MovieChat Forums > The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) Discussion > Michael Denison steals the show

Michael Denison steals the show

posted 18 years ago by angelofvic
10 replies | jump to latest

I just saw this on TCM here in the U.S., and just had to comment that Michael Denison completely steals this movie. He is devilish, handsome, witty, and charming, and has the most riveting and engagingly broad, arch grin on his face the whole time. I couldn't take my eyes (and ears) off of him. His delivery is perfect and he has just the right look for the role. I really wish Denison had been in more major roles in more major motion pictures that are shown in the U.S. He left me wanting a lot more.

I can't say the same about the rest of the cast. Michael Redgrave is too old, tired, and boring; the ladies are stilted and mannered; and Dame Edith is just too way over-the-top for me to endure, including that horrible hooting Victorian upper-class way of pronouncing everything. Can that possibly be more annoying? I suppose this is a regional thing, but as an American, who likes things said efficiently and clearly, I found it unbearable.

On the whole, I liked reading the play much more than viewing this slow-footed movie, with the very very definite exception of watching and listening to Michael Denison as Algy. I could have watched and listened to him for hours.

[–] Mimi38 17 years ago

On Michael Denison I completely agree with you. I'm afraid that I am unable to do so for the rest of the cast, I thought they were all excellent.

[–] plibby 17 years ago

I also found Michael Redgrave to be miscast, but on Dame Edith I cannot disagree more (respectfully of course!) She is supposed to be an exaggerated representation of British upper-class prudishness (remember the play by Oscar Wilde is a satire.) I adored her delivery, as it completely embodies the character.

[–] leeall 15 years ago

I loved Michael Denison also. My favorite though was Margaret Rutherford.
She was just hilarious.

[–] pedro4300 15 years ago

Oh come on, this movie was owned by Edith Evans!

[–] HarlowMGM 13 years ago

Michael Denison is excellent alright but I completely disagree with your comments about the rest of the cast whom are at the least his equal, most especially Dame Edith Evans in one of the alltime great supporting performances in film history IMO. I'm American as well and I love this movie and all of the performances. I certainly don't find it "slow-footed", if anything it seemed to be over much too quickly as I enjoyed every minute of it.

Michael Redgrave is a bit mature for the 29 or so he is supposed to be (as we learn into the picture) but his performance was very good and I loved the young ladies, Joan Greenwood and Dorothy Tutin both of whom, like Michael Denison, I couldn't recall seeing before (although I do now realize Ms. Greenwood was also in TOM JONES).

[–] megatosspot 12 years ago

Dorothy Tutin was criminally underused in film, I think - later she was in the 'I'm Sorry I'll read That Again' cast (I think that was the title) and clearly had quite the knack for comedy.

[–] Lamerzi 9 years ago

@angelofvic Your views closely match mine. The film was generally OK but the acting stiffer, more serious and less played for laughs than what I had in mind reading the play. Perhaps would've benefitted if the director reminded the cast this is a comedy not a drama.

[–] elena-28 9 years ago

@angelofvic Your views closely match mine. The film was generally OK but the acting stiffer, more serious and less played for laughs than what I had in mind reading the play. Perhaps would've benefitted if the director reminded the cast this is a comedy not a drama.

I am going to disagree on this: For me, if the actors had played for laughs instead of straight, all the wit would have been wrung out. I feel that the dialogue is so lovely and apt that it doesn't need to be fed by playing for comedy: that the straighter it's played, the funnier it becomes. (I do love this movie, and this play, and Oscar Wilde in general, and think the entire cast was just wonderful).

[–] stevekaczynski 7 years ago

The well-bred cat fight between Cecily and Gwendolyn over tea was brilliant. Cecily to butler: "Hand THAT to Miss Fairfax!" as if the slice of cake is a letter bomb. No, the cast was excellent, not just Denison.

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Preposterous. Dame Edith is considered the definitive Lady Brachnell. If anyone stole the show it would have to be the delightful Margaret Rutherford.