Philosophy
by
Rebecca Onion
Slate
In this film made by the National Institute of Mental Health in 1971 and meant for use with 8- to 10-year-old students, Alice takes a psychedelic trip through an animated Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll’s story was a staple of drug culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Trying to speak to a young audience, people making anti-drug propaganda repurposed the tale to their own ends.
In a famous example, Jefferson Airplane’s song “White Rabbit”—a celebration of the mind-bending properties of “feeding your head”—was the inspiration for the “anonymous” book Go Ask Alice. This narrative, written in journal form, depicted the downward slide of a supposedly “real” teenage girl who goes from straight-laced goody-two-shoes to drug casualty in record time. Go Ask Alice came out in March 1971—the same year that this movie was produced.
In the beginning of this film, Alice falls into a room full of cigarette machines, medicine cabinets, marijuana leaves, and bongs. She soon has a series of disturbing encounters.
Alice comes upon the Mock Turtle smoking marijuana from a hookah; the King of Hearts, who offers her heroin; and the March Hare, a tweaker who beats his foot on the ground constantly: “You oughta have some pep pills! Uppers! Amphetamines! Speed! You feel super good.”
The Alice character is meant to be the voice of reason, lecturing the creatures: “You live in this beautiful place. It could be wonderland! And all you do is … take drugs!” But the swirling animation is so fun, it’s hard to believe that a young viewer would pay her arguments any mind.
Indeed, the National Archives’ blog Media Matters tracked down a review of the film in a 1972 publication of the National Coordinating Council on Drug Education. The NCCDE wrote that “Curious Alice” was of dubious value in the classroom, noting that viewers “may be intrigued by the fantasy world of drugs” after watching it.
- Missed It...charles Lutwidge Dodgson's Birthday
Probably the most beloved child literature author was born on January 27th,1832. Adults enjoy his literature too. Above is a snap of a stage production of Alice in Wonderland taken by Victorian society photographer Alexander Bassano in 1900 at the Vaudeville...
- Alice Through The Years
Alice Liddell Now that the Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland has come and almost gone, here are some of those who portrayed Alice [Time]. "Through the Looking Glass: The Many Alices of Wonderland" by Allie Townsend March 5th, 2010 Time Wonderland?...
- Allure Of Alice
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland opened yesterday and unfortunately the critics and emails I am receiving are not too thrilled. One of the big complaints was the over use of 3D and CGI. Told ya. Anyway, Carroll's Alice endures and one wonders...
- Wonderland...an Essay By Gerrick D. Kennedy
"Philosophy prof uses 'Wonderland' to answer the big questions" by Gerrick D. Kennedy February 27th, 2010 The Los Angeles Times Are you ready for a trip down the rabbit hole? Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Disney are adding a strange new chapter...
- Lewis Carroll Fun
"Nearly Deafened And Disoriented, Alice Is Besieged By The Carcophonic Chaos Of Fifty Two Mischievous Playing Cards"--Mercury "Alice In Wonderland: An Interactive Adventure" "Alice's Maze" Lewis Carroll’s Puzzle Page ...
Philosophy
Go ask Alice and try some drugs
"A Psychedelic Anti-Drug Film From 1971 That Made Drugs Look Pretty Fun"
by
Rebecca Onion
Slate
In this film made by the National Institute of Mental Health in 1971 and meant for use with 8- to 10-year-old students, Alice takes a psychedelic trip through an animated Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll’s story was a staple of drug culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Trying to speak to a young audience, people making anti-drug propaganda repurposed the tale to their own ends.
In a famous example, Jefferson Airplane’s song “White Rabbit”—a celebration of the mind-bending properties of “feeding your head”—was the inspiration for the “anonymous” book Go Ask Alice. This narrative, written in journal form, depicted the downward slide of a supposedly “real” teenage girl who goes from straight-laced goody-two-shoes to drug casualty in record time. Go Ask Alice came out in March 1971—the same year that this movie was produced.
In the beginning of this film, Alice falls into a room full of cigarette machines, medicine cabinets, marijuana leaves, and bongs. She soon has a series of disturbing encounters.
Alice comes upon the Mock Turtle smoking marijuana from a hookah; the King of Hearts, who offers her heroin; and the March Hare, a tweaker who beats his foot on the ground constantly: “You oughta have some pep pills! Uppers! Amphetamines! Speed! You feel super good.”
The Alice character is meant to be the voice of reason, lecturing the creatures: “You live in this beautiful place. It could be wonderland! And all you do is … take drugs!” But the swirling animation is so fun, it’s hard to believe that a young viewer would pay her arguments any mind.
Indeed, the National Archives’ blog Media Matters tracked down a review of the film in a 1972 publication of the National Coordinating Council on Drug Education. The NCCDE wrote that “Curious Alice” was of dubious value in the classroom, noting that viewers “may be intrigued by the fantasy world of drugs” after watching it.
- Missed It...charles Lutwidge Dodgson's Birthday
Probably the most beloved child literature author was born on January 27th,1832. Adults enjoy his literature too. Above is a snap of a stage production of Alice in Wonderland taken by Victorian society photographer Alexander Bassano in 1900 at the Vaudeville...
- Alice Through The Years
Alice Liddell Now that the Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland has come and almost gone, here are some of those who portrayed Alice [Time]. "Through the Looking Glass: The Many Alices of Wonderland" by Allie Townsend March 5th, 2010 Time Wonderland?...
- Allure Of Alice
Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland opened yesterday and unfortunately the critics and emails I am receiving are not too thrilled. One of the big complaints was the over use of 3D and CGI. Told ya. Anyway, Carroll's Alice endures and one wonders...
- Wonderland...an Essay By Gerrick D. Kennedy
"Philosophy prof uses 'Wonderland' to answer the big questions" by Gerrick D. Kennedy February 27th, 2010 The Los Angeles Times Are you ready for a trip down the rabbit hole? Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Disney are adding a strange new chapter...
- Lewis Carroll Fun
"Nearly Deafened And Disoriented, Alice Is Besieged By The Carcophonic Chaos Of Fifty Two Mischievous Playing Cards"--Mercury "Alice In Wonderland: An Interactive Adventure" "Alice's Maze" Lewis Carroll’s Puzzle Page ...