I Want it Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
A lovely memoir of a wonderful film. Contains lots of original photos and copies of handwritten postcards and letters. There’s a lot more in here than I expected.
Off-camera, I sought out this particular set, and often ate my lunch by the chocolate river whilst listening to the “Pure Imagination” musical track that played in the background.
Wolper negotiated the title change to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to help brand Quaker’s new chocolate bar, and also to provide a unique name mark for the production.
Anthony Newley, British actor, singer and composer who wrote all of the musical elements for Willy Wonka with writing partner Leslie Bricusse.
Andrew Doran
The songs in this movie are absolutely brilliant. I bought a copy of the soundtrack a few years ago.
I had a horrible sleep because the pillow thing that’s like an eiderdown kept falling off. My feet were sticking out of the bottom all night, the traffic was roaring past the bedroom and it was boiling hot.
Andrew Doran
We didn’t have duvets in England when I was a lad. I don’t think my parents bought any until the mid-1980s.
Goff used many of the original book illustrations to create the fantastical sets of Willy Wonka. Goff was also responsible for many of the early theme concepts of Disney’s proposed “Mickey Mouse Park” which later became Disneyland.
I am told that some of the Oompa Loompas had rather scandalous reputations, and had been known to party rather hard.
Among Seltzer’s signature contributions to the film were the clever and charming quotations, often borrowed from classic literature that he wove into Gene’s dialogue.
Andrew Doran
I have not heard of Seltzer nor of his contribution to the screenplay before reading this. I completely agree with the author that the changes he made to the story (e.g. the inclusion of a villain and these little dialogue inserts) really make the film work much better than if it just kept purely to what was written in the book.
As his gift to me, Gene Wilder hired a color stills photographer to capture my big scene.
Andrew Doran
What a memory to treasure!
One of the most common questions posed by fans of the film, is what exactly did Arthur Slugworth whisper to you? Well...
Andrew Doran
Hehe!
If you want to view paradise, simply look around...
Who wouldn't? I used to watch the film and wish I was there too.