Last year, I saw this play in London with Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell and Olly Alexander as Earnest. Since I’d read the play before and seen the 2002 movie version, I rooted around online and found The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) for comparison since I was in a Wilde mood.
While the 2002 movie and the 1952 one are about the same runtime, this earlier version sticks more closely to the play. Without the added scenes, that means there’s only a couple costume changes. The main characters are seen in Jack/Earnest’s London rooms one one day, then at his country estate the next. This emphasizes the “drawing room comedy” feel, IMO. The fewer costumes doesn’t mean they’re less historically accurate, at least in style. The colors, on the other hand, are definitely wild!
Sure aniline dyes to create colors not found in nature were used by the mid-19th century, but these are a little insane. Super fun! Just be prepared for some eye-searing, especially if you’ve been watching more recent frock flicks that all use mud for dye. Costume designer Beatrice Dawson had a long career before and after this production, and she knew what she was doing with color.
Jack/Earnest (Michael Redgrave) and Algernon (Michael Denison) have smartly contrasting outfits, with Jack/Earnest dressing a bit more dandy-ish. Their repartee is excellent, as you might guess from the look on Algernon’s face here.
He starts out in a green damask dressing gown, while Algernon wears a tweedy check suit.
The ladies steal the show, especially Lady Bracknell (Edith Evans) in vivid purple. Her gown has so much going on, with the ruching around the bust and the embroidered neckline and sleeves. Gwendolen (Joan Greenwood ) is no slouch in acid green.
Everyone gets great hats too! They’re not just for losers.
When the action moves to the country, we meet Cecily (Dorothy Tutin) in a sweet, youthful ensemble of white and blue.
Gwendolen arrives in lavish pink. Check out all the layers and ruffles on her parasol!
The embroidery on her gown makes a statement.
You can see who’s the innocent ingénue and who’s the more cultured, opinionated lady.
I love Jack/Earnest’s white suit with that pink/black/blue striped trim. It makes me think of candy-colored version of a school or cricket uniform.
Lady Bracknell arrives to cast aspersions, wearing a grey mantle with a lovely curled collar.
Even Miss Prism (Margaret Rutherford)Â gets a fancy outfit with a huge lace collar on her blouse and striped trim at her cuffs.
What do you think of this version of Oscar Wilde’s play?
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