wednes: (Default)
wednes ([personal profile] wednes) wrote2004-12-20 04:08 pm

Willy Wonka: the amazing chocolatier!

Last weekend at my place, someone who shall remain nameless asserted that Roald Dahl co-wrote the screenplay for the 1970 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I didn't see how this could posibly be the case, for while Dahl is in fact a sometime screenwriter, I seemed to remember him really hating the movie. And then when I read the novel, I couldn't imagine how he could have turned his novel into that film.

Turns out, I am right!


Take THAT Guernica (and anyone else who doubts the trivia collecting mindpower of [personal profile] wednes)!!

EDIT: I did not mean to bemoan or besmirch the 1970 version of the film. I enjoyed it very much as a kid, and with the exception of that one song the mom sings in the laundry, I still like it a great deal. However, it's tone and themes are very different than those in the book.

[identity profile] abbagirl.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I've met Roald Dahl. :) Granted, I was like 8 at the time, but still!

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 10:01 pm (UTC)(link)
That's awesome! Is there a pic?
I'd love to see that.


I used to write letters to authors when i was a kid. I got signed letters or pics from Charles Shultz, Dr. Suess, and Donald Sobel who wrote 'Cyclopedia Brown.

[identity profile] deathscythe81.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I remember the old Encyclopedia Brown series. I have a whole bunch of them in my attic at home.

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
They were so great!

[identity profile] abbagirl.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
No pics, I'm afraid...the story is, he came to the girls' school I was at when I lived in England (for 2 years as a child, 3rd and 4th grade), and spoke to us, like in an auditorium and such...I barely remember it really, what stood out was that he talked a lot about chocolate. :) My mom was there, I think, cuz she remembers that too! He was old and I think in a wheelchair at that point? I forget. He seemed like a sweet mischievous old man.

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
I imagine so...

Have you read his adult stuff? Uncle Oswald is fantastic.

[identity profile] wurmwyd.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi there!

Huh. I've never read the book, but I totally loved the film. I'd be curious to see how it differs from the novel. I'm kind of sad that Dahl hated the movie so much!! :(

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not that it's a bad movie. I like it very much. But the novel is dark and creepy...very different.

[identity profile] deathscythe81.livejournal.com 2004-12-20 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
This might seem like a stupid question, but how do you make the icons for people when you link them change? (IE: the bumblebee next to your name)

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you asked me that:

http://rosequoll.com/lj.html

This lady is pretty strict about wanting payment for her work, but she lets these go for free. I wish I could give her a donation, but it's hard w/out a credit card.

[identity profile] deathscythe81.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks :)

[identity profile] brettsyboy.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
i love that fuckin movie!!!

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
Huh...I never thought of it as much of a "fuckin' movie".

hahahahahahahaaa!

[identity profile] brettsyboy.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
what about that chubby german kid, dont tell me you never thought about it

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
Well, not until now.

*shudder*

[identity profile] man-bites-dog.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
This usually whips up a delicious shit storm. I am probably the only person in the world who actually hates Willy Wonka and his fucking factory. Also, I'm not a big supporter of these "Gems," Goonies, The Dark Crystal and Top Gun. Sweet.

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-21 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I enjoyed Wonka, but none of the other movies you named.

[identity profile] psychswitch.livejournal.com 2004-12-22 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
i am so stealing that user pic!
im rick james bitch!

[identity profile] wednes.livejournal.com 2004-12-22 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
Go for it!