Of all the things I credit with nurturing and fueling my childhood imagination, I suddenly realized that I seem to always manage to leave out Willy Wonka. Or, more accurately, Gene Wilder's portrayal of Willy Wonka.
His passing left me quite saddened but the fact that he hid his Alzheimers because he was afraid that it would lead to sadness if people knew is a last gesture of grace from the great dreamer of dreams himself. He, as his nephew said on NPR, "could not bear to be responsible for one less smile in the world."
I am only now sifting thru the memories of the Chocolate Factory and how the movie was such a part of my youth. How my friends and I would make our own "golden tickets" to hide in our Hershey Bars. How we all wanted to be the enigmatic showman who made dreams come true.
How we emptied out a few cans of chocolate syrup in our day because all wanted to know what it might be like to tend to have our action figures explore a chocolate waterfall and river. : )
Somehow I forget to list it among the influences of my place in the world today.
But today, when I look at the things I create and the impetus behind them. . . it seems so clear. I may never be the caretaker of a chocolate factory but I do believe that any of us who build, dwell in or create little worlds of imagination probably owe at least a bit of thanks to Willy Wonka.
Gene Wilder made me laugh thru the years. Some of his scenes from later movies remain etched in my head and heart. . . but none more so than that of the reclusive Willy Wonka, straining to make his way to the front gate with his walking cane, then lose said cane, fall forward face first only to roll over and bounce up on the soles of his feet with the biggest, most wonderful and warm smile on his face. . . doff his top hat and then, he let us ALL in.
The truth is, I never left Mr. Wonka.
I never left. . .
Thank you
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| "If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it." |
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| "We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams!" |
I love Willy Wonka! I loved that movie! If you really listen to the words, there was so much meaning in that film!! A lot of lessons for the kids too! A brilliant film!! Gene Wilder will be missed!
ReplyDeleteYour creations make my heart smile Nicolas!
Thank you for your excellent words on my last post!!!
Big Hugs!
Stacy, I agree. It really had more to it that we only see as adults! Though I have to say, as a kid, I remember thinking, well, if I have to choose, I'll take the fate of Augustus Gloop. . . somehow, even as a kid who myself couldn't swim, the chocolate river was less frightening than suddenly turning blue and needing juiced! :)
DeleteThank you for dropping by Stacy!
Big Wonka HUGS!
That was a wonderful film indeed and Gene Wilder was amazing. He gave such an incredible performance. I love your villages they are so detailed and magical.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa! I posted those because I just see so much of the Wonka inspiration in them now. Pure imagination. :) My new motto in his honor is "Less worry, more chocolate" :)
DeleteI confess to have never seen the film - if I did I do not recall it. But I remember hearing about it of course. I think I enjoy what you get from it even more, however. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Louise! Well, it's NEVER too late to watch Willy Wonka. . . but I am glad you enjoy the inspiration that flows thru me. :) Lovely to see you here as always!
DeleteI loved Willy Wonka! The books i read first but the movie with Gene Wilder was wonderful. I remember watching it at my grandmothers i think, and even though i never created worlds to play in from it, i did imagine finding a golden ticket inside every Hershey chocolate bar I opened for awhile.
ReplyDeleteAnd the lickable wall paper, i always wanted that! "The snozberries taste like snozberries!"
Yes, the lickable wallpaper!! Oh how I wanted those old scratch and sniff things we had around as kids to TASTE like the thing they smelled like too! But ohhh, they NEVER did! :(
DeleteSnozberries! lol
It was sad to hear of Gene Wilder's passing. I must admit that I never saw the version of Willy Wonka with him in it, only the Tim Burton version starring Johnny Depp. I did enjoy it but somehow, I think I would have enjoyed the original version so much more.
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late Serena! :) I loved the Tim Burton version for it's own reasons but, as you know, nothing quite stays with us like the childhood memories of anything that jolted our imaginations. : ) Thank you!!
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