In 1865, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (writing as "Lewis Carroll") released Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The novel was followed by a sequel, Through the Looking Glass, in 1872. In a mere matter of years, film was born; by 1904, the first film adaptation of Carroll's work was produced. For over a century now, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the rest of Wonderland have been mainstays of the silver screen.
Alice in the Silent Era
Alice's history in motion pictures began in 1904 with the release of Alice in Wonderland, a British film directed by Cecil Hepworth. The film, starring May Clark as Alice, ran eight minutes long. In 1910, an American adaptation lensed, this time by Edwin S. Porter and the Edison Manufacturing Company. By 1915, another adaptation was released, directed by W.W. Young.
"Talkies" and Disney
As motion pictures evolved, Alice followed suit. By the 1930s, sound had been introduced into film, and "talkies," as they were referred to, had become the standard. In 1931, Bud Pollard directed the first sound adaptation of Alice. For the first time, Lewis Carroll's distinct "nonsense" dialogue could be heard by movie audiences.
Two years later, Paramount Pictures adapted Alice as an all-star production, directed by Norman McLeod. The film featured performances by ledgendary actors such as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and W.C. Fields. Another unique aspect of the film is the animated "Walrus and the Carpenter" segment, produced by Fleischer Studios, the animation team behind Betty Boop.
1951 saw the release of Walt Disney Pictures' Alice in Wonderland, perhaps the most popular film version to date. The animated film stars the voice talents of Kathryn Beaumont and Ed Wynn. Like most Disney animated classics, Alice features numerous musical numbers. The film is now considered a cornerstone of Disney's legacy, even inspiring one of Disney Theme Parks' most popular attractions, the Mad Tea Party.
Alice on Television, and Beyond
Carroll's work continued to be adapted throughout the remainder of the century. Several notable made-for-television versions periodically emerged, including a 1966 BBC production starring Michael Redgrave, John Gielgud, and Peter Sellers, and a 1985 CBS two-parter featuring Roddy McDowell, Red Buttons, and a particularly frightening Jabberwocky puppet.
In 1988, Czech surrealist Jan Svankmajer directed Alice, an adaptation infused with the director's artistic trademarks, including stop-motion animation and a disturbingly off-kilter tone.
Wonderland came to television again in 1999 in the form of an NBC film, starring Martin Short as the Mad Hatter and Whoopi Goldberg as the Cheshire Cat, and again in 2009 as a Syfy Original mini-series.
On March 5, Walt Disney Pictures will add a new chapter to Alice's cinematic history with the release of Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton and featuring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Despite the familiar title, the film is actually a follow-up to Carroll's work, as a 19 year old Alice returns to find Wonderland under the heel of the evil Red Queen.
Author Paul Linus
Alice in the Silent Era
Alice's history in motion pictures began in 1904 with the release of Alice in Wonderland, a British film directed by Cecil Hepworth. The film, starring May Clark as Alice, ran eight minutes long. In 1910, an American adaptation lensed, this time by Edwin S. Porter and the Edison Manufacturing Company. By 1915, another adaptation was released, directed by W.W. Young.
"Talkies" and Disney
As motion pictures evolved, Alice followed suit. By the 1930s, sound had been introduced into film, and "talkies," as they were referred to, had become the standard. In 1931, Bud Pollard directed the first sound adaptation of Alice. For the first time, Lewis Carroll's distinct "nonsense" dialogue could be heard by movie audiences.
Two years later, Paramount Pictures adapted Alice as an all-star production, directed by Norman McLeod. The film featured performances by ledgendary actors such as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and W.C. Fields. Another unique aspect of the film is the animated "Walrus and the Carpenter" segment, produced by Fleischer Studios, the animation team behind Betty Boop.
1951 saw the release of Walt Disney Pictures' Alice in Wonderland, perhaps the most popular film version to date. The animated film stars the voice talents of Kathryn Beaumont and Ed Wynn. Like most Disney animated classics, Alice features numerous musical numbers. The film is now considered a cornerstone of Disney's legacy, even inspiring one of Disney Theme Parks' most popular attractions, the Mad Tea Party.
Alice on Television, and Beyond
Carroll's work continued to be adapted throughout the remainder of the century. Several notable made-for-television versions periodically emerged, including a 1966 BBC production starring Michael Redgrave, John Gielgud, and Peter Sellers, and a 1985 CBS two-parter featuring Roddy McDowell, Red Buttons, and a particularly frightening Jabberwocky puppet.
In 1988, Czech surrealist Jan Svankmajer directed Alice, an adaptation infused with the director's artistic trademarks, including stop-motion animation and a disturbingly off-kilter tone.
Winnie Mandela, Former Wife Of Nelson Mandela, Dies In Johannesburg Hospital
Venus Reveals Love and Desires
Wonderland came to television again in 1999 in the form of an NBC film, starring Martin Short as the Mad Hatter and Whoopi Goldberg as the Cheshire Cat, and again in 2009 as a Syfy Original mini-series.
On March 5, Walt Disney Pictures will add a new chapter to Alice's cinematic history with the release of Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton and featuring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. Despite the familiar title, the film is actually a follow-up to Carroll's work, as a 19 year old Alice returns to find Wonderland under the heel of the evil Red Queen.
Author Paul Linus
Comments