Alice in Wonderland (1933) | Directed by Norman Z. McLeod

A live-action adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tales, the film follows young Alice as she tumbles down a rabbit hole into a world filled with eccentric creatures and surreal encounters. Presented as a series of vignettes, the story moves through Wonderland’s strange landscapes as Alice meets talking animals, quarrelsome royals, and puzzling characters who challenge her understanding of logic and reality.

Genre: Fantasy, adventure

Director: Norman Z. McLeod

Norman Z. McLeod (1898–1964) was an American film director known for his work in comedy and fantasy during Hollywood’s golden era. He directed major stars such as the Marx Brothers, W. C. Fields, and Danny Kaye, with notable credits including Monkey Business, Horse Feathers, It’s a Gift, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. McLeod’s direction often blended whimsical humor with imaginative visual storytelling, making him a natural fit for Carroll’s fantastical material.

Star Cast:

Charlotte Henry as Alice

W. C. Fields as Humpty Dumpty

Cary Grant as the Mock Turtle

Gary Cooper as the White Knight

Edna May Oliver as the Red Queen

Richard Arlen as the Cheshire Cat

Louise Fazenda as the White Queen

Roscoe Karns as Tweedledum

Jack Oakie as Tweedledee

Edward Everett Horton as the Mad Hatter

Charlie Ruggles as the March Hare

Sterling Holloway as the Frog

Upon release, the film drew attention for its ambitious makeup effects and its all-star cast playing heavily costumed Wonderland characters. Reception was mixed: some critics admired its imaginative visuals and unusual atmosphere, while others found the heavy makeup and episodic structure distracting. Over time it has become a curious artifact of early Hollywood fantasy filmmaking, appreciated for its daring interpretation of Carroll’s surreal world and its assortment of legendary actors in unusual roles.

Fun Facts:

Nearly the entire Paramount roster of stars at the time took roles, many of them unrecognizable under extensive makeup and prosthetics.

The film combined elements from both Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Cary Grant reportedly accepted the role of the Mock Turtle enthusiastically, despite it being a small and heavily costumed part.

W. C. Fields’ performance as Humpty Dumpty is one of the film’s most celebrated for its perfect blend of his comic persona and Carroll’s wordplay.

The makeup designs were inspired by John Tenniel’s original book illustrations, giving the movie a distinctive stylized look unusual for films of the era.

* This Rumble Movie Channel is comprehensively indexed on https://kinoquick.com - find you favourite movies fast & free!
* Follow this channel to be notified of daily movie updates.