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'.
Lackawanna Blues (2005)
7.9/10
Director: George C Wolfe
Starring: S Epatha Merkerson, Julie Benz, Robert A Bradley, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Kathlee...
Based on a one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (played by Hill Harper) this is the inspiring story of Nanny Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson) a big-heart... Read more
Hamlet (Scott) (2000)
7.8/10
Director: Campbell Scott
Starring: Blair Brown, Roscoe Lee Browne, LisaGay Hamilton, Campbell Scott
Campbell Scott co-directs and stars as Hamlet in this excellent made-for-television version of Shakespeare's popular tragedy. The classic tale centres... Read more
Edmond (2005)
6.3/10
Director: Stuart Gordon
Starring: William H Macy, Julia Stiles, Joe Mantegna, Bai Ling, Jeffrey Combs, Denise Rich...
Frustrated city mouse Edmond Burke (William H Macy) hates his wife, his job and he desperately wants to get laid. After a fortune-teller tells him hi... Read more
All Night Long (1961)
5.9/10
Director: Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Starring: Richard Attenborough, Patrick McGoohan, Keith Michell, Betsy Blair, Charles Ming...
Directed by Basil Dearden and set in London's jazz scene of the 1950s, this atmospheric updating of Shakespeare's 'Othello' features appearances by so... Read more
Thunder Rock (1942)
6.8/10
Director: Roy Boulting
Starring: Barry Morse, James Mason, Michael Redgrave, Jean Sheppard
An adaptation of Robert Ardrey's stage play. Michael Redgrave plays a writer who tries to reveal what is happening in Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy,... Read more
Romeo and Juliet (Harvey) / Romeo and Juliet (Ballet) (1954)
5.5/10
Director: Paul Czinner, Renato Castellani
Starring: Laurence Harvey, Flora Robson, Susan Shentall, Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev
"Romeo and Juliet" (1954) - Laurence Harvey stars in this commanding interpretation of the Bard's great tale of star-crossed lovers. Stunningly photog... Read more
The Matchmaker (1958)
7/10
Director: Joseph Anthony
Starring: Shirley Booth, Anthony Perkins, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Ford
In this early adaptation of Thornton Wilder's hit Broadway play, we meet matchmaker Dolly Levi (Shirley Booth), who is always good at arranging things... Read more
Henry V (Olivier) ( Blu-ray ) (1944)
7.7/10
Director: Laurence Olivier
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks, Robert Newton, Esmond Knight, Renee Asherson, Fe...
'Henry V' is one of Shakespeare's most compelling historical plays. Laurence Olivier won a special Oscar for outstanding achievement as an actor, prod... Read more
Quartet (2012)
6.8/10
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Billy Connolly, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Pauline Collins, Tom Courtenay
Dustin Hoffman directs this comedy drama adapted by writer Ronald Harwood from his own stage play of the same name. Beecham House is a retirement home... Read more
The Ghost Breakers (1940)
7.3/10
Director: George Marshall
Starring: Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, Richard Carlson, Paul Lukas, Anthony Quinn
Ghosts and gags collide, with Bob Hope as a Manhattan radio commentator who finds himself on the run from the mob and marooned on a haunted island, al... Read more