"How an elephant got in my pajamas, I shall never know."
Caractacus Potts (Van Dyke) is an unsuccessful inventor. Most people call him a crackpot, but his children, Jeremy (Hall) and Jemima (Ripley), believe he is a genius. He buys an old car from a junkyard and makes a few adjustments to it. His eccentric father, Grandpa (Jeffries), thinks it won't start or if it does start, it will never stop.
The car runs and the family loves it. They name the car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang after the sound it makes. The children befriend Truly Scrumptious (Howes), the daughter of a renowned candy maker. But the car is anything but ordinary, and soon attracts the attention of Baron Bomburst (Frobe), the greedy ruler of Vulgaria. When he kidnaps Grandpa, can the family and Chitty get him back?
I love musicals (which I believe I've mentioned a few times). My parents owned the VHS of this tape, which I wore out... but it has been years since I watched or thought about this film. My 2 year old niece loves this movie and dances around the house singing the "Me Ol' Bamboo" (it's adorable, trust me)... so I decided to watch it again.
Dick Van Dyke is incredible. He is a phenomenal dancer: energetic and entertaining. Four years before making this film, he starred in Mary Poppins, and tried his best to steal the film from Julie Andrews. This film is similar to Mary Poppins and it was his chance to shine. They wanted to reignite the magic of Mary Poppins by reteaming Van Dyke with Andrews, but she turned down the role. The female lead went to Sally Ann Howes, who replaced Andrews on Broadway in My Fair Lady. Howes was a Broadway and West End star.
There are several minor characters that step forward in small but memorable roles. Lionel Jeffries excels as Grandpa, getting a large wardrobe and the best reactions. Robert Helpmann is terrifying and intriguing as the Child Catcher. Alexander Dore and Bernard Spear are hilarious as the spies Herman and Sherman. They play off each other well and get some great exchanges:
"Now then, where are we?"
"I have here, a map."
"I know WHERE we are, stupid! We are in England! But when we are in England, what do we do?"
"We play cricket."
"We play cric- no! We dress like Englishmen!"
"A-ha!"
"Remarkable weather we are having for this time of year, do you not think so, Cuthbert?"
[dressed in the same outfit]
"Indubita-ba-bly, Basil. "
The film is based on a series of children's books by Ian Fleming (although the script was written by Roald Dahl). Fleming also wrote the James Bond series. Like the Bond films, this film was produced by Albert R. Broccoli. The film plot is slightly different from the books. The film version was popular enough to turn the film into a West End musical in 2002 and a Broadway musical in 2005.
It's a quality film, that children will enjoy (young children might be scared by the Child Catcher).
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) 144 minutes
Director: Ken Hughes
Starring: Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts
Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious
Lionel Jeffries as Grandpa Potts
Gert Frobe as Baron Bomburst
Anna Quayle as Baroness Bomburst
Benny Hill as Toymaker
James Robertson Justice as Lord Scrumptious
Robert Helpmann as Child Catcher
Heather Ripley as Jemima Potts
Adrian Hall as Jeremy Potts
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