The Importance of Being Earnest is a 1952 British comedy drama film adaptation of the 1895 play by Oscar Wilde.

Interwoven in their storylines are two romance-stricken ladies, each possessing an unusual allegiance to the manliness of the name Ernest.

London man-about-town Jack Worthing, who hides behind the name Ernest, is an aristocrat from the country with uncertain lineage.

Lady Bracknell will not allow her daughter "— a girl brought up with the utmost care — to marry into a cloak-room, and form an alliance with a parcel."

While Algy and Cecily are getting acquainted in the parlour, Jack arrives in black mourning clothes and informs Miss Prism that his brother, Ernest, is dead.

As everyone gathers in the drawing room, Lady Bracknell recognises Miss Prism as her late sister's baby's governess from twenty-eight years before.

The film is largely faithful to Wilde's text, although it divides some of the acts into shorter scenes in different locations.

[5] The film is noted for its acting, although the parts played by Redgrave and Denison called for actors ten years younger.

[6] A. H. Weiler called the casting of Dame Edith Evans in the role of Lady Bracknell "true genius".