Alice (1990)

Director:

Woody Allen

Writer (WGA):

Woody Allen (written by)

Release Date:

10 January 1991 (Argentina)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

A younger man and a bolder woman

Plot:

A spoiled Manhattan housewife re-evaluates her life after visiting a Chinatown healer.

Plot Keywords:

Identity Crisis | Hypnotism | Homemaker | Invisible Man | Invisibility

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Joe Mantegna	...	Joe
Mia Farrow	...	Alice
William Hurt	...	Doug
June Squibb	...	Hilda
Marceline Hugot	...	Monica
Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow	...	Kate
Matthew H. Williamson	...	Dennis (as Matt Williamson)
Julie Kavner	...	Decorator
Billy Taylor	...	Trainer
Holland Taylor	...	Helen
Michael-Vaughn Sullivan	...	Hairstylist
Robin Bartlett	...	Nina
Linda Wallem	...	Penny
Gina Gallagher	...	Joe's Daughter
Patience Moore	...	School Teacher
Kim Chan	...	Dr. Yang's Patient
Diane Cheng	...	Dr. Yang's Assistant
Keye Luke	...	Dr. Yang
Lynda Bridges	...	Saleslady
Anthony Cortino	...	Dog Groomer
Judy Davis	...	Vicki
Cybill Shepherd	...	Nancy Brill
Alec Baldwin	...	Ed
Katja Schumann	...	Circus Equestrian
Vanessa Thomas	...	Circus Aerialist
Blythe Danner	...	Dorothy
Gwen Verdon	...	Alice's Mother
Patrick O'Neal	...	Alice's Father
Kristy Graves	...	Alice at 18 Yrs.
Laurie Nayber	...	Young Dorothy
Rachel Miner	...	Alice at 12 Yrs.
Amy Barrett	...	Mrs. Keyes (as Amy Louise Barret)
Caroline Aaron	...	Sue
Alexi Henry	...	Kimberly
James Toback	...	Professor
Bernadette Peters	...	Muse
Elle Macpherson	...	Model
Ira Wheeler	...	Office Xmas Party Guest
Lisa Marie	...	Office Xmas Party Guest
Diane Salinger	...	Carol
Alfred Cherry	...	Vicki's Analyst
David Spielberg	...	Ken
Bob Balaban	...	Sid Moscowitz
Peggy Miley	...	Dorothy's Maid
George J. Manos	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest (as George Manos)
Kim Weston-Moran	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
Peter Tolan	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
Kenneth Edelson	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
Marvin Terban	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
James McDaniel	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
Roy Attaway	...	Dorothy's Xmas Party Guest
Jodi Long	...	Park Avenue Couples
Suzanne O'Neill	...	Park Avenue Couples
Don Snell	...	Park Avenue Couples
Robert Polenz	...	Park Avenue Couples
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Stein	...	Nun (uncredited)

Directed by
Woody Allen

Writing credits (WGA)
Woody Allen		(written by)

Produced by
Robert Greenhut	....	producer
Joseph Hartwick	....	co-producer
Charles H. Joffe	....	executive producer
Jane Read Martin	....	associate producer
Thomas A. Reilly	....	associate producer (as Thomas Reilly)
Helen Robin	....	co-producer
Jack Rollins	....	executive producer

Cinematography by
Carlo Di Palma		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Susan E. Morse

Casting by
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Santo Loquasto

Art Direction by
Speed Hopkins

Set Decoration by
Susan Bode

Costume Design by
Jeffrey Kurland

Makeup Department
Fern Buchner	....	make-up artist
Romaine Greene	....	hairstylist

Production Management
Jonathan Filley	....	assistant production manager
Joseph Hartwick	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Stella Kim	....	dga trainee
Richard Patrick	....	second assistant director
Thomas A. Reilly	....	first assistant director (as Thomas Reilly)
Debra Kent	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Joseph Alfieri	....	standby carpenter (as Joe Alfieri)
Vincent Guarriello	....	chief construction grip
Glenn Lloyd	....	art department coordinator
James Mazzola	....	property master
Ron Petagna	....	construction coordinator
Cosmo Sorice	....	standby scenic artist
James Sorice	....	master scenic artist
Dave Weinman	....	set dresser
Frank Didio	....	head carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lee Dichter	....	re-recording mixer: Sound One Corporation
Frank Graziadei	....	sound recordist
Robert Hein	....	supervising sound editor (as Bob Hein)
Tony Martinez	....	sound editor
Sylvia Menno	....	assistant sound editor
Jay Rabinowitz	....	assistant sound editor
James Sabat	....	production sound mixer
Louis Sabat	....	boom operator

