An Ideal Husband (1947)

A prominent politician is preparing to expose a financial scandal. But then a woman who has invested heavily in the shady venture threatens to uncover a damaging secret in the politician's ... See full summary »

Director:

Alexander Korda

Writers:

Lajos Biró (screenplay) (as Lajos Biro), Oscar Wilde (play)

Stars:

Paulette Goddard, Michael Wilding, Diana Wynyard

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Paulette Goddard	...	Mrs. Laura Cheveley
Michael Wilding	...	Viscount Arthur Goring
Diana Wynyard	...	Lady Gertrude Chiltern
Hugh Williams	...	Sir Robert Chiltern
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Earl of Caversham, Goring's Father (as Sir C. Aubrey Smith)
Glynis Johns	...	Miss Mabel Chiltern, Sir Robert's sister
Constance Collier	...	Lady Markby
Christine Norden	...	Mrs. Margaret Marchmont
Harriette Johns	...	Olivia, Countess of Basildon
Michael Medwin	...	Duke of Nonesuch
Michael Anthony	...	Viscomte de Nanjac
Peter Hobbes	...	Mr. Eddie Montford
John Clifford	...	Mr. Mason, the Chiltern Butler
Fred Groves	...	Phipps, Goring's Butler
Michael Ward	...	Mr. Tommy Tafford

Storyline

A prominent politician is preparing to expose a financial scandal. But then a woman who has invested heavily in the shady venture threatens to uncover a damaging secret in the politician's past if he exposes the speculation as a fraud. His problem is compounded by his wife's intolerance of the slightest character flaws.

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Plot Keywords:

politician | past | top secret document | secretary | parliament | 

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Taglines:

"An Ideal Husband has to look to his future...a woman has to look to her past!"

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un mari idéal

Filming Locations:

Hyde Park, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 125 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vivien Leigh was originally intended for the role of Laura Cheveley.

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Quotes

Mrs. Laura Cheveley: An acquaintance that begins with a compliment, is sure to develop into a real friendship. It starts in the right manner.

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Connections

Remade as An Ideal Husband (1999)

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Soundtracks

Beau Brummel
(uncredited)
Music by Edward Elgar

User Reviews

More Style Than Substance, But Works Pretty Well

This adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story "An Ideal Husband" works pretty well as light entertainment despite some shortcomings. It focuses on the dilemma of a prominent British politician, who wants to expose a financial fraud but who has been threatened with personal ruin if he does. The plot that follows does not really fulfill all of the potential of the situation, but that is probably a deliberate decision, as the story focuses more on the sights, atmosphere, and ways of upper-class society.

It often moves slowly in order to call attention to the sometimes extravagant habits of the characters; sometimes this is effective, sometimes less so. Once it gets going, the pace picks up a little. There are some moments of good subtle humor and commentary, with some of the funniest scenes perhaps being those with Michael Wilding as a wastrel son being confronted by father C. Aubrey Smith. Paulette Goddard is pretty good in an underplayed role as the villainness.

Overall, it scores higher on style than on substance, but perhaps that is exactly as intended, and it is entertaining enough to be worth seeing.