Alice Cans the Cannibals (1925)

Alice Cans the Cannibals (1925) was released on January 1, 1925. Had a two-week run at the Criterion Theatre in Los Angeles, California starting on March 7, 1925, along with The Last Laugh. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) and Julius the Cat drive their car over a cliff into the ocean. In an attempt to get back to shore Julius lassos a fish and ties him to the car. Instead of the shore they arrive on Cannibal Islands where they must escape the island occupants.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: George Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Caneraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Mike Marcus (Camera Operator, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited), Thurston Harper (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 6:08.  Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice Cans the Cannibals (Short 1925) ⭐ 4.5 | Animation, short, comedy. (1925, January 1). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015551/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Moana 2 New Poster and Trailer (2024)

Walt Disney Animation Studios released a brand new trailer and movie poster for their upcoming animated feature film, Moana 2. It is the sequel to the 2016 hit Moana, and takes place 3 years later. 

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino. Music by Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina. Starring the voices of Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as Moana and Maui. 

Moana 2 comes to theaters on November 27, 2024. Check out the trailer. 

Alice the Piper (1924)

Alice the Piper (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California on November 2, 1924.Released on December 15, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) and Julius the Cat see an ad for a reward to anybody that can rid the town of Hamlin of its rat problem. Based on the German legend, “The Pied Piper of Hamlin.” After failing to entice the rats down to the river with music to drown them Alice and Julius use a large vacuum to suck them all up. 

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Harry Forbes (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited), Mike Marcus (Camera Operator, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited), Thurston Harper (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 6:39. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical. 

Sources

Alice the Piper (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.8 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, December 15). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014658/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 31, 2024.

Alice and the Three Bears (1924)

Alice and the Three Bears (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California ca. September 25, 1924. Released on December 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Three bears are brewing moonshine when the Little Bear is sent out to find the missing ingredient, “hops.” Alice (Virginia Davis) and Julius the Cat are riding a scooter when it gets a flat tire and they fix it in a very unusual way. They stumble into the house the three bears are making moonshine when they are caught. Julius gets into a fight with the Little Bear and gets beat up while Alice is kidnapped and taken to the mill. Julius is able to recover and rescues Alice. 

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: George Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Mike Marcus (Camera Operator, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 7:13. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice and the Three Bears (Short 1924) ⭐ 4.8 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, December 1). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014660/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Alice and the Three Bears is released - D23. (2019, March 20). D23. https://d23.com/this-day/alice-and-the-three-bears-is-released/

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 31, 2024.

Alice Hunting in Africa (1924)

Alice Hunting in Africa (1924) was released on November 15, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions. Live action was shot for this film but was reportedly deleted prior to release and not present in any copies I could find.

Alice (Virginia Davis) is in Safari in Africa where she starts out chasing a bear while riding a donkey and then is chased by the bear. She meets up with Julius the cat who is riding an elephant while she rides a camel. Julius shoots at several animals, including a lion, giraffe and a cheetah and Alice chases a mouse around. Finally, the cheetah returns the favor and chases Julius.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Roy O. Disney (Camera Operator, uncredited). Animation Department: Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 6:45. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice Hunting in Africa (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.5 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, November 15). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014657/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 31,2024. 

Alice Gets in Dutch (1924)

Alice Gets in Dutch (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California in August 1924. Had its premiere at Piccadilly Theatre in New York City, New York on October 20, 1924. Released on November 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) gets in trouble after misbehaving in class. After being forced to sit in the corner she dreams that her and three friends, a cat, pup and donkey are dancing and singing. They are interrupted by a mean school teacher and her walking schoolbooks. A war ensues between the two groups with each launching their canons toward each other.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: George Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Harry Forbes (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited), Mike Marcus (Camera Operator: animation, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Tommy Hicks (Fat Kid, uncredited), David F. Hollander (Boy with Dark Hair, uncredited), Leon Holmes (Tubby Fishing Pal, uncredited), Mrs. Hunt (Schoolteacher, uncredited), Peggy the German shepherd (dog), Spec O’Donnell (uncredited), Marjorie Sewell (Schoolgirl).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 9:52. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical. 

Sources

Alice Gets in Dutch (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.5 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, November 1). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014656/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 30, 2024.

