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 Film and TV productions across the years |
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| Alice In Wonderland feature film starring Carol Marsh made in 1948 in colour (83 minutes) |
 he film, directed by Dallas Bower, combines live action actors with stop-motion puppetry by Lou Bunin. It starts with a section set in the actual Christchurch locations where Charles Dodgson and the Liddell family lived. The use of the real Liddell garden creates a wonderful sense of "being there".Unfortunately, the film seems to fall between two stools. The live action is well directed by Dallas Bower but the "Wonderland" sequences disappoint. |
The second section, where Alice follows the White Rabbit to Wonderland, is lumbered with rather charmless puppets, minimal scenery and flawed direction and continuity. However, the real-life section at the beginning has excellent backgrounds, is well acted and appears to be a solid piece of English drama, if historically rather inaccurate. We see Stephen Murray as Charles Dodgson taking photographs with the Liddell sisters in the garden, and Felix Aylmer as Dean Liddell preparing for a visit to Christchurch by Queen Victoria. The players display characteristics of their "Wonderland" counterparts, particularly the twitchy Bursar who was Dodgson's inspiration for the White Rabbit. The actors here will provide the voices of the puppets later on in the film. |
 Photo supplied by Daniel Frampton. |
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Alice and her sisters are in their garden being photographed in Chinese costume by Charles Dodgson. The shot is spoiled by the Bursar walking across on his way to see Dean Liddell. Note the actual Liddell front door. The Dean comes out to have a chat with Dodgson and the girls are sent in to change. The Dean seems to have reservations about the photography and there's a sense of disapproval, although he just discusses the noisy tower bell. |
In real life, it was Alice's mother who ruled the domestic roost, but she isn't seen in this film - her 'part' is combined with that of the Dean.
Queen Victoria and her aide discuss what subjects to talk about during the visit. As the time for Queen Victoria's arrival draws closer, everyone gets ready. Much to their disappointment, Alice and her sisters are confined to the house without so much as a sniff of the refreshments.Dodgson quietly removes one of the cakes from the table and takes it to Alice who is playing with Dinah, her cat. He sympathises with her, and suggests that she and her sisters can probably see the whole thing just as well from the window. |
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