ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Release date: February 1, 2011
Blu-ray

It’s a wonder that the film that Walt Disney felt was a mistake because it had very little heart in it has won its way into our hearts over the years with Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Queen of Hearts and more songs than any other Disney animated feature! This classic now takes you to Wonderland in high-definition with the stunning blu-ray release.

What seems to be the fantastic standard for blu-ray releases, this disc includes the bonus features from the previous DVD release along with a few new features exclusive to blu-ray.

As for the CLASSIC DVD BONUS FEATURES there is the THRU THE MIRROR classic Mickey Mouse animated short based “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” There’s also the historic very first 1923 Disney live action/animated Alice comedy, “Alice’s Wonderland.” There are the original theatrical trailers and some Walt Disney TV introductions from when “Alice in Wonderland” appeared on his television programs and an interactive art gallery.

In REFLECTIONS OF ALICE (13:33) both historians and artists discuss the film and some of its interesting facts and background.

There are some really wonderful rare pieces that I’m so glad were also included. These include:

There’s quite a few DELETED MATERIALS as well as “I’m Odd,” a newly discovered Cheshire Cat song. Alice’s voice, Kathryn Beaumont narrates a piece about the song “Beyond the Laughing Sky,” which was ultimately cut from the film, but the melody became “Second Star to the Right” in “Peter Pan.” There are also two demos of the song set to original concept artwork for the film. There’s an entire deleted scene narrated by Disney veterans John Musker and Ron Clements, and there’s a deleted storyboard concept as well.

Although not set to visuals, there are also six songs that didn’t make it to the final film which are a joy to hear!

There are three treasures, each of which is a vintage production:

ONE HOUR IN WONDERLAND is Walt Disney’s very first television production. Although it’s a promotion for the film, it’s a fantastic piece of both entertainment and television and Disney history. Walt Disney stars in this show along with Kathryn Beaumont, Bobby Driscoll (who would soon provide the voice for Peter Pan with Kathryn playing the voice of Wendy), Hans Conreid (the voice of Captain Hook) portrays the slave in the Magic Mirror. Even Walt’s daughters Diane and Sharon are on hand for the fun.

In a half hour excerpt from THE FRED WARING SHOW, the popular big band Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians pays tribute to “Alice in Wonderland” with the first time the music was heard on television. Guests Sterling Holloway and Kathryn Beaumont portray live action versions of their characters Alice and Cheshire Cat, along with various people dressed like the other characters (including a mustached Queen of Hearts).

OPERATION WONDERLAND (11:00) is a vintage gem that visits behind the scenes during the preparation and filming of “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s truly amazing and includes fantastic rare footage such as the live action reference with Jerry Colonna (the March Hare) and Ed Wynn (The Mad Hatter).

With all of these treasures on the previous DVD release there wasn’t much more to include on the blu-ray, but Disney managed to still scrape up a few rare pieces and a new unique look at the film.

BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE:

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE: A COMPANION’S GUIDE TO WONDERLAND

This very creative bonus feature is the full length of the movie, which plays throughout. It takes a very different look at everything Alice, and with both Disney historians as well as Lewis Carroll experts it offers unique information beyond just the Disney version of the story.

Although REFERENCE FOOTAGE: ALICE AND THE DOORKNOB (:47) is less than a minute (plus and introduction by Kathryn Beaumont), it’s no less fascinating to get a new brief glimpse into the process, with young Kathy acting out her part in live action for the animator’s reference.

The PENCIL TEST: ALICE SHRINKS is another newly discovered treasure, albeit brief. Be sure to watch this both with the interesting commentary by Kathryn Beaumont as well as without, in which case it is compared with the final animation.

Lastly, there’s the PAINTING THE ROSES RED GAME. This is a themed puzzle game which took my son 45 fun minutes to complete.

Hope this helps you know what’s on the blu-ray and doesn’t leave you curiouser and curiouser.