Walt Disney Treasures - Alice’s Cartoon World: An Interview with Virginia Davis

Walt Disney Treasures is a series of 2-disc DVD collections of classic Disney cartoons, television episodes and other material related to The Walt Disney Company. They were released in a total of nine waves between 2001 and 2009. The idea of a collector oriented series showcasing classic Disney shorts was pitched by film critic and historian Leonard Maltin in 2000 to then chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, Dick Cook. Dick Cook liked the idea and the episodes were hosted by Leoard Maltin. The series ended in 2009 after Dick Cook left the company and the new management were not interested in continuing the series. 

Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts: 1920s - 1960s, Disc One contained a bonus feature titled, Alice’s Cartoon World: An Interview with Virginia Davis. In this bonus feature, Leonard Maltin interviews, Virginia Davis, who portrayed the little girl, Alice, in Walt’s silent comedies of the 1920s. More specifically, the Alice Comedies made between 1923 and 1927.  Virginia Davis played Alice starting with pilot, Alice’s Wonderland and was in a total of 15 shorts. 

Since I’m currently researching and posting about the Alice Comedies I thought this would be a great time to share this. Check out Leonard Maltin’s interview with Virginia Davis below.

Alice the Peacemaker (1924)

Alice the Peacemaker (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Released on August 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) breaks up a fight between two rival newsboys by telling them a story about a cat and mouse who was fighting. Ike the Mouse and Mike the Cat are both thieves who are trying to steal food from the same ice box which leads to a fight. Alice gets the two to reconcile. A police dog sees a wanted poster for the two and Alice has to help them try and escape.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited), Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Harry Forbes (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited), Mike Marcus (Camera Operator: animation, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Tommy Hicks (Fat Kid, uncredited), Leon Holmes (Tubby Newsboy, uncredited), Spec O’Donnell (Freckle-Faced Newsboy, uncredited).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 7:35 (although videos on YouTube are 10+ minutes). Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice the Peacemaker (Short 1924) ⭐ 6.0 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, August 1). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014661/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 30, 2024.

Alice and the Dog Catcher (1924)

Alice and the Dog Catcher (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Released on July 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) leads a meeting of a secret club, when they learn about dog catchers in the neighborhood. She tells a story of dogs being captured and tossed into a penitentiary for dogs, where she rescues them. The story inspires the members of the club to take action and save the dogs from the real-life dog catchers.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Harry Forbes (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Joe Allen (uncredited), Virginia Davis (Alice), Tommy Hicks (uncredited), Leon Holmes (uncredited). 

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 12:26. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice and the Dog Catcher (Short 1924) ⭐ 4.8 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, July 1). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014659/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 29, 2024. 

Alice’s Fishy Story (1924)

Alice’s Fishy Story (1924) had a preview at Bard’s Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, California in May 1924. Released on June 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) is at her piano lesson and all her friends are going fishing. Alice sneaks away from the lesson and catches up with her friends. While at the fishing hole she shares the story about the time she was fishing at the North Pole. Then her and her cat noticed the fish went on strike, threatening the Eskimos with starvation. The cat saved the day when he feeds the fish chewing tobacco and when they surface to spit, he clubs them on the head.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Roy O. Disney (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Walt Disney (Auto Driver, uncredited), Tommy Hicks (uncredited), Leon Holmes (Tubby Fishing Pal, uncredited), Peggy the German shepherd (dog). 

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 11:15. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical. 

Sources

Alice’s Fishy Story (Short 1924) ⭐ 4.6 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, June 1). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014663/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 29, 2024. 

Alice’s Wild West Show (1924)

Alice’s Wild West Show (1924) was released on May 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) and her friends put on a show, the Big Wild West Show. She tells stories of how she as a stagecoach driver escaped Indians and as Sheriff m, she chased down a safe robber. A group of hecklers sitting in the audience boo her and threw stuff on the stage before Alice chases them away and teaches one boy a lesson.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Roy O. Disney (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited). Animation Department: Lillian Bounds (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited), Kathleen Dollard (Ink and Paint, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Leon Holmes (Tubby O’Brien, uncredited), Tommy Hicks (uncredited). 

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 12:42. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice’s Wild West Show (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.8 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, May 1). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014665/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 29, 2024. 

Alice’s Spooky Adventure (1924)

Alice’s Spooky Adventure (1924) was released on April 1, 1924. Produced by the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions.

