Summary
Alice in Wonderland is a 1962 Australian television film based on Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It was a pantomime and aired as part of the BP Super Show.[1]
It aired 15 December 1962[2] and ran for one hour.[3] It was one of a number of original Australian musicals on TV at the time.[4]
Cast edit
- Patricia Moore as Alice
- Kevin Colson as Knave of Hearts
- Noel Ferrier as Humpty Dumpty
- Bill Hodge as Duchess
- Chips Rafferty as White Knight
- Johnny Ladd as Queen of Hearts
- Brian Crossley as White Rabbit
- Bob Hornery as the Mad Hatter
- Ron Shand as the King of Hearts and the Walrus
- Roger McDougall as Cheshire Cat
- Fred Parslow as Mock Turtle and the Caterpillar
- Robina Beard as Dormouse
- Kevin Reagan
- Jim Gerald as Cook
- John Bailey as Tweedledee
- Ray Trickett as Tweedledum
- Ernie Bourne as the March Hare
- The Channel 9 Dancers
Production edit
It was a version of the show presented at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre the year before. Noel Ferrier had pitched the idea of doing a pantomime at the Comedy Theatre to Sir Frank Tait, who agreed. Ferrier said the show was "a great financial success" and staging it "was a most enjoyable experience. I cannot think of many other ventures I have enjoyed as much."[5]
It was especially written for television by Jeff Underhill, reportedly the first time the poem had been adapted for television. Bruce George wrote the music.[6]
"Alice, as the central figure, provides the continuity," said Jeff Underhill, "and the scene changes take place round her in the almost magical way videotape allows."[7]
There were 14 different scenes and eight songs. Noel Ferrier produced and his wife did the sets.[7]
Selected songs edit
- "Off with their heads"
- "A-sitting on a Gate"
- "Beautiful Soup"
- "You Are Old, Father William"
Reception edit
The Sydney Morning Herald said the "production was not always successful in matching confusion with charm."[8]
References edit
- ^ "Rafferty Star of Pantomime". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 December 1962. p. 16.
- ^ "Advertisement". TV Times. 13 December 1962. p. 15.
- ^ "TV Guide". The Age. 13 December 1962. p. 31.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (November 4, 2020). "Forgotten TV Plays: Pardon Miss Wescott". Filmink.
- ^ Ferrier, Noel (1985). The Memoirs of Noel Ferrier: There Goes Whatsisname. The MacMillan Company of Australia. p. 88.
- ^ "TV FEATURES". The Canberra Times. Vol. 37, no. 10, 406. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 12 December 1962. p. 27. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b ""ALICE," THROUGH THE TV SCREEN". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 30, no. 29. Australia. 19 December 1962. p. 19. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "'Alice' with Music and Dancing". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 December 1962. p. 6.