AN IDEAL HUSBAND
UK, 1947, 92 minutes, Colour.
Paulette Goddard, Michael Wilding, Hugh Williams, Diana Wynyard, C. Aubrey Smith, Glynis Johns, Constance Collier, Christine Norden.
Directed by Alexander Korda.
An Ideal Husband was brought to the screen by Alexander Korda and London, filmed just over fifty years after its first staging in London. It was also staged after World War Two, giving audiences a glimpse of the late 19th century theatre as well as the wit and wisdom of Oscar Wilde and a look back at politics and integrity at the end of the 19th century.
The production is very handsome, some outdoor sequences but largely with the elaborate sets of Vincent Korda. Costumes are by royal photographer Cecil Beaton (My Fair Lady). A range of popular music from "After the Ball" to the waltzes of Strauss is used as a background.
The cast is particularly English with Hugh Williams and Diana Wynyard in the central roles. The film was an early vehicle for Michael Wilding, exercising his charm, as he did in many films with Anna Neagle. Glynis Johns is the ingénue, Mabel. C. Aubrey Smith came back from Hollywood where he had portrayed staunch Englishmen to play Lord Goring's father.
The film is a straightforward version of the play, having the wit and the language of Wilde, but presenting its themes much more in black and white than the later version. In fact, the later version is far more complex, a more complex screenplay and the treatment of the issues about the getting back of letters, the integrity, Gertrude Chilton's having to learn to understand human nature and compromise. Diana Wynyard and Hugh Williams are older than Jeremy Northam and Cate Blanchett. Michael Wilding is very genial as Lord Goring, an affable unemployed fop compared with the detachment and disdain and laziness of Rupert Everett's interpretation of the role. One feels that Rupert Everett's interpretation is far closer to Wilde. Michael Wilding is too likable.
The issues, however, are very clear about personal integrity, honesty and politics, the basis of wealth for the aristocratic families of England, doing the right thing and trying to be honest.
1. The Oscar Wilde of 1895 transferred to post-war 1940s? The play, opening it out, the characters, the issues?
2. London society, the stately homes, parliament, the clubs? The traditional musical score and the Strauss waltzes?
3. The title, ideals and perfection, moral issues, righteousness - but the need to be able to understand and forgive? Robert Chilton as an ideal husband? Mabel's comment on not wanting Lord Goring to be an ideal husband?
4. Oscar Wilde's language, wit, humour, wisdom, insight?
5. The perennial nature of politics and political ambition, 19th century England, honour? The inexperience of Sir Robert at twenty-two, the baron, business greed? The need for integrity?
6. Personal integrity, errors of youth, taking responsibility, lies, misinterpretation of letters and events?
7. The opening, the riding, the military band? The season, attitudes? People wanting to be seen, parties? Marriage?
8. Robert Chilton as the centre of the film, his marriage to Gertrude, it being the perfect marriage? His reputation, ambitions, future? His relationship to Gertrude, protection of Mabel? His activities, the party? His meeting Mrs Cheveley at the party, her putting the situation clearly to him, his moral dilemma, trying to argue Mrs Cheveley out of her action? His friendship with Arthur, Arthur's continued support, inviting him to his home, Arthur getting back the note? Mrs Cheveley's visit to the home, telling Gertrude? His reaction, his having lied, his response to Gertrude's revulsion? His going to Arthur's? The explanation of the baron, the letter, his past activity? Gertrude making him write the letter to Mrs Cheveley? His decision to be honourable, finding Mrs Cheveley at Arthur's home? His speech, the acclaim, his standing for what was right? The note, his thinking that it was from Gertrude, Arthur not disillusioning him? The promotion, his resignation, Arthur's persuading Gertrude to support him, a future in parliament?
9. Gertrude, her love for Robert, her place in society, hosting the party, the past acquaintance with Mrs Cheveley and her dislike of her? Her knowing about Mrs Cheveley's plan, her dictating the letter to Robert? Mrs Cheveley's visit, telling her the truth, Robert's arrival, her being hurt? Sending the note to Arthur, the compromising note? Her not visiting him? Arthur thinking she was in the room when she was at home? Her response to Robert's speech? The note, the allowing of Robert to believe that the note was to him? The truth and the lie, the compromise?
10. Lord Goring, wealthy, unemployed, Phipps and his service to Lord Goring? His chatter, idle, his friendship with Mabel? His father and their clashes? Riding, the parties? His past with Mrs Cheveley, the engagement? His supporting Arthur, Gertrude? At home, Mrs Cheveley's coming, the discussion about the bracelet, his checking on it, accusing her of theft? Getting Robert to let her back? Her taking the note from Gertrude? Her listening in to his conversations? His reassurance of Gertrude, the discussions with his father, the proposal to Mabel? His admiration for Robert, the wedding?
11. Mrs Cheveley, her reputation, the past with the baron, investing her money? The character of the baron described by Mrs Cheveley and by Robert? Her friendship with Lady Markby, coming to the party, her confrontation of Robert, her blackmail? Her visit the next day, telling the truth to Gertrude? Her losing her bracelet? Her going to Arthur's, listening in, taking the note? The discussion about the theft and her being unmasked? Arthur's hold over her? Gertrude's interpreting the blackmail note? Her picking up with the aristocrat and driving off in the coach?
12. Mabel, flighty, loving society, Tommy's proposals? Her taunting of Arthur, wanting him to propose, the witticisms and paradoxes by Wilde in the mouths of Arthur and Mabel? Her appointment, her riding, his proposal?
13. Arthur's father, his bluster, his attack on his son, wanting him to be married, the information about the cabinet?
14. Lady Markby, the various women at the party, their flirtatious behaviour? The nature of society?
15. The glimpses of parliament, the integrity of the speech? The congratulations to Robert?
16. The moral issues that Oscar Wilde raised, about society and its emptiness, the delight in wit and surface? The serious moral issues as embodied in parliament and government?
