Oscar Wilde's influence on stage and screen

Born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 16, 1854, Oscar Wilde was one of the most celebrated poets and dramatists of his era. Known for his acclaimed works, including 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' as well as his flamboyant lifestyle, eccentric dress sense, and extraordinary wit, Wilde lived a short but full and controversial life and died aged only 46. His plays have been the subject numerous stage, film, and television adaptations, and have influenced a generation of actors, writers, and directors.

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Early life -

Wilde was a writer, critic, poet, and journalist. But he's chiefly remembered as a playwright. However, he first came to prominence after the publication of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' his only novel.

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1890) -

'The Picture of Dorian Gray' was first published simultaneously in London and Philadelphia in an edition of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. This cautionary tale about a beautiful young man, Dorian Gray, who wishes (and receives his wish) that his portrait ages while he remains youthful and lives a life of sin and pleasure has inspired many cinematic, literary, and artistic adaptations.

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1945) -

Considered by many as the best film version of the novel, this 1945 production stars Hurd Hatfield as Dorian Gray, Lowell Gilmore as Basil Hallward, George Sanders as Henry Wotton, and Angela Lansbury as Sibyl Vane. Pictured are two other stars of the film, Peter Lawford and Donna Reed, together with Sanders.

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1945) -

Angela Lansbury (pictured) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film itself won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1892) -

Wilde's first play, 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' opened in February 1892 to widespread popularity and critical acclaim. The story concerns Lady Windermere, who suspects that her husband is having an affair with another woman. Introduced to the "other" woman, a Mrs. Stella Erlynne, an enraged Lady Windermere leaves him for another lover. But all is not what is seems...

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1925) -

The 1925 silent film version of the play was selected in 2002 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Pictured is the theatrical poster for the American release of the movie.

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (2002) -

Vanessa Redgrave (left) as Mrs. Erlynne and Joely Richardson as Lady Windermere star in a stage version at London's Theatre Royal. In real life, Richardson is the daughter of Redgrave.

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'A Good Woman' (2004) -

A 2004 film adaptation of the play, entitled 'A Good Woman,' stars Helen Hunt as Mrs. Stella Erlynne.

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'A Good Woman' (2004) -

The film, which relocated the setting to the Amalfi coast of Italy and received mixed reviews, also stars Scarlett Johansson as Meg Windermere and Mark Umbers as her husband, Robert Windermere.

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1893) -

Another witty and highly satirical comedy of manners, 'A Woman of No Importance' premiered on April 19, 1893 at London's Haymarket Theatre. Like many of Wilde's works, the play's main theme exposes the secrets of the English upper classes.

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1893) -

'A Woman of No Importance' also explores English upper class morality and society's double standards for women and men. Pictured is a scene from the opening night at the Haymarket.

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1958) -

The play has been performed on stages in Europe and North America. Pictured is Austrian actress Adrienne Gessner in a 1958 production staged at the Akademietheater in Vienna.

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'Salome' (1893) -

With 'Salome,' Wilde tells in one act the Biblical story of Salome, stepdaughter of the 1st-century ruler of Galilee and Perea, Herod Antipas.

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'Salome' (1893) -

The original version of the play was in French. Famed actress Sarah Bernhardt was set to appear in the play's London premiere but rehearsals were halted when 'Salome' was banned on the basis that it was illegal to depict Biblical characters on the stage. The play was eventually premiered on February 11, 1896. By then, Wilde was in prison.

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'Salome' (2006) -

Pictured: Al Pacino in a highly acclaimed 2006 production of 'Salome' staged at the historic Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles.

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'Salome' (2006) -

Al Pacino as Herod and Jessica Chastain as Salome pictured on stage in Los Angeles.

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'Salome' (2016) -

In 2016, 'Salome' was staged at Madrid's Fernan Gomez Theatre to great reviews. Pictured are Spanish actors Inés Morales and Manuel de Blas.

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'An Ideal Husband' (1895) -

'An Ideal Husband' centers around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honor. The play is considered by many as one of Wilde's best.

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'An Ideal Husband' (1995) -

French actresses Dominique Sanda (left) and Anny Duperey starred in a production of 'An Ideal Husband' at the Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau in Paris.

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'An Ideal Husband' (1996) -

English actor Martin Shaw, known for his roles in the UK television series 'The Professionals,' 'Judge John Deed,' and 'Inspector George Gently,' appeared with Kate O'Mara in a 1996 production of 'An Ideal Husband' at the Theatre Royal in London's Haymarket.

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'An Ideal Husband' (1999) -

A host of stars, including Julianne Moore as Mrs. Laura Cheveley, appeared in a 1999 film production of the play.

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'An Ideal Husband' (1999) -

While the plot of the 1999 film differs from the original Wilde play in a number of key respects, this screen adaption was nonetheless positively received by critics, and was selected as the 1999 Cannes Film Festival's closing film. Pictured is Cate Blanchett as Lady Gertrude and Rupert Everett as Lord Arthur Goring.

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895) -

Wilde's most famous play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest' is a satire of Victorian social hypocrisy, and the witty play is considered Wilde’s greatest dramatic achievement. It has been revived many times since its premiere, and has been adapted for the cinema on three occasions.

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1952) -

The most celebrated screen outing is the 1952 version, which remains largely faithful to Wilde's text.

