The Importance of Being Earnest

Name: The Importance of Being Earnest
Director: Anthony Asquith
Released: 1952
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 7.4
Cast: Michael Redgrave, Richard Wattis, Michael Denison, Joan Greenwood, Dorothy Tutin

1952 · 95 MIN · IMDB 7.4 · 6,570 VOTES · DIR. Anthony Asquith

Overview

Algernon Moncrieff is surprised to discover that his affluent friend -- whom he knows as "Ernest" -- is actually named Jack Worthing. Jack fabricated his alter ego in order to escape his country estate where he takes care of his charge, Cecily Cardew. Cecily believes that Ernest is Jack's wayward brother and is keen on his raffish lifestyle. Algernon, seeing an opportunity, assumes Ernest's identity and sneaks off to woo Cecily.

Dialogue Timeline — 1,650 lines

A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE

00:01:46 Eating as usual I see, Algy!

00:05:13 Charming old lady she is, too. Lives at Tunbridge Wells.

00:08:40 for I have been really engaged to dine at Aunt Augusta's for more than a week.

00:12:48 - No cucumbers! - No, sir.

00:16:15 Darling!

00:19:55 An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise

00:24:04 Found!

00:28:05 Oh, Cecily is not a silly romantic girl, I am happy to say.

00:32:03 and couldn't possibly have happened.

00:35:44 He has brought his luggage with him.

00:39:32 I should have remembered that when one is going to lead an entirely new life

00:43:31 But I must say I think Brother John's coldness

00:47:39 But pray, Ernest, don't stop. I delight in taking down from dictation.

00:51:22 What a perfect angel you are!

00:55:09 Well, I don't see much fun in being christened along with other babies.

00:59:22 In fact

01:03:38 there are no lengths to which I would not go.

01:07:09 Your brother is a little off colour, isn't he, dear Jack? And not a bad thing either.

01:11:08 There are principles at stake that one cannot surrender.

01:14:40 Three addresses always inspire confidence

01:18:15 Impossible! He was at Oxford.

01:22:13 As your present mood seems to be one peculiarly secular

01:26:33 The bag is undoubtedly mine.

01:30:23 the vital Importance of Being Earnest.

Cast & Characters

Michael Redgrave Ernest Worthing Richard Wattis Seton Michael Denison Algernon Moncrieff Joan Greenwood Gwendolen Fairfax Dorothy Tutin Cecily Cardew Edith Evans Lady Augusta Bracknell Margaret Rutherford Miss Laetitia Prism Miles Malleson Canon Chasuble Walter Hudd Lane Aubrey Mather Merriman

Dialogue Record

Lines indexed1,650

Dialogue density17.4 lines / min

First line00:01:46

Final line01:30:23

Production Record

DirectorAnthony Asquith

LanguageEnglish

IMDb votes6,570