Alice's Playhouse
In Alice's Playhouse you will discover an exceptional collection of feature films adapted from some of the most celebrated plays ever written. Often featuring towering performances, outstanding direction and exceptional writing, this collection is a superb archive of contemporary drama masterfully transferred to the silver screen.
Filmizations of The Bard's work may be scrolled via the 'Shakespeare' sub-feature in green on the left, along with other notable playwrights who have been adapted for celluloid.
For adaptations of novels and short stories, check the 'Special Interest' link and click on 'Based on...'
Right: Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh relax during the filming of Tennessee Williams' masterpiece, 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
On Golden Pond (1981)
7.7/10
Director: Mark Rydell
Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman
Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn play an aging married couple, Norman and Ethel Thayer, spending a dramatic summer in the woods. Their estranged daug... Read more
One, Two, Three (1961)
8/10
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: James Cagney, Arlene Francis, Horst Buchholz
James Cagney's 'retirement' film was this hilarious comedy about a Coke executive in contemporary West Berlin freaking out when the boss's visiting da... Read more
Oscar Wilde Vol 1: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1976) / The Importance of Being Earnest (1988)
Director: John Gorrie, Stuart Burge
Starring: Rupert Frazer, Gemma Jones, Alec McCowen, Paul McGann, Natalie Ogle, Joan Plowri...
Acclaimed BBC adaptations of two of Oscar Wilde's most esteemed works. Lovingly restored, these plays feature a who's who of great actors of the Briti... Read more
Oscar Wilde Vol 2: An Ideal Husband (1969) / Lady Windemere's Fan (1985)
Director: Rudolph Cartier, Tony Smith
Starring: Margaret Leighton, Keith Michell, Jeremy Brett, Dinah Sheridan, Susan Hampshire,...
Volume 2 of the BBC's Oscar Wilde adaptations includes the comedies 'An Ideal Husband' (1969) with Margaret Leighton and Keith Michell; and 'Lady Wind... Read more
Othello (BBC) (1981)
6.9/10
Director: Jonathan Miller
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins, Penelope Wilton, Rosemary Leach
After undertaking to film all Shakespeare's plays, the BBC produced some of the most faithful and gripping renditions of the bard's work ever committe... Read more
Othello (Fishburne) (1995)
6.9/10
Director: Oliver Parker
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Kenneth Branagh, Irene Jacob
Laurence Fishburne is very good in the title role bringing out the warrior Moor's essential innocence and passion, while Kenneth Branagh is brilliant... Read more
Othello (Olivier) (1965)
6.9/10
Director: Stuart Burge
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Joyce Redman, Frank Finlay, Derek Jacobi
Shakespeare's tragic story of how a great man's vanity is manipulated by a jealous aide to bring his downfall, has never been more movingly nor dramat... Read more
Othello (Welles) (1952)
6.9/10
Director: Orson Welles
Starring: Orson Welles, Michael Macliammoir, Robert Coote
Shot entirely out of sequence over four years because of budget difficulties, this would be one of the most fascinating attempts at Shakespeare ever f... Read more
Paint Your Wagon (1969)
6.7/10
Director: Joshua Logan
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Jean Seberg, Lee Marvin
Musical set during the gold rush days in California features Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood as prospectors who share a wife (Jean Seberg) whom they pur... Read more
Peter Pan (2003)
6.9/10
Director: P J Hogan
Starring: Jason Isaacs, Jeremy Sumpter, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Lynn Redgrave, Richard Briers, O...
Director P.J. Hogan's ('Muriel's Wedding') visually stunning adaptation of J.M. Barrie's classic story follows 'the boy who wouldn't grow up' as he le... Read more