Why is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang so long

[PSXer]

I have never been able to make it through the entire Vulgaria story in one sitting. It could be shorter I think. I liked all of the movie before that and liked all those song numbers, but there weren't any good ones in the second half I thought (at least not worth watching the whole thing for). I liked Mary Poppins a lot more and its diversion in the sidewalk drawing was good and short (not that I say that the Vulgaria story had to be quite that short, but it could have been trimmed)

who agrees? who thinks I am completely wrong?


Also is it Gert Frobe's (Fröbe?) real voice or dubbed like in Goldfinger?

[NDP]

To answer this question, a little film history background is necessary.

In 1964, Disney released the hugely successful Mary Poppins. The following year, 20th Century Fox, released the even-more successful The Sound of Music. Hoping to duplicate the mega-grosses these two movies generated, Hollywood produced a number of big-budgeted family-friendly musicals that ran longer than two hours. Unfortunately, most of these films turned out to be tedious bombs that almost drove several studios to near-bankrupcty and crippled the once-healthy genre of the movie musical. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang--along with the Rex Harrison verison of Dr. Doolittle, Star, and Hello Dolly--was one of these movies. They all operated under the (mistaken) belief that longer is better and that audiences would feel cheated if the film's length was under 2.5 hours.

[Two Many Cats]

So, what songs would you cut from any of these movies? Unless, this is hijacking the thread, but I think the OP's question has been answered admirably by NPD.

Mary Poppins? Definitely the Uncle Albert scene. Adds nothing, and is just annoying, like most of Ed Wynn's schtick.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? I never liked Up from the Ashes. It comes so late in the film that it's just annoying filler, as opposed to Me Old Bamboo which is filler, but comes earlier in the film so it's not as annoying.

[PSXer]

I like the Uncle Albert scene and find those types of jokes hilarious. I would cut Go To Sleep and The Bird Lady Song (but also I don't understand what is the point of the Bird Lady besides just having something for Michael to spend his money on)


but anyway I never thought Mary Poppins was too long even though I don't like those particular scenes


edit: and yes I know that Mr, Banks is supposed to look beyond the edge of his nose to see the bird lady, but I still feel like I am missing something

[CalMeacham]

Originally Posted by NDP

To answer this question, a little film history background is necessary.

In 1964, Disney released the hugely successful Mary Poppins. The following year, 20th Century Fox, released the even-more successful The Sound of Music. Hoping to duplicate the mega-grosses these two movies generated, Hollywood produced a number of big-budgeted family-friendly musicals that ran longer than two hours. Unfortunately, most of these films turned out to be tedious bombs that almost drove several studios to near-bankrupcty and crippled the once-healthy genre of the movie musical. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang--along with the Rex Harrison verison of Dr. Doolittle, Star, and Hello Dolly--was one of these movies. They all operated under the (mistaken) belief that longer is better and that audiences would feel cheated if the film's length was under 2.5 hours.

I'd like to add Disney's own follow-up to Mary poppins in that list. Bedknobs and Broomsticks is intolerably long. They had David Tomlinson back, the Sherman Brothers doing the songs, and many Disney regulars, but -- it-- just ---- goes -- on -- and -- ON! If they'd cut it to half the length or so it would've been much better.

I agree about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang being way too long as well. The Sherman Brothers jumped the Disney Ship, and they had Dick Van Dyke, and the movie still wasn't a major success. Have a look at the book it came from -- it's practically a pamphlet! This movie is the very definition of 'padded".

[boozilu]

I despise the Bird Lady -- I'm with PSXer there.

I always thought that CCBB could be split into two movies -- I don't really mind either the wrap-around story or the Vulgaria -- I just think both together makes for a dis-jointed and way-too-long movie.

[Zsofia]

People... people don't like the Bird Lady in Mary Poppins? One of the loveliest songs in the movie? I am disappointed in humanity.

[DrFidelius]

Originally Posted by Zsofia

People... people don't like the Bird Lady in Mary Poppins? One of the loveliest songs in the movie? I am disappointed in humanity.

Lovely song, yes, but it brings the flow of the film to a screeching halt.

[Earl Snake-Hips Tucker]

Nothing to add to the question that hasn't been answered, but. . .
Lionel Jeffries (Grandpa Potts) was six months younger than his Dick van Dyke, who played his son.

