The Importance of Being Earnest (1952)

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:

Sun. Nov. 29

8:00 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:

Jack Worthing: Algy, you don't suppose that Gwendolyn will become like her mother - in about one hundred and fifty years, do you?
Algernon Moncrieff: All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his.

Movie Connections:

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

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.