One of my favorite movies is the 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. No, I'm not being facetious, and yes, I know it's kind of weird.A few weeks ago Eric and I were in line at T.J. Maxx after Eric had selected a new pair of jeans. The line was kind of long, and the T.J. Maxx folks had done a great job of setting out all sorts of treats and trinkets along the queue. I saw the DVD, and I said to Eric, "If that movie is less than $8, I am going to get it." He crossed his fingers that it would cost more. It was only $5, and I was thrilled.
Whenever Steven and I used to catch it on T.V., we'd watch it. I love everything about this movie, sans "Cheer Up, Charlie," the song Charlie's mom sings at the beginning of the movie. I love all the great songs that the Oompa Loompas sing. I even have the soundtrack.
There are so many great things about this movie. Foremost, the humor. Gene Wilder is perfect as the eccentric and brilliant Willy Wonka. In fact, the book on which the movie is based is titled Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's my belief that the film version's title was changed because Willy Wonka's part was written so well and performed so superbly by Gene Wilder. There are so many great lines that are difficult to catch unless you are kind of smart, and I always like humor like that because, let's be honest, it plays to my ego.
Second, the sheer whimsy of it. Most of that was written in by Roald Dahl, who has an incredible genius for truly imaginative children's literature. I haven't read the book since I was in about fifth grade, but I do remember that I was purely amused by the characters, the dialogue and the plot.
And the wisdom of the Oompa Loompas. It thrills me to no end, and is best exemplified in these lyrics:
Gum chewing's fine when it's once in a while.Couldn't have said it better myself.
It stops you from smoking and brightens your smile.
But it's revolting, repulsive and wrong,
Chewing and chewing all day long!
The way that a cow does.
9 comments:
Sam would watch this movie practically every Sunday growing up and breaks into "Cheer Up Charlie" all the time in our house. I love Roald Dahl, and this movie! Good pick.
My mom took us to see this at the public library when I was five or six and we had to leave because I was so terrified. I have never cared for this movie.
Your freaky poster in the stairwell at Sparks didn't help :)
We are twins.
And I ALWAYS skipped the song by his mother.
I try to work "Snozberry? Who ever heard of a snozberry?" into conversation as much as possible.
I like this movie, too. Corny, but good. (Thought the remake was disgusting.)
I've never like it. It just seemed the longest most boring movie EVER. HOWEVER I can appreciate the oompa loompas logic as you pointed it out - annoying as they are.
I don't know that I care too much for the re-make either for that matter - so there you go - neither a winner for me!
oooooh what I DO like though, is THIS - "How it SHOULD have ended...." version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsE0UOz1uw4
LOVE it!!
-d (to be added onto the end of like). Yup. I'm THAT fussy.
Ana is WRONG. This movie is greatness! The mom's song is lame that is the bathroom break time of the movie.
My father is afraid of this movie.
Come on now Steve - you have to admit that you laughed at that though? WHO wouldn't laugh at "who's idea was it to have a scary room?"
WHOOOOO I ask...?
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