[Yllaria]

Originally Posted by DrFidelius

Lovely song, yes, but it brings the flow of the film to a screeching halt.

Or it's a nice change of tone and gives the movie depth. I wouldn't cut anything from Mary Poppins. I don't think it would have had the staying power that it has if it had been action, action, action.

[BrainGlutton]

Originally Posted by NDP

Unfortunately, most of these films turned out to be tedious bombs that almost drove several studios to near-bankrupcty and crippled the once-healthy genre of the movie musical.

Wondered what happened to it.

[control-z]

I think I've been confusing/combining Chitty Chitty and Mary Poppins all these years. Although I enjoy and appreciate the movies, I've never made it through either one of them, always fall asleep.

[PSXer]

I love Mary Poppins, and I love the first half of chitty chitty bang bang. I have never seen the Sound of Music, but I think i might like it. gotta see it some day.


I made a whole topic about this before, but another song I hate that slows down the movie to a halt is "Cheer Up Charlie" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". That is the only part of any movie that I fast-forward through. I don't like the Mary Poppins songs I mentioned earlier, but nevertheless I watch them everytime I'm watching the movie.

Also I fast forwarded through "The Morning Report" on the new Lion King DVD, but that isn't a part of the original movie

[EvilTOJ]

This thread reminded me of the Bag of Weed parody on Family Guy. I went to go look for it to get a listen and I found this little gem.

[Rhiannon8404]

I really don't care for either movie. I used to like Mary Poppins, but then I ruined it for myself by reading the books.

[Yllaria]

I only read one of the books, but it had multiple stories in it. They were very different from the movie, to the point that I really had trouble associating the two. Sort of like the difference between "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Who Censored Roger Rabbit."

Did you dislike the books or did you think that they were better than the movie?

[PSXer]

Never read either book

[kaylasdad99]

I kinda wish they had made Chitty Chitty Bang Bang into two movies. They might have been able to start a whole franchise instead of wasting everybody's time with ever-more Bond films. Stupid cold war penis-measuring flicks, those were (except for Casino Royale, which totally rocked).

[Tom Tildrum]

Off-topic, Cracked.com ruins Mary Poppins for any future viewing in a recent Photoshop contest. Don't click that link if you want to keep enjoying the movie.

[Wheelz]

Originally Posted by CalMeacham

I'd like to add Disney's own follow-up to Mary poppins in that list. Bedknobs and Broomsticks is intolerably long. They had David Tomlinson back, the Sherman Brothers doing the songs, and many Disney regulars, but -- it-- just ---- goes -- on -- and -- ON! If they'd cut it to half the length or so it would've been much better.

I'm not sure you could call Bedknobs & Broomsticks a "follow-up" to Mary Poppins, as it came out 7 years later. But for what it's worth, I absolutely adored Bedknobs as an 8-year-old; I think I was right smack in the target demographic when it came out. IMDb has the original running time at 117 minutes, which doesn't seem overly long. A 1980 re-release was apparently cut to 99 minutes... But, the 1996 25th anniversary video was padded out to 139 minutes. Maybe this is the one you saw; I could definitely imagine that bordering on intolerable.

I was all of 13 months old when Mary Poppins came out, and home video wasn't a thing yet, so I think I kind of missed the boat on that one. Yes, I've seen it, and I appreciate it, but I don't recall it as a fond childhood memory like I do B & B. As for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I think I saw it in its original theatrical release -- I do remember Dick Van Dyke and the titular flying jalopy, but being 5 years old at the time, I can't recall whether I got bored or not. And I don't believe I've revisited CCBB since then.

[NDP]

Originally Posted by Wheelz

As for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I think I saw it in its original theatrical release -- I do remember Dick Van Dyke and the titular flying jalopy, but being 5 years old at the time, I can't recall whether I got bored or not. And I don't believe I've revisited CCBB since then.

My parents took me to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the theater when I was about 4. Even though it was long, I remember it did manage to hold my interest during the entire running time which, when you're that age, is your only criteria for whether a movie's good or not.

I didn't see it again until it was shown on TV when I was 7. My estimate of the movie dropped considerably and has never recovered.

[Rhiannon8404]

Originally Posted by Yllaria

I only read one of the books, but it had multiple stories in it. They were very different from the movie, to the point that I really had trouble associating the two. Sort of like the difference between "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and "Who Censored Roger Rabbit."

Did you dislike the books or did you think that they were better than the movie?

