Tag Archives: Black and white

December 1, 1924 – The Alice Comedy Alice and the Three Bears Premieres in Theaters

“Ah! Hops at last!”

On December 1, 1924, the Alice Comedy Alice and the Three Bears was released to theaters. It was the 10^th Alice Comedy released, and starred Virginia Davis as Alice. Although not considered a lost film, the short has not been released on home video.

The short begins with the three bears working in a kitchen, brewing what appears to be some form of liquor. Needing hops, the smallest bear runs out of the kitchen and spies some frogs “hopping” into a pond. He tries to capture the frog, but ends up landing in the pond. There is an underwater chase before the bear chases the frog onto land and captures the frog’s “hops” in the form of word bubbles. Meanwhile, Julius and Alice ride their cart into nearby house, where they find the liquor – and the bears. They run outside and try to make a break for it, though the bear catches up with them and seems to find Alice attractive. Julius and the bear fight, with the other bears joining in. They flatten Julius and capture Alice, placing her on a sawbelt to be cut in half. Julius gets up and manages to save Alice from the bears by using his nine lives as soldiers. Julius and Alice then share a kiss after she proclaims him her hero.

November 15, 1924 – The Alice Comedy Alice Hunting in Africa is Released to Theaters

“I sincerely believe I have made a great deal of improvement on this subject in the line of humorous situations and I assure you that I will make it a point to inject as many funny gags and comical situations into future productions…”

On November 15, 1924, the Alice Comedy Alice Hunting in Africa premiered in theaters. The short, starring Virginia Davis as Alice, was actually the third Alice Comedy produced, but it was not released due to concerns from the distributor that it wasn’t funny enough. The short would then be released months later as the ninth Alice Comedy. While not a lost film, the film has not been released on home video.

October 15, 1925 – The Alice Comedy Alice Plays Cupid is Released to Theaters

On October 15, 1925, the Alice Comedy Alice Plays Cupid premiered in theaters. It was the 24^th Alice Comedy released, and the ninth starring second Alice actress Margie Gay. The short features Alice helping pal Julius, working as a lifeguard, get the girl he saves. While not a lost film, the short has not been released on home video.

August 22, 1927 – The Final Alice Comedy Alice in the Big League Premieres in Theaters

On August 22, 1927, the 57^th and final Alice Comedy, Alice in the Big League, was released to theaters. It starred Lois Hardwick as the fourth and final actress to play Alice. By the time this short film was released, it had become apparent to Walt, as well as his distributor Charles Mintz, that the Alice Comedies had run their course, with Alice not serving well as a comedic figure and Julius the cat providing most of the comedic intrigue; Walt was also working with Ub Iwerks on the first cartoon of what would become Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. While Alice in the Big League is not a lost cartoon, it has not been released on home video.