Special Effects by
Robert Harman	....	special effects rigging (as Bob Harman)

Visual Effects by
Jeff Balsmeyer	....	visual effects storyboard
Randall Balsmeyer	....	visual effects supervisor: Balsmeyer & Everett
Don Canfield	....	motion control operator
Stanley W. Sayer	....	blue screen consultant: Balsmeyer & Everett (as Stan Sayer)
Angus Bickerton	....	optical cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
Lee Sheward	....	stunt double: Alec Baldwin (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ronald Burke	....	dolly grip
Michael Caracciolo	....	second assistant cameraperson
John Connell	....	gyrosphere assistant camera
Michael Green	....	assistant cameraperson
Brian Hamill	....	still photographer
Michael Kelem	....	gyrosphere camera operator (as Mike Kelem)
Jim Manzione	....	best boy
Dick Mingalone	....	camera operator
Ray Quinlan	....	gaffer
Jim Vecchio	....	camera assistant trainee
Robert Ward	....	key grip (as Bob Ward)
Howard Weiner	....	video engineer

Casting Department
Judie Fixler	....	additional casting: Todd Thaler Casting
Ellen Lewis	....	casting associate
Laura Rosenthal	....	casting assistant
David H. Kramer	....	adr voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bill Christians	....	wardrobe supervisor: men's
Patricia Eiben	....	wardrobe supervisor: women's
Lauren Gibson	....	costume assistant
Eric Mendelsohn	....	costume assistant
Donna Zakowska	....	assistant costume designer
Ursula Schrader	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
William Kruzykowski	....	assistant film editor
Mark Livolsi	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
The Big Apple Circus Band	....	performers: The Courier
Linda Hudes	....	composer: The Courier
Wayne King & His Orchestra	....	performers: Alice Blue Gown

Transportation Department
Harold 'Whitey' McEvoy	....	transportation captain
Peter Tavis	....	transportation captain
Patrick Hogan	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Tom Amos	....	production assistant
Stacy Augenstein	....	production assistant
Jody Banks	....	location scout
Andrew Bernstein	....	production assistant
Jerry Caron	....	assistant production coordinator
Kay Chapin	....	script supervisor
James A. Davis	....	location scout
Antoine Douaihy	....	location scout
Michael Jackman	....	assistant production auditor
Peter Lombardi	....	production auditor
Brian Mannain	....	studio manager
Jane Read Martin	....	assistant to: Mr. Allen
Megan Monaghan	....	location scout
Justin Moritt	....	production assistant
Danielle Rigby	....	production assistant
Dana Robin	....	location manager
Helen Robin	....	production coordinator
Scott Schaffer	....	craft service (as Scott Shaffer)
Monty Simons	....	production assistant
Carl Turnquest Jr.	....	projectionist
Gilbert S. Williams	....	studio manager
Aleks Zivanovich	....	production assistant
Thomas Patrick Petrilla	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Aaron Sadovsky	....	production assistant: New York (uncredited)
Matthew T. Weiner	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nicholas Wolfert	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Marv Alpert	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance: NBA Entertainment
Al Cerullo	....	the producers wish to thank: Island Helicopter Corporation (as Al Cerullo Jr.)
Mary Lance	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance
Louis Malle	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance: "Calcutta" movie
Kati Meister	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance
Sheila Metzner	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance: photographs courtesy of
Jack Piccuro	....	the producers wish to thank for their assistance

Production Companies

• Orion Pictures Corporation (A Jack Rollins and Charles H. Joffe Production)

Distributors

• Orion Pictures Corporation (1990) (USA) (theatrical) (An Orion Pictures Release)
• Orion Pictures Corporation (1990) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• LK-TEL (1991) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Cecchi Gori Home Video (2004) (Italy) (DVD)
• LK-TEL Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (worldwide) (DVD)

