The Clog from OzOscar Wilde
August 6th 2008 10:25
“Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years. Lady Dumbelton is an instance in point. To my own knowledge, she has been thirty-five ever since she arrived at the age of forty, which was many years ago now.”[/I]
Oscar Wilde – The importance of Being Earnest (1895)
The first time I heard this great quote was when I saw the movie adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play The importance of being earnest (the play dates from 1895, the movie from 1952). It is therefore almost impossible to think of this quote without the over-the-top, but ever so perfect and legendary delivery of Edith Evans, who played the role of Lady Bracknell in this movie version.
Edith Evans’ creation has become famous in its own right, especially her outrage when she hears that main character Algernon was found left in a in a handbag at the station platform when he was a baby. ‘A handbag?’ asks Lady Bracknell in a combination of surprise and hardly disguised horror. The scene isn’t half as funny without Evans’ camp and high-pitched interrogative remark.
Over the years I have read all major works written by Oscar Wilde. The portrait of Dorian Gray - sparkling with some of the most delicious dialogue ever written - has the most quotable lines, De Profundis – Wilde’s bitter but beautiful letter to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas , written from prison where he ended up because of his relationship with Douglas, is unmatched in style. But the above quote – which strangely enough is never to be found amongst Wilde’s most famous lines - will always be my favourite and I think its relevance will be everlasting. [/COLOR]
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Oscar Wilde – The importance of Being Earnest (1895)
The first time I heard this great quote was when I saw the movie adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s play The importance of being earnest (the play dates from 1895, the movie from 1952). It is therefore almost impossible to think of this quote without the over-the-top, but ever so perfect and legendary delivery of Edith Evans, who played the role of Lady Bracknell in this movie version.
Edith Evans’ creation has become famous in its own right, especially her outrage when she hears that main character Algernon was found left in a in a handbag at the station platform when he was a baby. ‘A handbag?’ asks Lady Bracknell in a combination of surprise and hardly disguised horror. The scene isn’t half as funny without Evans’ camp and high-pitched interrogative remark.
Over the years I have read all major works written by Oscar Wilde. The portrait of Dorian Gray - sparkling with some of the most delicious dialogue ever written - has the most quotable lines, De Profundis – Wilde’s bitter but beautiful letter to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas , written from prison where he ended up because of his relationship with Douglas, is unmatched in style. But the above quote – which strangely enough is never to be found amongst Wilde’s most famous lines - will always be my favourite and I think its relevance will be everlasting. [/COLOR]
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