Ever since the Mistress was a wee one, I have always liked the story of Alice In Wonderland. I can not wait to go see Tim Burton's version of the masterpiece in March when it is released. And my favorite characters has always been the Queen of Hearts. Over the years, I have seen many versions of the movie and the actress who played the part. What's not to love about the Queen? She wears all the over the top make-up, huge gowns, ornate head piece and jewelry, and always has a elegant coif! A drag queens dream come true! Hell the Mistress even did a Queen of Hearts one year.! Complete with a huge red feather heart shaped fan! But no, there has been many actress who played the part, and each added their own twist to it. Here are some of my favorites.Miranda Richardson played the part of the Queen in NBC'S 1999 updated version from the 1985 movie. Miranda probably played the most twisted version of the part. With her voice and looks- she just looked plain old loco!
Jayne Meadows, who I loved as a actress, really did a good Queen. Boy was she mean as hell! She played the part in NBC'S version in 1985. It was a three night event! Yea, I have that one on VHS!
Teri Hacther played the part in a LA stage version.
Helena Bonham Carter will be playing the part in the much anticipated movie version.
Katy Bates will be playing the part in the up-coming Sci-Fi Channel's futurist version of the story.
The other character I liked was Carol Channing's White Queen in the musical version of NBC'S 1985 movie. How can one not like Carol's raspy voice,her wailing of the arms, and her plain old campiness! And she does sound like a sheep before the transformation. Here she is singing Jam from the movie. Tootles!
What a wonderful post! I too love the story. Ican't wait to see the Burton movie either. I think Helena is going to nail the part. And I had forgot about the 1985 movie. I LOVED that movie. Kinda cheesy now, but campy! Jayne was excellent, I agree!
ReplyDeleteI remember watching the 1985 movie. What an event that was!! Huge! Maybe one day it will come out on DVD!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what Helena does with the part, but I ADORE Miranda Richardson. Like Bonham-Carter, she's so good at playing those weird, crazy queens and villains. (Remember her as Queen Mab in the miniseries Merlin?)
ReplyDeleteMaddie, that was tremendous fun! I'm looking forward to what Kathy Bates does with the part on Syfy and I know Helena Bonham-Carter will be perfect for her version.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for Helena's take on the queen
ReplyDeleteI was never I huge fan of the story, but I am looking forward to the Burton movie. Be intresting to see what he does with it.
ReplyDeleteI think all the actresses did a good job with the Queen of Hearts, except Teri Hatcher! I'm not sure what I think of Sci-Fi's version. Futuristic? I'm just not sure, but Kathy Bates is a wonderful actress.
ReplyDeleteThe Alice from 1985 will always be my favorite version! I just love musicals. How can one but not love Carol Channing's act in that movie as the White Queen, as she is suppose to be very absent minded! I do think Tim Burton's movie will be wonderful also. But how can you compare the two. They are two totally different movies, just like the Nolan Batman movies and the Burton Batman movies, which were meant to be more campy. And all these queens were just wondeful!
ReplyDeleteOh my God, I love the queen of hearts! I want to do a routine sometime dress liked her. Any of them would do. And I think Eric is right, Miranda did a hell of a performance! Scary! Jayne Meadows was also entertaining in the part.
ReplyDeleteI loved it when she even said "Off WITH HER HEAD" to the Dutchess, who was played by Martha Ray!
I didn't know about the Kathy Bates futuristic version. I'm looking forward to the Burton movie, too. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there were so many who played the part of the Queen of Hearts! I loved the NBC musical movie in 85' And what a cast it had! It will be intresting to see the Kathy Bates one.
ReplyDeleteCarol Channing! Loves her! I love all these movies. And I can't wait to see the two new movies.
ReplyDeleteI checked to see if you commented on the visit with Joy yet but was delighted after a grueling afternoon of work to sit and watch these vids. good find...thanks for getting me back into a wonderful mood and forgetting my aches and pains.
ReplyDeleteoxoxo Charlie