Farewell Mel Stuart, there is no life I know to compare with pure imagination

It was announced that director Mel Stuart died at the age of 83 Thursday night. You may be sitting there pondering where you’ve heard that name before. In addition to being the cousin of Stan Lee of the Marvel Comics universe fame, Stuart is best-known as the director behind the beloved childhood classic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. While I understand he also produced several award-winning documentaries, as a huge fan of the cult classic Willy Wonka, I thought it would be a fitting time to take a nostalgic look back in Mr. Stuart’s honor at the movie that has shaped many a childhood since its cinematic release in 1971.

We’ll Begin with a Spin …
Made for his daughter Madeline who enjoyed the book by Roald Dahl so much she begged her father to direct a film adaptation, Willy Wonka is one of those special, undiluted moments in cinema history that has been forever preserved in a time capsule. It represents a throwback to a simpler time of movie-making magic in which the characters of a popular children’s book truly came to life in a clever, unforgettable way that had rarely been seen before (and arguably has been rarely glimpsed ever since). I think Willy Wonka was The Wizard of Oz of its generation.

You Look Like You Were Born to be a Wonkerer
From the moment the cocoa beans, powder and ooey-gooey chocolate start flowing on the screen and the opening credits roll, I was immediately mesmerized as a child and I continue to be mesmerized to this day. I love everything about this movie. I love the characters and the witty songs specially written for the film. I especially love all the dark humor that as a child I probably didn’t completely understand, but now that I’m an adult I can watch and chuckle as all of the “Wonka Mania” unfolds. From the hilarious classroom scenes to the fake news reports to the factory scenes, every moment of this film is sheer brilliance. What can I say? I guess I was born to be a “Wonkerer.” And if you’re taking the time to read this, I assume you must have been too.

There is No Life I Know to Compare with Pure Imagination
Most of all, I adore Gene Wilder. He gave Willy Wonka the perfect blend of sageness with just a trace of madness without being pandering or annoying. Johnny Depp, take note. I love Johnny Depp but I did not care for his version of Willy Wonka. I think it was his sing-song voice that really grated on my nerves. No one can hold a candle to Wilder’s version because Wilder made Wonka so damned likable. You didn’t care as much about the sinister events unfolding in the factory because Wilder has such a sweetness to him. You can’t help but fall in love with him as he’s sitting there drinking tea from an edible flower and singing the beautiful lyrics of “Pure Imagination.”

If You Want to View Paradise, Simply Look Around & View It
Can you remember the sense of wonderment and awe you experienced for the very first time as Mr. Wonka opened that massive black door and you were given your first glimpse of a world of pure imagination? That scene still gives me goosebumps. If I had a child, I would definitely want to share this moment. I read an article that said they purposely didn’t allow the child actors on this set until the day they shot the scene so their childlike expressions of delight would be 100% genuine. If you ask me, that’s a sign of a truly inspired (and inspirational) crew of filmmakers.

Cheer Up, Charlie … Just Be Glad You’re You
Charlie Bucket is the ultimate underdog. I always felt sorry for him because he was so poor, especially in that opening sequence in which all the richer kids seemingly enjoy free candy while the candy man sings and prances around the candy shop as Charlie looks on despondently through the window. I always wondered if those kids had running tabs at the shop or if it was a free candy day and why nobody ever thought to invite poor Charlie in. It always broke my heart. Although I used to fast-forward the “Cheer Up, Charlie” portion of the movie when I was a kid (I was always anxious to get to the factory), it really is a beautiful song with inspirational lyrics. People should be thankful for what they have and happy to just be who they are.

Cabbage Water Again? It’s Not Enough!
I also always felt sorry for Charlie’s mother. She slaves away at the laundromat working hard to put hearty bowls of cabbage water on the table to feed six hungry mouths and then Grandpa Joe has really been able to walk the entire time and he gets to go to the factory with Charlie? That’s just not fair! But I’m happy everything works out for Charlie in the end and he’ll be able to provide for the entire family, mother included, as they all live happily-ever-after.

The Suspense is Terrible … I Hope It’ll Last
I always wanted so desperately to be one of those five lucky kids who got the lifetime supply of chocolate and the invitation to tour the chocolate factory. Didn’t we all? I’m still waiting to find out what a “snozberry” tastes like. Even though I was frightened of the tinker outside the factory, Slugworth and the Wonkatania as a child, for some reason the Oompa Loompas never scared me. However, I was frightened of being turned into a blueberry!

Who Can Take a Rainbow …?
While I respected Tim Burton’s creative vision behind remaking a film that more closely followed the Dahl book, in my opinion his movie just didn’t compare to the rich world created by his predecessor. There are few films I can watch any day of the week over and over without tiring of them. I would just like to express a humble thanks to Mel Stuart for having the creative vision necessary to make such an iconic film cherished by millions the world over. I hope he earned a Golden Ticket into Heaven for filling the world with hope and “taking a rainbow, mixing it with love and making the world taste good.”

Clacked by Kim Tibbs
on Aug 11, 2012 @ 15:00 EST5EDT