Alice, Sweet Alice [Blu-ray]

Overview

When Alice, Sweet Alice was released on video, the cassette's dust-jacket afforded top billing to Brooke Shields. In truth, Brooke is killed off in the first reel, leaving the rest of the film to its real star, Paula Sheppard. The story is hinged on the possibility that the cherubic teenaged Alice (Sheppard) may be a murderer. Director Alfred Sole thinks he's Roman Polanski in some scenes, Hitchcock in others. The suspense level is patchy, but effective overall.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/06/2019
UPC:	0760137275985
Original Release:	1976
Rating:	R
Source:	Arrow Video
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	14,635

Special Features

Brand new 2k restoration of the original theatrical version from the original camera negative; High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation; Original uncompressed mono audio; Optional English Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing; Brand new Audio Commentary with Richard Harland Smith; Archival Audio Commentary Co-Writer/Director Alfred Sole and Editor M. Edward Salier; First Communion: Alfred Sole Remembers Alicie, Sweet Alice - Director Alfred Sole looks back on his 1976 classic; Alice on My Mind a brand new interview with Composer Stephen Lawrence; In the Name of the Father - brand new interview with actor Niles McMaster; Sweet Memories: Dante Tomasselli on Alice, Sweet Alice-filmmaker Dante Tomaselli, cousin of Alfred Sole, discusses his longtime connection to the film ; Lost Childhood: The Locations of Alice, Sweet Alice - a tour of the original Alice, Sweet Alice shooting locations hosted by author Michael Gingold; Alternate Holy Terror Television Cut; Deleted Scenes; Alternate Opening Titles; Trailer and TV Spot; Image Gallery ; Original Screenplay (BD-ROM Content)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Brooke Shields	Karen Spages
Paula Sheppard	Alice Spages,Actor
Linda Miller	Catherine Spages,Catherine Spages
Alphonso DeNoble	Mr. Alphonso
Jane Lowry	Aunt Annie
Rudolph Willrich	Father Tom
Mildred Clinton	Mrs. Tredoni
Niles McMaster	Dom Spages
Michael Hardstark	Det. Spina
Gary Allen	Jim DeLorenze
Tom Signorelli	Det. Brennan
Louisa Horton	Psychiatrist
Antonino Rocco	Funeral Attendant
Lillian Roth	Pathologist
Sally Golden	Policewoman
Patrick Gorman	Father Pat
Mary Boylan	Mother Superior
Dick Boccelli	Hotel Clerk
Stephen Lawrence	Composer

Technical Credits

Alfred Sole

Rosemary Ritvo

Alfred Sole	Director,Screenwriter
Rosemary Ritvo	Screenwriter
Richard K. Rosenberg	Producer,Producer

Editorial Reviews

Brooke Shields made her film debut at age 12 in this eerie, effective chiller from director Alfred Sole. However, her role can be summed up in one word -- cameo -- as she is quickly and shockingly strangled and burned to death. The fact that her murder is set on the occasion of her first Holy Communion only further serves to set the stage for a horror film with strong Roman Catholic overtones that could easily have become an Exorcist rip-off. Fortunately, the script by Sole and Rosemary Rityo is a Hitchcock-flavored murder-mystery that sustains suspense throughout and provides a couple of great surprises. The question of who killed Shields and committed the subsequent murders is answered at an unexpected juncture, but rather than defusing the tension, the revelation actually keeps the viewer guessing. This sets up the film's final act, which is beautifully carried on the backs of several first-rate performances including Mildred Clinton, Rudolph Willrich, and Linda G. Miller. Shields is not on the screen long enough to leave an impression, but fellow child actress Paula Sheppard is solid as the malicious Alice and Alphonso De Noble is over-the-top, but unforgettable as the disgustingly obese landlord she torments. Early Hollywood star Lillian Roth appears in a small role as a pathologist -- her first film performance in more than 40 years. From a technical standpoint, the film stands out for its strong murder sequences (certainly an influence on the slasher film craze), as well as for Stephen Lawrence's spine-tingling music score. The camera work by John Friberg and Chuck Hall is excellent and perfectly capture the chilly feel of the film and its Paterson, NJ, locations.