by Sam Juliano
I first met the future Lucille Mancini Juliano in March of 1991, when she volunteered to assist me in directing a third grade play of Roald Dahl’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at a time when we both worked at the now razed English Neighborhood School in Fairview, New Jersey. Now one of the district’s three school principals, the then 28 year-old teacher specialized in the neurologically impaired. When she heard of my plans to feature students from my third-grade class, she readily came aboard as a stage line prompter, and later doubled as coordinator of scenery and props. The late veteran instructor Marion D. “Mitzi” Steup made it a three-person creative team, imparting her considerable artistic skills by constructing the sets, with able assistance from ‘gifted and talented’ fifth graders. It’s been upwards of twenty-five years now, but I am reminded of this adventure to this very day, and have a wonderful video of the production for posterity. 320 people crowded into the two story building’s second floor auditorium on a cool Saturday evening to attend the community event, and some had to squeeze into hallway entrances. A smoke machine was utilized, an intricate sound system allowed the show’s music to blare, and colored lighting helped set the proper mood. It was an event wrought with intense enthusiasm and devotion, and even included a contentious episode with the Borough’s Board Secretary, who attempted to cancel the show on the very day it was scheduled. Because of the size of the crowd, and some concern over safety as a consequence of the school’s age (80 years) and a failed state report that concluded with pointed orders to the district to make immediate repairs or face a shut down, the event was seen as chancy. But after I dispatched Mr. Caufield with an angry eviction notice on the staircase, and advised him to leave or I would “physically” remove him, I was publicly supported by the Board of Education’s then president, Mr. Frank Pizzichillo, who attended the production with bells on. It was a huge success, and one that is fondly remembered by two now-married young men, Eddie Slodiska and Jason Romano, who played Charlie and Willy Wonka, respectively. Perhaps most importantly, however, it was the fuel that ignited a romance that led to a July, 1995 wedding and a big family. And all the credit goes to Roald Dahl. Or does it?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was Dahl’s second novel in a distinguished career in children’s literature, and it’s arguably his best-loved and most creative work, a sentiment that’s enhanced by two popular film versions and a prominent placement on school’s reading lists since it’s 1964 publication. It was noted for having it’s children as the real monsters, and it was inspired by Dahl’s own childhood experiences with chocolate factories, who sent out various special offers. A trade secrets war between Cadbury and Rowntreels gave the young writer the inspiration to employ the famed setting of the chocolate factory, where he injected his own form of political intrigues and dark underpinnings that transformed an already appealing and imaginative fantasy story into a provocative study of human nature. While Dahl was pretty much up to the same game in his maiden James and the Giant Peach, and later works like Danny The Champion of the World and The Witches among others, he imparted especially satirical barbs in Charlie at the family unit, incompetent parenting, greed, and media corruption. The book’s hero, “Charlie Buckett” is the model child, one whom any father and mother could only dream of having, and he provided Dahl with a moral counterpoint to his delightfully acidic condemnation of spoiled and pre-occupied kids who are pampered by doting parents. Augustus Gloop thinks only of eating, Violet Beauregarde of chewing gum, Mike Teevee of shooting toy guns and watching his heroes on television 24/7, and Veruca Salt of getting her every whim granted by the spineless head of a textile embroidery. Standing from the crowd is Buckett, a loving child, who is raised in an overcrowded shanty apartment with his mother, and both sets of grandparents, one of whom accompanies the young boy to the chocolate factory after winning a coveted ‘Golden Ticket’ in a contest sponsored by the mysterious owner of the chocolate factory, Willy Wonka. The spectacular factory of course, is the centerpiece of both Dahl’s book and the subsequent film films versions, of which the 1971 original, directed by Mel Stuart, is the subject of this brief essay.
Stuart’s film, like the re-make from Tim Burton that appeared over 30 years later, is faithful to the original source, which is no wonder when you consider that Dahl himself penned the screenplay with a helping hand from an uncredited David Seltzer. Several effective “additions” enhance the film’s fine strain of black comedy, like a scene when a woman tells the kidnappers who abducted her husband to pressure her into surrendering her case of “wonka bars” that she’ll “think about it”, even with a death threat in place. In another sequence an oriental psychologist attempts to force a hypnotized patient to reveal the whereabouts of his own case of wonka bars. The shrink’s accent is quite funny as it gleefully underlines the universal reach of the chocolate company and the intimidating potential value of an invitation to take the plant tour with receipt of the ticket. The prize is possession of the factory, which Wonka has grown too hold to govern. The film’s structure matches it’s source, with one by one dispatching of the obnoxious children, aided by the “Oompa-Loompas,” midget men with green hair, orange skin, and white pants, who serve as a kind of Greek Chorus, following on the respective childs’ eliminations by singing a song that mocks the various indescretions. Despite his scathing indictment of capitalism and the refreshingly candid repudiation of anything that’s sugar coated (aside from the dominant motif of chocolate that dominates the film) Dahl ends his story on an exhilarating note when the loyal and loving Charlie refuses a bribe by returning the ‘everlasting gobstopper’, winning deserved favor from Willy Wonka in an gleeful emotional coda that’s well earned.
