The Importance of Being Earnest (1952 film)

The Importance of Being Earnest
Directed by	Anthony Asquith
Written by	Oscar Wilde Anthony Asquith
Produced by	Teddy Baird Earl St. John
Starring	Michael Redgrave Michael Denison Edith Evans Joan Greenwood Dorothy Tutin Margaret Rutherford Miles Malleson
Music by	Benjamin Frankel
Release dates	2 June, 1952 22 December, 1952 (NYC)
Running time	95 min.
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Importance of Being Earnest is a 1952 British film adaptation of the play by Oscar Wilde. It was directed by Anthony Asquith, who also adapted the screenplay, and was produced by Teddy Baird.

Adaptation

The film is largely faithful to Wilde's text, although it divides some of the acts into shorter scenes in different locations.

Edith Evans's outraged delivery of the line "A handbag?" has become legendary. As actor Ian McKellen has written, it is a performance "so acclaimed and strongly remembered that it inhibits audiences and actors years later" providing a challenge for any actress taking on the role of Lady Bracknell.

Awards and nominations

The film received a BAFTA nomination for Dorothy Tutin as Most Promising Newcomer and a Golden Lion nomination for Anthony Asquith at the Venice Film Festival.

Cast

• Michael Redgrave as John Worthing
• Michael Denison as Algernon
• Edith Evans as Lady Bracknell
• Joan Greenwood as Gwendolen
• Margaret Rutherford as Miss Prism
• Miles Malleson as Canon Chasuble
• Dorothy Tutin as Cecily

See also

• The Importance of Being Earnest
• The Importance of Being Earnest (2002 film)

External links

• The Importance of Being Earnest at IMDb
• Criterion Collection essay by Charles Dennis
• Classic Film Guide review
• The Importance of Being Earnest at Silver Sirens