The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

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

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Stars:

Michael Redgrave, Richard Wattis, Michael Denison

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | cerebral | love triangle | 19th century | love | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 1952 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Ernst sein ist alles

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film-Makers, Javelin Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The director, Anthony Asquith, was the son of H.H. Asquith who, as Home Secretary, brought the charges of immorality which led to Wilde's imprisonment.

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Quotes

Jack Worthing: I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays. You can't go anywhere without meeting clever people. The thing has become an absolute public nuisance. I wish to goodness we still had a few fools left.
Algernon Moncreiff: We have.
Jack Worthing: I should extremely like to meet them. What do they talk about?
Algernon Moncreiff: The fools? Oh, about the clever people, of course.
Jack Worthing: What fools!

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Connections

Referenced in Girls on Top: Mr. Yummy Brownie (1986)

User Reviews

The importance of being Oscar

Oscar Wilde's language is exquisitely spoken by the English cast that made, what should be considered, the definitive version of the play. The most important thing is the poetry all these actors were able to bring to the film, which reflects a bygone era; it is music to one's ears.

Anthony Asquith directed and adapted the play in ways that it never feels it's filmed theater. The director achieves a coup in casting Dame Edith Evans as Lady Bracknell, in one of her best appearances on the screen. Her Augusta is just what one expects a Victorian English lady to be like. Although Ms. Evans is not on screen all the time, she completely dominates the action. Even if one knows Ms. Evans is giving an exaggerated portrait of a society lady, she is delightful to watch as one stays riveted to her movements, facial expressions in making this woman come alive for us.

Michael Redgrave and Michael Denison, two dashing young actors, at the time, are a joy to see. The fastidious Jack, and his friend, Algenon, have excellent opportunities in which to shine. The same goes for the two female leads, Joan Greenwood and Dorothy Tutin, are perfectly cast as Gwendoline and Cecily, the love interests of Jack and Algenon. The redoubtable Margaret Rutherford is seen as Miss Prism, who is the key to solving the mystery in the plot.

"The Importance of Being Earnest" is a classic that was made at the legendary Pinewood studios and it shows the British cinema at its best.