Special Effects

• 3/Design Studio (practical effects)
• Balsmeyer and Everett (visual effects) (as Balsmeyer & Everett, Inc)

Other Companies

• 20th Century Draperies  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as 20th Century Draperies, Inc.)
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as Albert G. Rubin Insurance Co., Inc.)
• Ben Kahn Furs  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as Furs by Ben Kahn)
• Cartier  the producers wish to thank for their assistance
• Effects House, The  optical effects and titles
• General Camera Corporation  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as General Camera Corp.)
• Island Helicopter  the producers wish to thank for their assistance: Al Cerullo Jr. (as Island Helicopter Corporation)
• J.G. Films  negative cutting (as J.G. Films, Inc.)
• Kaufman Astoria Studios  filmed at (as Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York)
• Magic Camera Company, The  additional optical effects
• Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, The  the producers wish to thank for their assistance
• NBA Entertainment  the producers wish to thank for their assistance
• New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development  the producers wish to thank for their assistance
• New York Zoological Society  the producers wish to thank for their assistance
• PMK Public Relations  publicity
• Pan American World Airways  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as Pan American Airways)
• Preston Camera Systems  the producers wish to thank for their assistance: gyrosphere provided by
• Producer's Library Service  stock footage research (as Producers Library Service)
• Ralph Lauren  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as The Polo Ralph Lauren Store)
• Sherman Grinberg Film Libraries  clip footage: Mother Teresa provided by
• Sound One Corporation  re-recording mixer (as Sound One Corp.)
• Star Lighting Enterprises  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as Star Lighting Enterprises, Ltd.)
• Todd Thaler Casting  additional casting
• Valentino's Costumes  the producers wish to thank for their assistance (as Valentino Boutique New York City)
• Video 35  video production

Also Known As:

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (Mono)

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Iceland:L | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | UK:12 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (1991) | USA:PG-13 | Australia:PG | South Korea:15 | Netherlands:AL | Portugal:M/12 (Qualidade) | USA:Approved (PCA #30686) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

64 Perry Street, Manhattan, New York, USA

Company:

Orion Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Sean Young filmed a small role but it was later cut. She had previously been deleted from Woody Allen's previous film Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as well.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Thelonious Monk's version of "Darn That Dream" appears on the soundtrack, the LP sleeve of "Monk's Dream" is shown, implying that Alice and Joe are listening to it. However the tune is not featured on that album.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Doug:Hey, where are you now?
Alice:Nowhere.
Doug:It's late, I have to go.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

World Music

Woody Exorcises Ghosts in the Yuppie Attic!

Woody returns to his beloved metaphysical turf, last seen in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY, STARDUST MEMORIES and THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO, in this weird and wonderful fantasy illustrating the existential angst of the vacuous, bored near-rich.

With the claustrophobic urban setting, rich dialogue, lush orchestration and highly-choreographed cinematography, ALICE also covers much of the same aesthetic and psychological territory as Allen's stunning HUSBANDS AND WIVES.

Although Allen is visually absent, this movie is about as close to pure, unvarnished autobiography as Woody will ever get (and all of his films are truly revealing). Allen appears both cynical and loving of the upper-middle class New Yorker lifestyle, a lifestyle he assuredly is intimately familiar with (and most likely has a love-hate relationship with as well). Hurt is a great Woody Allen clone, all of the whining and neurosis without any of the charm, almost as loveless a character as Richard Benjamin in DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE.

And Mia Farrow, in her little child hat and squeaky child voice, is an unformed child-woman, a non-person in a world of predatory men, and her emancipation, although supernatural, is nonetheless exciting and enchanting.

ALICE is super-existential, displaying vividly the whole notion of modern alienation in the garb of temporal non-existence. (Its great when Allen injects fantasy elements into his films, because it is as fantasist, rather than whiny orator, that he truly becomes a profound philosopher.)

Allen uses intoxication and hypnosis as excuses to weave intricate, innovative flashbacks, and Alice encounters some very Hamlet-like ghosts as well, who give her advise reminiscent of another great ghost-god in Allen's PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM. A classic scene occurs when Alice dumps a Chinese love potion into the punch bowl at a party, and every dork instantly wants to marry her! Allen very successfully covers some strange territory here.