Alice Comedies – Disney’s First Live‑Action/Cartoon Experiments

If you’ve ever watched a Disney movie, you might not realize that Walt Disney started out making short films that combined real kids with cartoons. Those shorts are called the Alice Comedies, and they’re a big reason Disney got a foothold in Hollywood.

What the Alice Comedies Actually Are

Back in the 1920s, Walt Disney teamed up with a producer named Margaret J. Winkler. Together they created a series where a live‑action girl named Alice (played by a kid named Virginia Davis) walked around a cartoon world. Think of it like a silent‑film version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The girl would interact with cartoon characters, slip on a banana peel, or chase a mischievous mouse.

Each episode ran only a few minutes, but they packed a lot of charm. The cartoons were black‑and‑white, without sound, and the jokes relied on slap‑slap visual gags. Even though the tech was simple, Disney’s knack for timing and storytelling shines through.These shorts were made between 1923 and 1927, and they were released under the name “Alice’s Wonderland” or just “Alice Comedies.” They helped Walt learn how to animate characters that could react to real people – a skill he used later for Mickey Mouse and beyond.

Why They Matter for Disney Fans

First, they’re a glimpse into Disney’s early hustle. Walt was still figuring out how to fund his studio, and the Alice series was his first big money‑maker. The profits let him hire more animators and eventually create Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and later Mickey.

Second, the mix of live‑action and animation was groundbreaking. At the time, most cartoons were pure drawings. Showing a child in a cartoon world gave audiences a fresh visual joke that kept them coming back for more.

Third, the style set a template for later Disney experiments. You’ll see echoes of the Alice Comedies in the 1930s “Silly Symphonies” shorts, where Disney tried new techniques like synchronized sound and color.

If you’re visiting Kissimmee or any Disney park, keep an eye out for references. Some of the newer rides, like the “Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway,” nod to those early days by blending live‑action sets with animated characters. It’s a fun way to connect the past and present.

Where to Watch the Alice Comedies Today

Most of the originals are in the public domain, so you can find them on sites like YouTube or the Internet Archive. Look for titles like “Alice’s Day at Sea” or “Alice’s Spooky Adventure.” The quality varies, but the jokes still land.

For a higher‑quality experience, Disney’s own streaming service occasionally adds restored versions to its library. Check the “Classics” section during special events – they sometimes bring back the Alice shorts for a limited time.

Finally, if you love the idea of live‑action meeting cartoons, plan a visit to the Disney Animation Campus in Orlando’s Disney Springs. While the Alice series isn’t on display, the campus often hosts retro animation exhibitions that include early Disney work.

Bottom line: the Alice Comedies may look simple, but they’re the seed that grew into the massive Disney empire we know today. Watching them gives you a new appreciation for how Walt Disney turned a kid’s imagination into a worldwide brand. So grab a screen, hit play, and see where the magic began.