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'.
C S Lewis Through the Shadowlands ( aka Shadowlands ) (1985)
Director: Norman Stone
Starring: Joss Ackland, Claire Bloom, David Waller
Aka "Shadowlands". A real-life incident involving two major literary figures was dramatized for British television in 1985 under the title 'Shadowland... 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
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1973)
6.6/10
Director: Glenn Jordan
Starring: Nigel Davenport, Shane Briant, Charles Aidman, Fionnula Flanagan
Can the gift of eternal youth and beauty be a curse? It is in this made-for-TV rendition of the Oscar Wilde shocker. Shane Briant plays the debauched... Read more
Mister Roberts (1955)
7.8/10
Director: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy
Starring: Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, James Cagney, William Powell
A classic comedy-drama about the dehumanizing aspects of war. Mister Roberts is aboard a US cargo ship, working in the Pacific during the Second World... Read more
Closer ( Blu-ray ) (2004)
7.3/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen
Emotional and sexual gamesmanship, as seen through the couplings and uncouplings of four people - photographer Julia Roberts, stripper Natalie Portman... Read more
Oleanna (1994)
6.7/10
Director: David Mamet
Starring: Debra Eisenstadt, William H Macy, Rebecca Pidgeon
David Mamet directed this screen version of his controversial two-character stage drama about a frustrated, self-involved male Professor (William H. M... Read more
The Front Page (1974)
7.4/10
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Susan Sarandon, Vincent Gardenia, David Wayne, Alle...
BIlly Wilder's sharp remake of the classic 'His Girl Friday' (in turn a remake of a 1931 film, based on a play from 1928!) stars Jack Lemmon as ace re... Read more
Clash By Night (1952)
7.2/10
Director: Fritz Lang
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, Robert Ryan
Barbara Stanwyck gives a dynamic performance in this steamy psychodrama as the penned-up wife of a boring fishing boat captain whose yearning for exci... Read more
Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005)
7.6/10
Director: Hank Rogerson
At the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in LaGrange, Kentucky some well-behaved prisoners are taking part in the Shakespeare program. This year, t... Read more
Bug (2006)
6.1/10
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr, Lynn Collins
Ashley Judd is a lonely waitress holed up in a decrepit motel who lives in constant fear of her ex-husband (Harry Connick, Jr.). She begins to feel ho... Read more