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'.
British Intelligence (1940)
6/10
Director: Terry Morse
Starring: Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay, Bruce Lester, Leonard Mudie, Holmes Herbert, Au...
Made during the early part of the Second World War (when England was enduring constant air assaults and other threats), and set during the First World... 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
Waterloo Bridge (1940)
7.8/10
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson
The second of three adaptations of Robert E Sherwood's acclaimed play, this 1940 film was noticably dampened by the omnipotent Motion Picture Producti... Read more
The Women (1939)
8/10
Director: George Cukor
Starring: Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Paulette Goddard, J...
Based on the Clare Booth Luce play of the same name, this MGM comedy is justly famous for its all-female cast and deft direction by George Cukor. The... Read more
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex (1939)
7.2/10
Director: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Vincent...
A colourful and elaborate costume drama featuring fine performances from Bette Davis as an aging Queen Elizabeth I, and Errol Flynn as her flamboyant... Read more
Holiday (1938)
7.8/10
Director: George Cukor
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Doris Nolan
Based on Philip Barry's Broadway play, 'Holiday' is stylishly directed by Oscar-winner George Cukor. This classic film stars Katharine Hepburn and Car... Read more
As You Like It (1936)
6/10
Director: Paul Czinner
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Elisabeth Bergner
Filmed in 1936 when Olivier was still considered a promising young actor rather than one of the finest thespians ever, this is his first filmed perfor... Read more
The Petrified Forest (1936)
7.6/10
Director: Archie Mayo
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Leslie Howard
Adapted from Robert E Sherwood's Broadway hit, Humphrey Bogart and Leslie Howard reprise their respective stage roles as gangster, Duke and writer, Al... Read more
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
7/10
Director: William Dieterle
Starring: James Cagney, Joe E Brown, Dick Powell
Love is blind, fickle and true. And under the sway of capricious fairies it becomes blinder (a queen romances a donkey), more fickle (best friends swo... Read more
Dinner at Eight (1933)
7.8/10
Director: George Cukor
Starring: John Barrymore, Marie Dressler, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Ed...
Based on George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's Broadway hit, in which an elaborate dinner party reveals a web of intrigue and romance. With a sparkling... Read more