Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a classic film that will never gets old. It's just one of those movies that you can watch over and over again, no matter how old you get.
The 1971 film, starring the late and great Gene Wilder, will always be one of the best family films around. The stunning imagery and pure imagination that it incited is enough to transport you to that whimsical world.
But, like every film, there are secrets behind the silver screen that will surprise even the biggest fans.
The following 11 facts about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are sure to give you a new appreciation and perspective on this film and its actors.
Did you know any of these secrets before? What is your favorite fun fact about a movie or a big star from you childhood? It's always so fun to learn something new about one of your favorite things!
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1. A 10-Year-Old Girl Came Up With The Idea For The Film
Mel Stuart's daughter had just read the book and asked her director father if he would make it into a movie.
2. The Title Was Changed Because Of The Vietnam War
American soldiers had been referring to the enemy as "Charlie," and movie executives thought it would be best to remove that name from the title. That's how it ended up as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
3. Gene Wilder Wasn't Always The First Choice For The Role
Fred Astaire, Joel Grey, Ron Moody, Jon Pertwee, and all six members of Monty Python, including John Cleese, were considered for the role. Roald Dahl originally wanted Spike Milligan for the part.
4. Wilder Accepted The Role Under One Condition
Wonka's first appearance in the film was Wilder's idea. It was the one condition on which he accepted the role. He wanted to let the audience know that Wonka couldn't be trusted to tell the truth, so the cane and the somersault were used to show his devious side.
5. It Wasn't Filmed In The States
Munich, Bavaria, and western Germany were the backdrop for the film, as it was cheaper to film there.
6. It Didn't Do Very Well At The Box Office
While it's remembered today with great fondness, the film did not do very well in the box office when it was released. It was the 53rd lightest grossing film in 1971, despite the good reviews from critics.
7. Charlie Never Acted Again
Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie, quit acting and became a veterinarian. He even turned down a full three picture deal.
8. The Chocolate River Smelled Terrible
Made of chocolate, cream, and water, the chocolate river spoiled very quickly under the hot lights, and it smelled really bad.
9. The Oompa Loompas Were Cast From Circuses
The 10 actors that play the Oompa Loompas were from British and Turkish circuses. They were quite the pranksters on set, and they once tied the entire cast's shoes together while they slept.
10. Charlie's Voice Dropped While Filming
If you pay attention, you'll notice that Charlie's voice range is different in some scenes, as his voice dropped in the middle of shooting the film. He was 12 years old when they began filming.
11. Dahl Hated The Film
His screenplay was reworked a lot, and he was not happy with the finished product. He thought it focused too much on Wonka and not enough on Charlie. He also didn't agree with casting Wilder as the main role.
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