Alice in Wonderland, 1931
The film apparently has never been shown on television, and it was not a financial or critical success. It was the first sound version of the Alice in Wonderland story. The acting is atrocious, especially the character of Alice. The film uses parts of the story but takes liberties with the original story whenever it wants to. Some of the actors are so obviously reading their lines from cue cards that it becomes annoying.
The film opens in a very strange manner, almost in a 1960's psychedelic manner. Alice is suddenly in Wonderland. She's also played by a woman who is too old for the part. Then the White Rabbit appears, not before. Alice tosses the fan and gloves to the White Rabbit who can't see her. Then a whole bunch of nothing happens as Alice walks around some mushrooms.
Next Alice goes to the house of the Duchess. The Duchess and the cook are arguing and the Duchess tells the book to leave. The Duchess then comes at Alice with an ax.
Suddenly Alice is talking to the Cheshire Cat and asking it which way she should walk from there. Then she gets to the tea party, but the palace is visible from the tea party.
Alice leaves the tea party and then comes across the caterpillar. That doesn't go well. Next Alice ends up at the castle, talking to the Queen. Then there's a dance. Then there's another thing not in the story; the Duchess, who was to be killed, is saved by Alice who speaks lines reminiscent of Shakespeare to trick the Queen into pardoning everyone.
The Duchess then takes Alice to the seashore to meet the mock turtle.
The White Rabbit shows up to take Alice to the trial. Changes happen. The Mad Hatter dies, for one thing.
This really gets different as the White Rabbit reveals that he was the one who stole the tarts. He also says he will marry the Duchess, but Alice says she will not permit it. The Alice wakes up.
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