Alice In Wonderland (1966) - with Bob Fischer

In 1966 Jonathan Miller's BBC Television adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic children's story caused something of a moral panic, even before it was broadcast. Amidst much foot-stamping, harrumphing and letters to the Editor the point was very much missed - yes, it was to be screened after nine o'clock in the evening and was not aimed at children but not because it contained questionable material (or, as some believed, 'X-rated filth'!). The writer and performer Bob Fischer first saw Miller's Alice In Wonderland about twenty-odd years ago and was immediately drawn in. It was a snapshot of the time it was made despite the period trappings, an example of early psychedelia with offbeat performances, thought-provoking visuals (inspired by Victorian photography), and an overall dreamlike undercurrent set to music by Ravi Shankar. All of it conveyed the torpor of an endless summer.Miller eschewed actors in animal costumes and was blessed with a stellar cast including Peter Sellers, Wilfrid Brambell, Peter Cook, Alan Bennett, Leo McKern and even Malcolm Muggeridge, not to mention the girl at the centre of the film, Alice herself, played by Anne-Marie Mallik. Bob & Tyler immerse themselves in the film and discuss its background, the controversy, the casting, story, score and much else besides. Bob throws in the odd Alan Bennett impression and wonders if 1966 AIW could in some ways have inspired both The Prisoner and The Rutles, and even draws some parallels with Revolver, released around the time the film was in production. Bob is @bobfischer.bsky.social‬ and as well as writing for the Fortean Times, Electronic Sound and Doctor Who Magazine is one of the people behind Mulgrave Audio and Summer Winos and tours with Scarred For Life.