I have yet to see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" but all this talk of the new movie prompted me to watch the original '71 version on Sunday.

I think this movie was fantastic. Not only visually beautiful, but it totally captured the essence of childhood and the wonders of the imagination.

I think Gene Wilder is one of the funniest men alive and after watching this movie as a child and again as an adult, I would also like to add creepy and a tad scary with this performance! I found the chocolate river boat ride rather eerie especially when he screams/shouts this line -

"There's no earthly way of knowing / Which direction we are going / There's no knowing where we're rowing / Or which way the river's flowing / Is it raining? / Is it snowing? / Is a hurricane a-blowing? / Not a speck of light is showing / So the danger must be growing / Are the fires of hell a-glowing? / Is the grisly reaper mowing? / Yes, the danger must be growing / 'Cause the rowers keep on rowing / And they're certainly not showing / Any signs that they are slowing."

*Shudders* A freaky little number indeed.

I thought the brats were just wonderful, especially that little Veruca Salt. What a madam. I think Charlie was ever so endearing, as was the actor who played his grandfather.

The Oompa loompas were a nice addition to the story and made Wonka a very lovable character who cared so much for their welfare.

The musical numbers were charming and overall it reminded me of the Wizard of Oz in many ways. Kind of like Wonka was Oz.

I just wondered what the rest of your thoughts are on this little movie?

Andy

PS - "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams" - Fantastic line.

by Arthur O’Shaughnessy [1844-1881]

   0de
   We are the music-makers,
   And we are the dreamers of dreams,
   Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
   And sitting by desolate streams;
   World-losers and world-forsakers,
   On whom the pale moon gleams:
   Yet we are the movers and shakers
   Of the world for ever, it seems
   

   With wonderful deathless ditties
   We build up the world's great cities.
   And out of a fabulous story
   We fashion art empire's glory:
   One man with a dream, at pleasure,
   Shall go forth and conquer a crown;
   And three with a new song's measure
   Can trample in empire down.
   

   We, in the ages lying
   In the buried past of the earth.
   Built Nineveh with our sighing,
   And Babel itself with our mirth;
   And o'erthrew them with prophesying
   To the old of the new world's worth;
   For each age is a dream that is dying,
   Or one that is coming to birth.

Thanks, Don.

That is so beautiful! I had no idea where that line orignated from.