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

• 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

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

• "Off with their heads"
• "A-sitting on a Gate"
• "Beautiful Soup"
• "You Are Old, Father William"

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald said the "production was not always successful in matching confusion with charm."^[8]

References