Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)

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"I think Alice got what she deserved. I never wanted to make it in the first place, but everybody said I should. I tried to introduce a little sentiment into it by getting Alice involved with the White Knight, but they said we couldn't tamper with a classic. So we just kept moving it at circus pace."

Number 13 in the Disney Animated Canon, this 1951 adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was a long time coming at Disney, seeing as Walt Disney had a longtime interest in the Wonderland books that was reflected in some of his earlier works. They wanted to make it a decade earlier, but another production of the story was being produced elsewhere at the time, prompting the studio to shelf it for a while. Then World War II happened and they lost a lot of their budget on war films. Some Development Hell turned the what-would-be horror flick into more of a wacky, comedic cartoon in the same vein as The Emperor's New Groove, making it probably the most surreal and very odd Disney film in memory!

Alice in Wonderland performed poorly in theaters initially (it made money in re-releases), but over time it grew into one of Disney's funniest films and inspired people to this day, including Tim Burton. If you're looking for the 2010 Tim Burton film, also by Disney, visit here.

It also inspired at least two rides in the Disney Theme Parks. One is a conventional ride through the movie, while the other is the famous spinning teacups ride.


Tropes used in Alice in Wonderland (1951 film) include:

Doorknob: You gave me quite a turn there! Heh! Rather good, wot? Doorknob, turn?

King of Hearts: What do you know about this unfortunate affair?
March Hare: Nothing.
Queen of Hearts: NOTHING WHATEVER?!
March Hare: NOTHING WHATEVER!
Queen of Hearts: THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT!!!

  • Hurricane of Puns: "All In The Golden Afternoon".
  • "I Am" Song: Does "I'm Late" count?
  • Ink Suit Actor:
    • Kathryn Beaumont as Alice.
    • Ed Wynn as The Mad Hatter.
    • Jerry Colonna as the March Hare.
  • Insistent Terminology: "Your way?! All ways here are my ways!"
  • Jerkass: Several characters. A notable example being the Cheshire Cat.
  • Large Ham: Who do you think? OFF WITH HER HEAD!
  • Man of a Thousand Voices: J. Pat O'Malley provides all the voices in the "Walrus and the Carpenter" segment.
  • Memetic Outfit: Alice's blue gown with the pinafore, white stockings and black Mary Janes.
    • Hey, don't forget the "Alice Band".
  • Mood Whiplash: "Very Good Advice", in which Alice sings about her personal flaws and breaks into tears, feels out-of-place to some people, especially since it comes in between the parts where Alice explores the Tulgey Wood and the Cheshire Cat tells her to visit the Queen of Hearts.
  • My Friends and Zoidberg:

White Rabbit: Her Imperial Highness, Her Grace, Her Excellency, Her Royal Majesty, the Queen of Hearts!...and the King.
Voice: Hooray!

    • A more traditional example comes when the White Rabbit does roll call at the beginning of the trial:

Your majesty? Members of the Jury? Loyal subjects? And the king.