Development
For the voice of Alice,
Walt Disney wanted one "that would be English enough to satisfy British audiences and preserve the feeling of an English literary classic, but not so English that it would put off American audiences". He found that in a young girl named
Margaret O'Brien. However, O'Brien's mother, Gladys, thought that her daughter was worth more than Disney was offering to pay. This led to Disney to announce that Margaret O'Brien was out of the picture, four days after announcing she was in. Disney then turned his attention to another young girl,
Kathryn Beaumont. Within hours of her audition, Disney gave Beaumont the part.
Like many Disney animated
heroines, Alice was portrayed by a real life actress as reference material for the animators. This was performed by Beaumont, the voice of Alice.
Alice was drawn looking a bit older than her story book counterpart, about 11 or 12, but still keeping the wonder and child-like quality of a young girl.