The film’s score was written by the British team of Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, whose best collaboration this is without question. Bricusse is also famed for his scores for Scrooge, the musical re-make of Goodbye Mr. Chips and Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, the latter with Newley. Sammy Davis Jr. scored a #1 hit with the popular “The Candy Man” which is sung in the sequence when Charlie buys a wonka bar at the local chocolate shop. It’s a bouncy and infectious song for sure, but the score’s best number of all is “Pure Imagination,” a sensual and melodious composition that Wonka sings to the kids amidst the delectable wonderments of the sweet room that they are invited to engorge themselves in near the beginning of the tour. Wonka tells the kids in song “If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it, anything you want to, do it, wanta change the world? There’s nothing to it…..There is no life I know to compare with ‘Pure Imagination’…living there you’ll be free, if you truly wish to be..” The most poignant song is one that Charlie’s mother sings to him when the boy is downcast when it appears he never land a Golden Ticket. She urges her son in a lovely evocation of pride and confidence, titled “Cheer Up Charlie” to just be himself, and all will work out. (I used the song in it’s entirety during the third-grade play, while Charlie strolled and pensively sat on stage, and it was greeted with thunderous applause). The spirited and tuneful “I’ve Got A Golden Ticket,” sung with his joyful family after his great fortune is announced, and the ‘Wonderous Boat Ride” sequence are beautifully integrated into the plot, and the aforementioned ‘Oompa Loompa’ ditty is appropriately a recurrent coda.
As Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder’s performance, which was originally derided, has gained in cult status over the years, and is clearly more popular and more beloved than the later one given by Johnny Depp. Wilder is hammy and eccentric, and often aloof, but there are qualities that are at least in some measure consistent with the one Dahl presented on the written page. Against all odds, it is rightly seen by many now as the finest and most emblematic performance of his career. Near the film’s end Wilder is priceless when he brightens up after witnessing Charlie’s undying devotion. While no serious qualms could be voiced for the rest of the cast, special praise should be bestowed upon Jack Albertson, who is marvelously animated as Grandpa Joe, and Peter Ostrum, whose bland work as a good boy hoping for luck in a joyless life is in tune with it’s source. Without decorum, Ostrum creates the hero that every boy can only aspire to be. Of course, Dahl revisits the popular character a few years later in his book Charlie and the Glass Elevator, which unlike its famed predecessor never made it to the silver screen. Visually the film’s drab small-town English locations serve as provocative contrast to the vivid colors of the chocolate factory, and to this end cinematographer Arthur Ibbetson paints the canvas admirably. The principal photography was completed in Munich in the Bavarian section of West Germany, as it was much cheaper than filming in the United States.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has a special place in the hearts of baby boomers who never forgot the story’s inventiveness, humor and tunefulness. In fact few can think of it anymore without humming some of the Bricusse and Newley music, which have become as synonymous with the film, as the witticisms of it’s beloved creator.
Note: This review constitutes a revision of a post that originally appeared in the site musical countdown of four years ago.
Somehow this book was never in a reading list at schools I went too!
What a wonderful lead story of you and Lucille, seems like an ambitious production to put on yet look what evolved from your desire.
As for either film, I know the cult following of this stories and films yet I have never understood the attraction. Through your essay I now see the story through fresh eyes yet I still find the film creepy is some sense of the style and characters behaviors.
Just not my style of chocolate I guess ? Ha ha!
Your support and fabulous words are deeply appreciated my friend! Jeff I completely understand that the film and novel are not everyone’s favorite brand of chocolate. Yes I do adore it, but it is a personal thing for sure. Not all schools feature it on their reading lists either, I know. Thanks again!
I love the personal backstory here, Sam! I have to confess I’m not such a great fan of the movie, though.
Thanks for the very kind words John!
This is one of your truly great pieces Sam. An eternal joy to read and instilled with the passion that makes the cinema an oft-magical place. For the record I am a big fan of this film and the book that preceded it. Brilliant appreciation and analysis of the film, the music and the characters. A perfect fit for the childhood countdown in thought, word and deed.
Your beautiful words as always are deeply appreciated Frank!
Sam, your channelling here of Roald Dahl, with copious personal and filmic vignettes of strife leading to joy, is masterful. The phrase “delightfully acidic” is right on and acts as a portal to coming to terms with life with affection rather than preciousness.
As always your thoughtful words and support are deeply appreciated Jim!
A grand treatment of a beloved film. What a project to meet up with your soul mate! It is my own favorite among Dahl’s works, and by far it is the better film version. Beautiful appreciation of the author and the lovely score. A trip down memory lane for me.
Yes, the story behind the film never fails to affect me and as deeply as anything can do so. Thanks so much for the much appreciated kind words my friend!
Sam,this is actually the first time I have seen this review. All I can say is WOW!!! Your infectious writing makes for a review of great warmth,insight and sense of nostalgia. But as a dissection of the film it couldn’t be bettered. As a literary adaptation, musical, comedy and film about childhood this Willy Wonka stands mighty tall.
Thrilled to hear you are a big fan Peter. Many thanks for the exceedingly kind words!
Haha Sam I was thinking just recently of showing this to my kids and having us watch it together. This is a reminder that I need to get on that. I remember as a kid finding a lot to laugh at with regards to the neurotic and obnoxious behavior of most of the children in here. In some ways, there is a fantasy that most of us go through at one time or another in our life where we wish something dreadful would happen to all those obnoxious bullies and idiots we encountered. This film gives us those moments where we get to see those annoying kids get their just desserts, one at a time. Lol.
Aye John, this bunch are as obnoxious as one could imagine, Charlie aside of course. And yes we do throughout the film wish these kids to get their just rewards, which of course they do in ever so imaginative ways! Thanks my friend!
Beautiful review Sam. You had me riveted to every word. A childhood favorite that has lost very little over the years.
Thrilled to hear this one has worked so well for you Tim! Thanks so much for the kind words my friend!