I loved the books. I was probably 12 or 13 when I read them and after that the movie just seemed silly. I haven't read or watched either for 25+ years so maybe I would feel differently now.

[BrotherCadfael]

Originally Posted by CalMeacham

I agree about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang being way too long as well. The Sherman Brothers jumped the Disney Ship, and they had Dick Van Dyke, and the movie still wasn't a major success. Have a look at the book it came from -- it's practically a pamphlet! This movie is the very definition of 'padded".

My big gripe with the movie is that it has absolutely nothing whatever in common with the book - the story is entirely made up out of the whole cloth.

[Stanislaus]

My two year-old son has become obsessed with CCBB, in the way that only a 2 year-old can. The good points for him are:
1) Colourful! Shiny! It is a very pretty movie.
2) Music! All but two songs are upbeat, jaunty numbers he can "dance" along to.
3) Few scenes are longer than 3 mins, so there's always something new on screen. And there is a huge variety of locations/scenery so new really is new (e.g. mucking around on a beach to being shot at by pirates to comedy spies in 5 mins).
4) He's way too young to be freaked out by the Childcatcher.
5) May be reaching here, but the relationship between the dad and the children comes across as genuinely affectionate, which I think he likes to see.

For me, the length is a positive virtue - you can essentially treat it as four or five separate movies, depending on where you start watching from. That makes it sprawling and unfocused in the cinema, but is a real boon on DVD in the 21st Century. Not least because it increases the number of times I can watch it with him without stabbing my eyes out.

[Zebra]

Toot Sweet can go.

[CalMeacham]

I'm not sure you could call Bedknobs & Broomsticks a "follow-up" to Mary Poppins, as it came out 7 years later.

"follow-up" doesn't necessarily mean "next movie made". It was clearly intended in the same vein, and used many of the same people.



The version I saw was on disc, so it undoubtedly was the extended version -- I didn't see it in the theaters when it came out. It certainly felt much longer than its stated running time, and could clearly use editing.

[BMalion]

Originally Posted by Zebra

Toot Sweet can go.

Well, dogs love it!

[surrounded by literalists]

OMG! I have PTSD from this fucking movie!

When my oldest was 7 she came down with chicken pox. I rented Chitty Chitty Bang Bang along with 5 or 6 other movies to keep her entertained for the next 10 days or so. Well, SHE LOVED IT! So much in fact, that I had to suffer throught that long, sappy, syrupy, LSD inspired story 5 TIMES A DAY FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS! Good God I thought I was going snap the last rubber band holding the framework of my brain together. Nothing I could offer her would do as a substitute distraction, and I tried them all.

The day I returned that movie, I almost cried from relief. And I almost EVISCERATED my husband when he went out and bought the movie for her because she loved it so much. He was at work 10 hrs a day, he didn't have to live through it.

One of the items on my Post Bucket List is to track down the production team of that movie and KICK THEIR ASSES!.

[BMalion]

Originally Posted by surrounded by literalists

...The day I returned that movie, I almost cried from relief. And I almost EVISCERATED my husband when he went out and bought the movie for her because she loved it so much. He was at work 10 hrs a day, he didn't have to live through it....

Time's up. Had your chance. Muffed it. Good morning.

[jjimm]

Originally Posted by Zebra

Toot Sweet can go.

Noooo! The potential for innuendo is worth the price of the ticket alone.

What young man hasn't grabbed his family jewels, pointed them at his girlfriend, and sung:

Don't waste your pucker on some all day sucker
And don't try a toffee or cream
If you seek perfection in sugar confection
Well there's something new on the scene.

A mouth full of cheer
A sweet without peer
A musical morsel supreme!

Toot Sweet Toot Sweet
The bonbon you blow on
The whistle you eat...

[BMalion]

Why are all these dogs running in here?

[TruCelt]

Oh, let's just drop the soft porn section, shall we? Or have you all forgotten "You're my little Choochie-face?"

Seriosuly, WTF?!?

[BMalion]

Ah, the joys of the internet:

"this movie rocks!"

"this movie sucks!"

[Yllaria]

Originally Posted by Rhiannon8404

I loved the books. I was probably 12 or 13 when I read them and after that the movie just seemed silly. I haven't read or watched either for 25+ years so maybe I would feel differently now.

I only know one other person who had read the books first, and he had a similar reaction.