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1952) -

English actress Edith Evans, who between 1964 and 1968 was nominated for three Academy Awards, plays Lady Bracknell and is remembered for her outraged delivery of the line "A handbag?" (which has become legendary).

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1993) -

In 1993, Maggie Smith played the haughty and aristocratic Lady Bracknell on stage at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (2002) -

It was Judi Dench's turn to portray Lady Bracknell in this 2002 film adaption of the play, which included Reese Witherspoon as Cecily Cardew (pictured) among the co-stars.

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (2015) -

In a novel twist which Wilde would have sure appreciated, actor David Suchet donned a dress and played Lady Bracknell in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 2015. Suchet is probably best known for his acclaimed UK television portrayal of Agatha Christie's detective Hercule Poirot.

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'Wilde' (1997) -

The playwright himself is portrayed in 1997's 'Wilde,' which opens with his 1882 visit to Leadville, Colorado during his lecture tour of the United States.

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'Wilde' (1997) -

English actor Stephen Fry, who looks uncannily like the playwright and shares a lot of his attributes, was applauded for his portrayal of Wilde. And fun fact: Orlando Bloom made his first on-screen appearance in this film, which premiered at the 1997 Venice Film Festival.

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Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) -

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Early life -

Public Domain

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1890) -

Public Domain

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1945) -

Getty Images

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'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1945) -

Angela Lansbury (pictured) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film itself won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Getty Images

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1892) -

Getty Images

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (1925) -

Public Domain

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'Lady Windermere's Fan' (2002) -

Vanessa Redgrave (left) as Mrs. Erlynne and Joely Richardson as Lady Windermere star in a stage version at London's Theatre Royal. In real life, Richardson is the daughter of Redgrave.

Getty Images

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'A Good Woman' (2004) -

A 2004 film adaptation of the play, entitled 'A Good Woman,' stars Helen Hunt as Mrs. Stella Erlynne.

BrunoPress

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'A Good Woman' (2004) -

The film, which relocated the setting to the Amalfi coast of Italy and received mixed reviews, also stars Scarlett Johansson as Meg Windermere and Mark Umbers as her husband, Robert Windermere.

BrunoPress

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1893) -

Getty Images

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1893) -

'A Woman of No Importance' also explores English upper class morality and society's double standards for women and men. Pictured is a scene from the opening night at the Haymarket.

Getty Images

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'A Woman of No Importance' (1958) -

The play has been performed on stages in Europe and North America. Pictured is Austrian actress Adrienne Gessner in a 1958 production staged at the Akademietheater in Vienna.

Getty Images

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'Salome' (1893) -

With 'Salome,' Wilde tells in one act the Biblical story of Salome, stepdaughter of the 1st-century ruler of Galilee and Perea, Herod Antipas.

Getty Images

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'Salome' (1893) -

Getty Images

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'Salome' (2006) -

Pictured: Al Pacino in a highly acclaimed 2006 production of 'Salome' staged at the historic Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles.

Getty Images

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'Salome' (2006) -

Al Pacino as Herod and Jessica Chastain as Salome pictured on stage in Los Angeles.

Getty Images

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'Salome' (2016) -

In 2016, 'Salome' was staged at Madrid's Fernan Gomez Theatre to great reviews. Pictured are Spanish actors Inés Morales and Manuel de Blas.

Getty Images

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'An Ideal Husband' (1895) -

'An Ideal Husband' centers around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honor. The play is considered by many as one of Wilde's best.

Getty Images

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'An Ideal Husband' (1995) -

French actresses Dominique Sanda (left) and Anny Duperey starred in a production of 'An Ideal Husband' at the Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau in Paris.

Getty Images

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'An Ideal Husband' (1996) -

Getty Images

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'An Ideal Husband' (1999) -

A host of stars, including Julianne Moore as Mrs. Laura Cheveley, appeared in a 1999 film production of the play.

Getty Images

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'An Ideal Husband' (1999) -

Getty Images

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1895) -

Getty Images

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1952) -

The most celebrated screen outing is the 1952 version, which remains largely faithful to Wilde's text.

Getty Images

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1952) -

Getty Images

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1993) -

In 1993, Maggie Smith played the haughty and aristocratic Lady Bracknell on stage at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

Getty Images

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (2002) -

It was Judi Dench's turn to portray Lady Bracknell in this 2002 film adaption of the play, which included Reese Witherspoon as Cecily Cardew (pictured) among the co-stars.

BrunoPress

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'The Importance of Being Earnest' (2015) -

Getty Images

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'Wilde' (1997) -

The playwright himself is portrayed in 1997's 'Wilde,' which opens with his 1882 visit to Leadville, Colorado during his lecture tour of the United States.

BrunoPress

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'Wilde' (1997) -

BrunoPress

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Oscar Wilde's influence on stage and screen

The famed Irish playwright passed away on November 30, 1900

06/06/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Playwrights

In his short life, Oscar Wilde became one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London. His society comedies of the early 1890s, works like 'Lady Windermere's Fan' and 'An Ideal Husband,' were instant hits. His final play, 'The Importance of being Ernest,' is considered his masterpiece.

Wilde died in 1900, but his plays have endured. Since his untimely death, the Irish playwright’s works have been performed around the world, with a host of celebrity A-listers including Al Pacino and Vanessa Redgrave lining up to interpret characters made famous by one of the most celebrated—and controversial—personalities of the era.

Click through the following gallery and be reminded of some of the great stage and screen productions that owe their success to the writings of Oscar Wilde.