By John Burke (author of many novelizations and contributor to British TV horror anthologies)
Based on the film Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang (1968)
Screenplay by Roald Dahl (of suspense short story anthology and I guess some children's book fame), and Ken Hughes
Based on the novel Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car (1964)
By Ian Fleming (famous at the time, I guess)
THE STORY OF THE FILM, based on the screenplay by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes from IAN FLEMING'S original stories.
First, Roald Dah is a famous children's book author, with such titles as "The B.F.G" (Big Friendly Giant), "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and, "James and the Giant Peach". Ian Fleming, who was involved in the British Naval Intelligence Service on WW2, is also a famous author, having written at least seventeen books in the James Bond series, which were made into movies initially starring Sean Connery. As far as I know, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang " was his only children's book. I first read this book as an elementary school student, and the book is far superior to the movie, which bears very little resemblance to the juvenile spy thriller which Ian Fleming penned. I found it exciting, gripping, and thought-provoking, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for good quality literature for their children. The movie version of "C C B B" was a complete let-down for anyone who read the book. The plot was changed, Caractucus Potts's wife "Mimsy" was left out, a wacky grandfather was introduced, and a completely different plot direction was introduced with "Truly Scrumptious" and her father's candy factory. While the movie was entertaining, it was not what I expected to see, and consequently I was disappointed in the manner in which this thrilling spy story was transmuted into a light fantasy.
ReplyDelete"In WW2", not "on".
ReplyDeleteDidn't know Dahl and Fleming wrote so many novelizations, good to know.
ReplyDelete