Alice (Virginia Davis) is playing baseball in a local sandlot. When the tubby boy (Leon Holmes) hits the ball through the window of an abandoned house, Alice is the only one brave enough to retrieve the ball. After going in the house, Alice is knocked out by falling plaster and enters a spooky cartoon dreamland called Spookville. She rescues a cat in a blanket, who would in later Alice Comedies become Julius the Cat. The cat is chased around Spookville by ghosts and Alice steps in and saves him again. After waking up she finds the ball and when she leaves the house is confronted by a police officer.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Editor: M.J. Winkler. Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Roy O. Disney (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited). Animation Department: Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited), Rollin Hamilton (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Leon Holmes (tubby boy, uncredited), Spec O’Donnell (uncredited). 

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 6:10. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice’s Spooky Adventure (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.3 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, April 1). IMDb.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014664/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe.

Updated May 29, 2024. 

Alice’s Day at Sea (1924)

Alice’s Day at Sea (1924) was released on March 1, 1924. The first Alice Comedy produced at the new Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Distributed by M.J. Winkler Productions. Partially remade in January of 1925 with new and revised animation by Rollin Hamilton, Ub Iwerks and Thurston Harper.

Alice’s (Virginia Davis) dog (Peggy the German shepherd) drives Alice to the beach. There Alice meets an old sailer who tells her a story about the time his ship sank. Alice falls asleep in a boat on the beach and dreams she is sailing in a ship that sinks. At the bottom of the sea there is a fish band playing music, a cat fish and her children, animals from King Nep’s Zoo and a police fish directing fish traffic. Alice is chased by a large fish and an octopus before waking back up in the little boat she fell asleep in.

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney. Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney (uncredited).  Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Camera and Electrical Department: Roy O. Disney (Camera Operator: live-action scenes, uncredited). Animation Department: Walt Disney (Animator, uncredited). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Peggy the German shepherd (dog).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 11:20. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice’s Day at Sea (Short 1924) ⭐ 5.4 | Animation, short, comedy. (1924, March 1). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0014662/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe. 

Updated May 29, 2024. 

Alice’s Wonderland (1923)

Alice’s Wonderland (1923) was started by Walt and his staff at the Laugh-O-gram Films Inc. studio in Kansas City, Missouri. When the studio failed and he had to file bankruptcy, Walt left Kansas City and headed to Los Angeles, California with the unfinished film with him. In Los Angeles, he teamed up with his older brother Roy O. Disney and they used Alice’s Wonderland as a pilot to secure a distribution deal with Margaret Winkler and M.J. Winkler Productions. The date the deal was signed, October 16, 1923, is acknowledged as the release date of the film as well as the beginning of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, know today as The Walt Disney Company.

In Alice’s Wonderland, Alice (Virginia Davis) visits a cartoon studio where she watches cartoon characters appear to come to life. That night, Alice dreams she visits Cartoonland. There she interacts with many cartoon animal characters before being chased by a pack of lions and escaping by jumping off a cliff. She is awakened from her dream by her mother (Louise A. Wright). 

Cast and Crew: Director: Walt Disney, Hugh Harman (uncredited), Carman Maxwell (uncredited). Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited). Writer: Walt Disney. Cinematographer: Rudolf Ising (as Rudolph Ising), Ub Iwerks (as Ubbe Iwwerks). Visual Effects: George Lowerre (Cameraman, uncredited). Animation Department: Hugh Harman (Animator, uncredited), Rudolf Ising (Animator, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (Animator, uncredited), Carman Maxwell (Animator, uncredited); Additional Crew: Hugh Harman (Technical Director), Carman Maxwell (Technical Director). Cast: Virginia Davis (Alice), Walt Disney (himself, uncredited), Hugh Harman (himself, uncredited), Rudolf Ising (himself, uncredited), Ub Iwerks (himself, uncredited), Louise A. Wright (Alice’s mother, uncredited).

Technical Specifications: Running Time: 12:29. Animation Type: Combination live-action and standard animation. Sound Mix: Silent. Color: Black and White. Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1. Negative Format: 35mm. Printed Film Format: 35mm. Cinematographic Process: Spherical.

Sources

Alice’s Wonderland (Short 1923) ⭐ 6.4 | Animation, comedy, short. (1923, October 16). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0013823/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press. 

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe. 

