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) 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?
Find this frock flick at:
Love the play and love this version. Thank you for a lovely reminder that it is time to watch it again.
I love this movie! And Margaret Rutherford is my queen. The costumes are spun-sugar sweet!
Thanks to Celia Lake’s books, every time I see casting aspersions, I think “casting nasturtiums” and snortle to myself
I love this version. It’s perfectly cast and seems to capture Wilde’s wit better than any version (either on stage or filmed) than any I’ve ever seen. And Dame Edith Evans is the definitive Lady Bracknell “a handbaaag?” And how lovely to see bright color!
Such a fun and funny play! I have loved Dorothy Turin ever since I saw her play Anne Boleyn in THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY Vlll, and it’s so nice to see her other roles. She also played Queen Henrietta Maria in CROMWELL.
She also played Peter Pan on stage opposite Eric “Soames Forsyte” Porter as Captain Hook!
She seems to have specialised in playing ‘Queens who help make life more difficult’ (Not least through being Too French for Comfort) which is hilariously specific.
I love the play, and taught it many times. This is definitely the most accurate version to date, in terms of using most of the script, and using classical actors who had mostly played their roles on stage before filming. (Can you imagine John Gielgud as Jack, with Dame Edith as Lady B?) Joan Greenwood is as brilliant and acid as her clothes – the tea-party scene is superb. Iwas disappointed by the recent Ncuti Gatwa version, which took the subtext and made it the only thing the play is about. I saw Maggie Smith play Lady Bracknell on stage back in the 80s – stupendous.
It’s the absolute pinnacle of Wilde’s work; nothing is wasted, throwaway lines in one scene become plot points in another, phrases echo all down the play, twists in the plot become logically inevitable. Brilliant and unforgettable, for all its advanced years.
This is by far the best version. And it’s emphasised at the start that it’s a filmed play, with the Acts delineated. The actors know exactly what they’re doing. It’s deliciously funny, the acidity in every line. Dame Edith’s Lady Bracknell was a creation that no actor could top for many years. Nobody has put as many vowels into “handbag” before or since. I’d have loved to have seen Maggie Smith’s version, though.
The costumes are eye-watering, and there’s lots of slippery, shiny satin.
Any chance of looking into Joan Greenwood’s other film roles? Surely Kind Hearts and Coronets is worth a look!
And the character is Ernest, not earnest! You fell right into Wilde’s trap. Is Ernest earnest?
Oh yes! Kind Hearts and Coronets! Wonderful costumes and performances which are incredible. And I can listen to Joan Greenwood’s voice anytime!
Seconding the suggestion of Kind Hearts And Coronets (which actually had a loose modern-setting remake recently, How To Make A Killing). I love that movie, great dark comedy. I remember watching it at Christmas 2020 when I was home alone and needed cheering up.
Brought to you by wonderful Technicolor! #BringbackTechnicolor!
Anything with Joan Greenwood in it is worth watching.