Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Hardcover)

by Mel Stuart (Author), Josh Young (Author) "If you want to credit anyone for the creation of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, credit my daughter, Madeline..." (more)
Key Phrases: Willy Wonka, Quaker Oats, Grandpa Joe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Mel Stuart's 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has become a cult classic, equally enjoyed by children and adults. Fans of the film will delight in Stuart and Josh Young's Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, a compendium of facts, photos and film stills concerning the movie Roger Ebert called "probably the best film of its sort since The Wizard of Oz." The authors explain the role Roald Dahl played in the film, who the candidates for the role of Willy Wonka were (besides Gene Wilder), how the whimsical set-from the chocolate river to Mike Teevee's TV room-was created, what went into Violet Beauregarde's blueberry costume and more. The Youngs also provide an intriguing look at special effects in the pre-Spielbergian early 1970s, an overview of critics' responses (Pauline Kael called it "stilted and frenetic, like Prussians at play") and a "where are they now" section (Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie Bucket, never again appeared in a feature film, while Julie Cole, who played Veruca Salt, developed a successful voice-over career).
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of the most popular and memorable films of the past 30 years. Based on Roald Dahls classic novel, the film has been seen by millions since its release. Written by Mel Stuart, the films director, ure Imaginationis the ultimate companion piece for fans of the film. The first book ever written on the film, this is the consummate insider account of the making of the film and a look at its growing cultural impact. It takes readers behind the scenes with colorful necdotes; lavish, never-before-seen photographs from Warner Bros. and Stuarts personal collection; interviews; notes on production techniques; original set design sketches, and fascinating trivia about the film. A New York Timesarticle explaining the films lasting popularity, concludes that: Like most things that endure, it offers something for everyone.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312287771
• ISBN-13: 978-0312287771
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #457,800 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Factory of Fun!!, November 29, 2002

By	A O Cazola (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Thirty years ago, a film was released that was instantly hailed as a classic. Lifted up along classics like The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was a tremendously successful adaptation of a tremendously popular book by Roald Dahl.

Now the director of this legendary film, Mel Stuart, has released Pure Imagination, an inside look at the making of the film. The book is great for any fan of the film. It has a lot of really interesting background info from the production of the film and some neat behind the scenes photos.

The text is a bit simplistic at times, but the real draw of this book is the information conveyed, not necessarily the style in which it is written. Reading about Roald Dahl's part in the making (he was actually on set) was worth the price alone.

Pure Imagination is a great book for anyone who has seen the film.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Come with me...., April 27, 2003

By	James Hiller (Beaverton, OR) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

...and you'll see a world of Pure Imagination. And pure imagination is what you get from this beauitfully done retrospective on one of the most important films of my generation: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, written by Mel Stuart and Josh Young.

Filled with pictures and wonderful stories, this book provides an enchanting, enjoyable walk down memory lane. You read starting from the original impetus to make the film, all the way to a fond reunion many years later of the kids and director.

Mel Stuart, being the film's director, has numerous and interesting insights to the creation of this classic. Some of the information in the book is also mentioned in a documentary on the Willy Wonka DVD, but no fear. It seems that if you love this movie, you simply cannot get enough of it!

This book was purcahsed for me as a gift, and it does make the perfect gift for anyone who loves this movie. Or buy it for yourself, curl up on a cold, rainy night, and relive all of those wonderful memories you have of this incredible movie.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book For Willy Wonka Fans!!, February 3, 2003

By	Spoiledbrat (Southern California, United States) - See all my reviews

It's hard to believe that as a child I had nightmare of Oompa Loompas. Today I adore them! Now that's what I call facing my fears.
I recently purchased Pure Imagination through Amazon.com not only because I'm a huge Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory fan, but also because it was listed at a very nice price that I just couldn't pass up. This (hardcover to date) book is full of wonderful behind-the-scenes photos of the classic family movie that many fans had never seen before. There are tons of facts behind the making of the movie and surprises that will make you gasp or laugh out loud. For example, did you know that after shooting for the day, the Oompa Loopa's were quite the party animals at night! I knew it!
This book also shares the ideas and influences behind the breathtaking set designs, costuming, script, castings, music that made this wonderful family classic. What I most enjoyed, however, was the "Where Are They Now?" chapter that updates fans on the current careers and lives of the child stars of this movie who are now grown professionals. This book is a must have for true Willy Wonka fans and as you go through the glossy pages, you'll feel like a kid all over again.