I've seen that apply to a lot of movies and books. Seeing the movie first and reading the book later seems to lead to a lot less disappointment.

[Runestar]

There is no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie. There is only the most excellent children's book by Ian Fleming. No one would possibly consider taking a story with secret caves, gangsters, and explosions and turning it into a sappy childrens' musical.

Therefore, such a movie cannot possibly exist.

:-)

[BMalion]

All I know is a movie I've been watching over and over for more than 40 years has never failed to delight me.

So there.

[ouryL]

The Sherman brothers had a habit of writing a song for every scene and action. CCBB would have been a much longer movie had they used all the songs they wrote for it. Ditto Mary Poppins. Some songs were deleted from MP, one of which ended up in Bed Knobs & Broomsticks. "Beautiful Briny Sea" was original in MP but rewritten for BK & BS. It would have been in the scene where Mary turns over the snow globe before the song "Stay Awake".

[Yookeroo]

Originally Posted by BMalion

Ah, the joys of the internet:

"this movie rocks!"

"this movie sucks!"

You think this is what this thread is saying? Really?

Originally Posted by ouryL

The Sherman brothers had a habit of writing a song for every scene and action.

If I were commissioning music for a musical, this is what I would want. Give me music foe everything, and I'll pick what I want.

[BMalion]

Originally Posted by Yookeroo

You think this is what this thread is saying? Really?

...

No, I was just in a silly mood, sorry about that.

[Elendil's Heir]

Originally Posted by BMalion

Time's up. Had your chance. Muffed it. Good morning.

My family also quotes this line now and then.

I remember seeing CCBB on TV as a kid, and really liking it. I esp. remember the opening flashback sequence with the exciting antique-car race, the mysterious restoration of the car by Potts, being shelled by the Vulgarian tyrant's yacht, and the zeppelin trip ("Port out, starboard home") of Grandpa to Vulgaria. And, yikes, the Childcatcher just scared the bejesus out of my sisters and me. Good times.

CCBB was so long it actually included an intermission with music, which appears on the VHS tape as well (dunno about the DVD). As a movie you can stop at any point and then come back to, for the home entertainment of kids today, I actually think it's pretty good.

I was never nearly as keen on Mary Poppins.

[BMalion]

Originally Posted by Elendil's Heir

...CCBB was so long it actually included an intermission with music, which appears on the VHS tape as well (dunno about the DVD). ...

Yup, it's on my DVD.

[Quartz]

Cinemas used to have intervals. So CCBB was shown in two hour-and-a-bit sections.

[TruCelt]

It's on my DVD,a nd it doesn't match up. When the intermission begins, they are just about to hit a cliff, and when you return they've backed up a good 300 yards and turned left. . .

[Sigmagirl]

Originally Posted by Runestar

There is no Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie. There is only the most excellent children's book by Ian Fleming. No one would possibly consider taking a story with secret caves, gangsters, and explosions and turning it into a sappy childrens' musical.

That reminds me: I need to go into the What's Your Favorite Word You Rarely Get To Use? thread and post gelignite.

[Rocketeer]

Originally Posted by PSXer

I love Mary Poppins, and I love the first half of chitty chitty bang bang. I have never seen the Sound of Music, but I think i might like it. gotta see it some day...

I'd avoided SoM a long time, thinking it was going to be intolerably twee, but my sister dragged me to a showing one day. It was wonderful. Great songs, appealing heroine, nuns, Nazis, wow.

[Elendil's Heir]

Originally Posted by TruCelt

It's on my DVD,a nd it doesn't match up. When the intermission begins, they are just about to hit a cliff, and when you return they've backed up a good 300 yards and turned left. . .

My VHS tape is like that, too. I thought that was just a very brief recap before the action resumes.

[BMalion]

It was like that in the theatrical release too I bet, a "re-cap".

[Lute Skywatcher]

Originally Posted by Elendil's Heir

My VHS tape is like that, too. I thought that was just a very brief recap before the action resumes.

Originally Posted by BMalion

It was like that in the theatrical release too I bet, a "re-cap".

Including a recap in case people were late in getting back would make sense.

[TruCelt]

Yeah, but they never get that close to the cliff again. There wouldn't have been room for them to pull up in time. . .

[mlees]

I saw the thread title in the Cafe Society for a couple days now. I just had to click to find out why someone thought the car was too long.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm315852032/tt0062803