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'.
Blessed (2009)
6.8/10
Director: Ana Kokkinos
Starring: Deborra-Lee Furness, Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto, Victoria Haralabidou, Willi...
A tender and stirring portrayal of a single day from two very different perspectives. Seven children wander the streets in an urban odyssey but not al... Read more
Blithe Spirit (1945)
7.2/10
Director: David Lean
Starring: Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond, Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford
David Lean adapts Noel Coward once again ('This Happy Breed', 'Brief Encounter') with excellent results. Rex Harrison is an author writing a book on... Read more
Boom! (1968)
5.6/10
Director: Joseph Losey
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Noel Coward
Hollywood royalty Taylor and Burton star in this outrageous tale of the richest woman in the world, kept company in her last days by an equally indulg... Read more
Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986)
6.9/10
Director: Gene Saks
Starring: Blythe Danner, Bob Dishy, Jonathan Silverman, Judith Ivey
New York, the 1930s...and a young man's mind is on the Yankees and sex (not necessarily in that order), as well as trying to deal with his argumentati... Read more
Brilliant Lies (1996)
6/10
Director: Richard Franklin
Starring: Gia Carides, Anthony LaPaglia, Zoe Carides
Real-life couple Gia Carides and Anthony La Paglia get to pull out each other's hair in this rigorous adaptation of David Williamson's meaty stage pla... Read more
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
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
Butterflies are Free (1972)
7.2/10
Director: Milton Katselas
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Eileen Heckart, Edward Albert
A sensitive, touching comedy about a blind young man (Edward Albert) who is determined to make a life for himself despite his handicap. Good performan... Read more
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
Caesar and Cleopatra (1945)
6.4/10
Director: Gabriel Pascal
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Claude Rains, Stewart Granger, Flora Robson
George Bernard Shaw's exuberantly witty play about Rome's titanic leader and Egypt's young queen was transferred to the big screen with stars Vivien L... Read more