Alice Comedies (1923-1927)

The Alice Comedies (1923-1927) were series of 57 animated / live-action silent films initially created by Walt Disney and his staff in Kansas City, Missouri at the Laugh-O-grams Films Inc. studio in 1923. In the series, a little girl named Alice and sometimes some of her friends visit cartoon lands and have adventures. The first film produced was Alice’s Wonderland and starred Virginia Davis as Alice but was not completed. Inspired by Max Fleischer’s Out of the Inkwell series (1919-1929) where cartoon characters interacted with people in live-action situations. When the Laugh-O-grams studio failed and Walt had to file for bankruptcy in the summer of 1923, he left for Los Angeles, California with no more than a suitcase, $40 and the unfinished Alice’s Wonderland film. The film was never released commercially as it was tied up in the bankruptcy dealings with Laugh-O-grams FilmsInc, it was used as a pilot in attempts to secure distributors. A deal was reached with Margaret Winkler and M.J. Winkler Productions to distribute the Alice Comedies and a contract was signed on October 16, 1923. This date marked the beginning of the Walt Disney Company, then known as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Walt directed and produced all 57 short films (including Alice’s Wonderland that was never released) and over the course of the series, four actresses played the role of Alice: Virginia Davis (15 episodes), Margie Gay (31 episodes), Dawn O’Day (1 episode) and Lois Hardwick (10 episodes).

1923: Alice’s Wonderland (October 16; never released theatrically)

1924: Alice’s Day at Sea (March 1), Alice’s Spooky Adventure (April 1), Alice’s Wild West Show (May 1), Alice’s Fishy Story (June 1), Alice the Dog Catcher (July 1), Alice the Peacemaker (August 1), Alice Gets in Dutch (November 1), Alice Hunting in Africa (November 15), Alice and the Three Bears (December 1), Alice the Piper (December 15).

1925: Alice Cans the Cannibals (January 1), Alice the Toreador (January 15), Alice Gets Stung (February 1), Alice Solves the Puzzle (February 15), Alice’s Egg Plant (May 17), Alice Loses Out (June 15), Alice Gets Stage Struck (June 23), Alice Wins the Derby (July 12), Alice Picks the Champ (July 30), Alice Chops the Suey (August 17), Alice the Jail Bird (September 15), Alice’s Tin Pony (September 20), Alice Plays Cupid (October 15), Alice Rattled by Rats (November 15), Alice in the Jungle (December 15).

1926: Alice on the Farm (January 1), Alice’s Balloon Race (January 15), Alice’s Orphan (January 15), Alice’s Little Parade (February 1), Alice’s Mysterious Mystery (February 15), Alice Charms the Fish (September 6), Alice’s Monkey Business (September 20), Alice in the Wooly West (October 4), Alice the Fire Fighter (October 18), Alice Cuts the Ice (November 1), Alice Helps the Romance (November 15), Alice’s Spanish Guitar (November 29), Alice’s Brown Derby (December 13), Alice the Lumber Jack (December 27).

1927: Alice the Golf Bug (January 10), Alice Foils the Pirates (January 24), Alice at the Carnival (February 7), Alice’s Rodeo; aka Alice at the Rodeo (February 21), Alice the Collegiate (March 7), Alice in the Alps (March 21), Alice’s Auto Race (April 4), Alice’s Circus Daze (April 18), Alice’s Knaughty Knight (May 2), Alice’s Three Bad Eggs (May 16), Alice’s Picnic (May 30), Alice’s Channel Swim (June 13), Alice in the Klondike (June 27), Alice’s Medicine Show (July 11), Alice the Whaler (July 25), Alice the Beach Nut (August 8), Alice in the Big League (August 22).

Sources

Hollywood Cartoonland: Walt Disney’s Alice Comedies | The Walt Disney Family Museum. (n.d.) https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/hollywood-cartoonland-walt-disneys-alice-comedies

Merritt, R., & Kaufman, J.B. (2000). Walt in wonderland: The silent films of Walt Disney. Johns Hopkins University Press. 

Vagnini, S., & Smith, D. (2023). Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Disney Editions Deluxe. 

Welcome to the Disney Movie and Film Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Disney Movie and Film Encyclopedia. I will be documenting movies and films from throughout Disney history - Alice Comedies, Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoons, animated feature films, live-action films, made for television films and the people that made it possible. Each movie / film entry will have a synopsis, release date, technical specs, cast and crew, awards won just to name a few items. Entries about people will have birth dates, death dates, filmography and awards won just to name a few items. This will be an on going project with stuff added often.