As a child, one of my favourite things to do was to curl up and listen to "Alice in Wonderland". Our parents had friends who owned Caedmon Records, which was one of the first companies to record notable writers reading their own works. We had a recording of Stanley Holloway reading "Alice in Wonderland" and before I could really read, I would listen to this.
Once I learned to read, I did read Alice, and loved the illustrations by Sir John Tenniel and remember them as the classic drawings. 
When I visited Oxford England many years later, we visited a friend who lived next door to the shop where the real Alice lived.
When I visited Oxford England many years later, we visited a friend who lived next door to the shop where the real Alice lived. 
I recently heard that Tim Burton is remaking Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, 
Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and an unknown Australian actress as Alice. 
Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and an unknown Australian actress as Alice. Curiouser and curiouser... I am to see this!
I love Tim Burton's flicks, so artistic! I think it will be a feast for the eyes!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
I've been wondering which version of the book my kids might like. I'll try to find the Tenniel version. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so excited about this!! Alice in Wonderland is definitely my favorite story (still is).
ReplyDeleteI also love Johnny Depp so much and can't wait to see him in this. Of course, I know he will be perfect:)
It will be intersting to see if he goes the very dark route of his past or a more whimsical path like his recent Willie Wonka.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have that record to listen over & over!!! It still would be fun for a cross country trip.
I watched a British/TV version (I think) of Alice when I was in Paris on DVD with my friends son and it was fantastic! Whoopi was the Cheshire Cat - the cast also included Ben Kingsley, Christopher Lloyd, Pete Postlethwaite, and Miranda Richardson.
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I've been fascinated for years by images of Alice Liddell as a young woman. In so many of the images, she has a very defiant stance and a very direct gaze:
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She has that same direct gaze in childhood. You can just hear her saying, "Tell me a story, and it had better be a good one."
I don't think I've ever found a version of Alice that satisfies me. It's sort of like Jane Eyre. You can cull bits and pieces from many versions.
I was thinking, looking at the released photos of Bonham Carter as the Red Queen...Clara Bow. IT Girl.
I am curious to see it as well - I was Alice in Wonderland for Halloween when I was 25. Have you read "Alice and the Space Telescope" - a JHU Press book about Hubble Space Telescope.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait! I just rewatched the old cartoon version this winter, and I think Burton is the perfect person to do a new film version. Just that photo of Helena Bonham Carter says it all, and didn't Johnny Depp play the author a few years back? Just hope they don't get too creepy. I think my favorite part of the book was the Walrus reciting poetry. Might have to reread it this summer, if I can find a copy with the original drawings.
ReplyDeleteOh,I can't wait to see this! I can only imagine the scenery!!
ReplyDeleteIt will be a treat, and agree with several of you that I too hope he doesn't go over to the dark side!
ReplyDeleteScares me to death. Always has. Even the Jefferson Airplane song. I was much more of a Peter Pan and Tom Sawyer fellow.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting project except for the fact that Tim Burton's work is very creepy to me. Thanks for the kind comment, Meg!
ReplyDeleteMeg-Sounds like it will be great. It is actually a new story of Alice going back a few years later as a teenager. Can't wait.
ReplyDeletethis is a must see for me !!
ReplyDeletetim burton is fab.
Since we all know the story, I think it will be the Tim Burton-ness of this movie that will be most interesting to see. I find him-and his art-both creepy and fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is a must see. My favorite Caedman is one of their first Dylan Thomas reading his work. Tremendous recording
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike! Rosie
ReplyDeleteAlso one of my favs, natch! I have a large collection of Alice in Wonderland Christmas tree ornaments that I cherish. Annnd... my original Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass from when I was a child. XXOO
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see this one, Jonny Depp and Helen Bonham Carter have been quite the team, remember Sweeny Todd? She has such dark qualities, will be Burton good!!!
ReplyDeleteI love his movies.
helena bonham carter as the red queen! inspired!
ReplyDeletei can't wait.
The actress playing Alice was in the first season of "In Treatment" on HBO.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this one!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks very wonderful indeed!
I think it will be wonderful, just look at the last shot with Alice looking up at the gate...it's going to be really cool with that great Tim Burton twist! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI loved the illustratioins of the book when I was a kid too. Tom Petty's video kind of freaked me out when it came out... oh god? late 80s? yikes! But like everyone else, I am curious to see this new movie. I do like Tim Burton's work -- it's like a weird dream and you are not certain where you are...
ReplyDeleteAlways around that dear sweet Alice...can't wait!
ReplyDeleteHey Pigtown, I have seen you around @ Style Redux 2, but I googled adler alice ornaments, and found this post of yours from last summer. Love it! I just made a new blog all about Alice, if you'd care to take a look at Cabbages and Kings. Seems like you're a fan! xo kitty
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