A scene from Alice in Wonderland 1951
Mad Hatter

What's the matter, my dear? Don't you care for tea?

Alice

Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea, but-

March Hare

If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation!

Alice

[frustrated]

Well, I've been trying to ask you-

March Hare

I have an excellent idea. Let's change the subject.

Mad Hatter

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Alice

Riddles? [to herself] Let me see. Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Mad Hatter

I beg your pardon?

Alice

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Mad Hatter

[shocked]

WHY IS A WHAT?!

March Hare

[nervously]

Careful! SHE'S STARK RAVING MAD!

Alice

But it's your silly riddle. You just said...

Mad Hatter

[nervously]

Easy! Don't get excited!

March Hare

[trying to make peace with Alice]

How about a nice cup of tea?

Alice

[angrily]

"Have a cup of tea" indeed! Well, I'M sorry, but I just HAVEN'T the time!

March Hare

THE TIME! THE TIME! WHO'S GOT THE TIME?

White Rabbit

N-n-n-no time, no time, no time! Hello, good bye, I'm late, I'm late.

Alice

The rabbit!

White Rabbit

I'm so late! I'm so very late.

Mad Hatter

[snatching the White Rabbit's Watch]

Well, no wonder you're late! Why this clock is EXACTLY two days slow!

Rabbit

Two days slow?

Mad Hatter

Of course you're late! [chuckles as he dunks the watch in the tea] MY GOODNESS! We'll have to look into this. [places a salt shaker over his eye and uses it as a jeweler's eyepiece ] AHA! I see what's wrong with it! [starts to pry parts out of the watch with a fork ] Why, this watch is full of wheels!

Rabbit

[shocked]

OH, MY POOR WATCH!! OH, MY WHEELS! AND SPRINGS! But-but-but-but-but-but-

Mad Hatter

BUTTER! Of course! It NEEDS some butter. BUTTER!!!

March Hare

[shouts into Rabbit's ear]

BUTTER!!!

Rabbit

[confused]

B-b-butter?

Mad Hatter

Butter! Oh, thank you! Ha ha! Yes! That's FINE! Yes, thank you!

Rabbit

Oh, no, no! No, no! No! You'll get crumbs in it!

Mad Hatter

Oh, THIS is the VERY BEST butter! [throws butter in rabbit's face] What are you talking about?

March Hare

Tea?

Mad Hatter

Oh, tea! I never THOUGHT of tea before! OF COURSE!

Rabbit

NO!

Mad Hatter

TEA! HEHEHE!

Rabbit

[shocked]

NO! NOT TEA!

March Hare

Sugar?

Mad Hatter

SUGAR! TWO SPOONS! Yes, ha, TWO SPOONS thank you, Yes! (jams the spoons straight into the watch)

Rabbit

[shocked]

OH, PLEASE! BE CAREFUL!

March Hare

JAM?

Mad Hatter

JAM! I FORGOT ALL ABOUT JAM!

Rabbit

NO! NO! NOT JAM!

Mad Hatter

Yes, sure you want. It's nice to see.

March Hare

MUSTARD??

Mad Hatter

Mustard! yes...huh? MUSTARD?! DON'T LET'S BE SILLY!!! LEMON, that's different, that's... yes. THAT should work! Hahaha! [watch starts going crazy] LOOK AT THAT!

March Hare

IT'S GOING MAD!

Alice

OH, MY GOODNESS!

Rabbit

OH, DEAR!

Mad Hatter

I DON'T UNDERSTAND! IT'S THE BEST BUTTER!

March Hare

IT'S GOING MAD! MAD WATCH! MAD WATCH! MAD WATCH!!!

Mad Hatter

OH, MY GOODNESS! OH, DEAR, LOOK AT THAT!

March Hare

THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP A MAD WATCH! [smashes watch with a mallet; scene changes from color to black and white, then color again]

Mad Hatter

Two days slow. That's what it is.

In this scene

More from Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland (1951) poster
Alice in Wonderland 1951 · 50 quotes · 10 characters All Alice in Wonderland quotes →
All Alice in Wonderland quotes →