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'.
Shirley Valentine (1989)
7.2/10
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Pauline Collins, Tom Conti, Alison Steadman
A gem of a film about a witty housewife, bored with the hum-drum routine of suburban life, who jumps at the chance to rediscover herself when she join... Read more
Dangerous Liaisons ( Blu-ray ) (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Keanu Reeves, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Uma...
Nominated for seven Academy Awards, the hottest love affair of 1782 is notable for its sense of style and decor, and strong performances from Glenn Cl... Read more
Switching Channels (1988)
5.9/10
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Starring: Kathleen Turner, Christopher Reeve, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Henry Gibson
A modern take on 'His Girl Friday' which in turn was an adaptation of '20s play 'The Front Page'. Kathleen Turner takes the lead as a fiesty cable ne... 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
The Taming of the Shrew (BBC) (1988)
7.2/10
Director: Jonathan Miller
Starring: John Cleese, Sarah Badel
Jonathan Miller's sympathetic, vibrant and hilarious adaptation brilliantly blends the more subtle essences of Shakespeare's classic comedy with the p... Read more
Da (1988)
6.4/10
Director: Matt Clark
Starring: Karl Hayden, Barnard Hughes, Martin Sheen, Doreen Hepburn, William Hickey
Hugh Leonard's autobiographical play of growing up adopted in a small sea-coast town in Ireland. The film version is directed by character actor Matt... Read more
Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
7.7/10
Director: Paul Bogart
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein
Harvey Fierstein adapted his Broadway hit play about the trials and tribulations of being a sexually active, gay urban male in the 1970's for the big... Read more
Twelfth Night (1988)
7/10
Director: Paul Kafno
Starring: Richard Briers, Caroline Langrishe
The tale begins when a brother and sister are separated in a shipwreck, but survive to be washed up on the shore of Illyria. The sister, Viola, disgui... Read more
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz, Keanu Reeves, Mil...
Nominated for seven Academy Awards, the hottest love affair of 1782 is notable for its sense of style and decor, and strong performances from Glenn Cl... Read more
Talk Radio (1988)
7.3/10
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Ellen Greene, Eric Bogosian
Oliver Stone directed this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's hit stage play, which is loosely based on the murder of Denver Talk show host Alan Berg by a... Read more