? Good morning, Mr. Worthing!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nanny: Homie-Work (#5.17)" (1998)

Magnificent

An hour and a half of sheer delightful Wildean wit and word play. Lush Technicolor, brilliant acting. Edith Evans steals the show by going over the top by carrying her 19th century style of stage acting just as far as it can go, i.e., to the point of parody. I haven't yet seen the 2002 version, but i don't see how it can compare.