The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

#1

The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:29pm

Just a heads up --

TCM is airing the definitive 1952 film version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" tonight at 8. It preserves the legendary stage performances of Sir Michael Redgrave (as Jack), Joan Greenwood as Gwendolen, Dame Dorothy Tutin as Cecily, Dame Margaret Rutherford as Prism and especially the GREAT Dame Edith Evans as the formidable Lady Bracknell, who set the standard for how the famous role should be played (every syllable out of her mouth gets a laugh -- she's amazing). This is probably the single funniest play ever written in English and you'll never see it performed better (I own the DVD).

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#2

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:35pm

Margo--how many syllables in Edith Evans's line reading of the line "A handbag?"

Last time I watched, I counted 7 before I collapsed laughing.

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#3

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:37pm

"To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness."

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#4

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:49pm

"To be born, or at any rate bred, in a handbag--whether it had handles or not!--seems to me to display a contempt for the ordinary decencies of family life that reminds one of the worst excesses of the Frrrrrench Rrrrrrevolution. And I presume you know what THAT unfortunate movement led to?"

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#5

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:16pm

Yeah, I'm seeing the Peter Hall production at BAM this Friday that stars Lynn Redgrave and I'm keeping my expectations low. Word from out of town has been mixed.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#6

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:49pm

Margo - Do you know if that production was also staged in Houston at the Alley Theatre? I know Lynn has performed there for years and Sir Peter was on the University of Houston faculty when I attended. I saw his revival of Amadeus and left with mixed feelings. Personally, I can't bring myself to spend the time on another production of Ernest unless I could direct it myself. Other than the film, I think it's the only way I could possibly be satisfied with the show.

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#7

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:02pm

The film on DVD is a special treat. Joan Greenwood is always delicious.

I saw a production in London at the Haymarket that starred Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth Bucket) as Bracknell several years ago. She was good.

#8

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:07pm

This particular production with Lynn Redgrave has been touring the country for a few months -- Los Angeles, Columbus, Chicago, New Haven, and Boston -- and I don't believe that there was a stop in Houston. Perhaps, though, Hall and Redgrave did an earlier production in Houston while they were both there. I don't know.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#9

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:12pm

Jose - It's "Boo-kay". Patricia Routledge as Lady Bracknell? Tempting...

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#10

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:19pm

MMatt, "Boo-kay," but of course. I actually feel the same about other productions after the experience of the Redgrave-Greenwood-Evans film. It is such a treat to the ears, and the color is extravagant on the DVD transfer.

#11

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 4:30pm

That reminds me. Not only are the performances of the film perfection, but EVERY aspect of the film is delicious. The costumes, the color, the sets, the props. It is one of the most perfect films ever captured.

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"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#12

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:34pm

So I watched it again tonight after being encouraged by this little thread. Delightful as ever and clever fun.

"...though I asked most distinctly for bread and butter, you have given me cake."

"When one is in the town one amues oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people."

#13

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:37pm

I watched it, too...for the first time, I'm embarassed to admit. I had seen other productions of it before, but what a delight this was! And handbaaaaaag had me laughing for the rest of the film. Thanks a lot, guys.

#14

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:39pm

One of these days I'll get TCM.

Same Dorothy Tutin who played Ann Boleyn for BBC - Six Wives of Henry VIII?

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" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."

#15

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:44pm

My favorite play Sad I missed this.

"Nothing could induce me to part with Bunbury."

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"While some feel it is a film related question, I seem to think it may be a 'I am thinking of losing my winkie' sort of question."
-cheezedoodle

#16

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 10:44pm

thanks for posting this! i started my dvd recorder in time. i have never seen this movie!

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RIP glebby <3

#17

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:16pm

JACK: ...I'll bet you anything you like that half an hour after they've met they will be calling each other sister!

ALGERNON: Woman only do that when they have called each other a lot of other things first.

#18

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:31pm

Has anyone here seen the production that aired on Great Performances on PBS in the late 80's? Wendy Hiller was a fantastic Lady Bracknell! It's not available on video or DVD, but my mother recorded it from TV back then, and I still go back to it every so often. Such a shame it's not available.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0180758/

#19

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:34pm

What a coincidence, I just started reading the play earlier this afternoon. According to my tvguide though, it's not playing right now? Oh well. I guess I'll just curl up with good ol' Oscar Wilde tonight. Just out or curiosity, does the movie follow the play closely?

#20

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/19/06 at 11:38pm

Pretty much exactly as I recall.

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#21

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:39am

Margo is correct. It is pretty much a faithful adaptation. Some scenes and dialogues exhanges have been rearranged with some dialogue edits.

for example, the play opens in Algenon's flat on Half-Moon Street in Mayfair prior to Lady Bracknell coming to tea with Gwendolyn in tow. Whereas in this film it opens in Jack's flat in the Albany as he is bathing, and then Algenon is there when Jack comes into his drawing room afer dressing. The dialogue that takes place in Act One in Algenon's flat is reposition among those two locations in the film.

#22

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/20/06 at 12:40am

It was on too early on the West Coast for me to catch it, but a wonderful film I own anyway. Now I'll have to pop it in again for a viewing.

Glebb...how the hell can you not have TCM? It's as necessary as water.

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"My dreams, watching me said, one to the other...this life has let us down."

#23

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/20/06 at 8:21am

I know.

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" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."

#24

re: The Importance of Being Earnest Tonight on TCM

Posted: 4/20/06 at 10:32am

Bumming I missed it---have to buy the DVD!!

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"NOT MY DAUGHTER, YOU BITCH!"