The Soundtrack with Haley Taylor

Beyond the Rabbit Hole: The Many Lives of Alice in Wonderland

Last week on The Soundtrack, Haley Taylor explored the remarkable original score of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. This week, the journey continues beyond the rabbit hole. Discover how Sammy Fain’s unforgettable melodies escaped the film to become jazz standards and pop classics, reimagined by legends including Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, Doris Day, and more. From smoky jazz clubs to Disneyland Records and concert halls around the world, this episode celebrates the surprising second life of one of Disney’s most enduring soundtracks—and reveals why, seventy-five years later, the music of Alice in Wonderland is still inspiring musicians to make it their own.

 

Discover the remarkable story behind one of Disney’s most ambitious soundtracks, from dozens of discarded songs and legendary Tin Pan Alley songwriters to unforgettable performances by Kathryn Beaumont, Sterling Holloway, and Verna Felton. Along the way, you’ll hear how songs written for Alice found new life in other Disney classics, why the film’s music remains so distinctive, and how a soundtrack once overlooked became one of Disney’s most enduring musical legacies. It’s the first of a two-part journey down the rabbit hole, with the original songs this week and the surprising world of cover versions next.

 

Haley Taylor hosts “The Soundtrack” every Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. where she explores the scores of the silver screen. Tune in for an hour of unforgettable film music with a look at the composers and the stories that made these melodies sing. Stay connected by following Haley on Instagram.