# Why "Charlie" and the Chocolate Factory? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 30, 2005, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489 "2005-06-30T08:43:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/21 "2005-06-30T18:51:06Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Why “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”? > > Because “Frank and the Fudge Packers” didn’t sound quite right. Unless it’s Tim Curry playing the lead. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/22 "2005-06-30T20:30:30Z")
> [@shadowfax33](#): > > To help promote the “Wonka Bar,” it was decided to call the movie “Willie Wonka and…” rather than “Charlie and…” Whoever was speaking on the documentary (sorry for being vague) found it amusing that the candy bar flopped, but the movie, which they had thought would flop, was successful. Indeed, the film was mainly a promotion tie-in. If you look at the opening credits, I believe the copyright notice reads something to the effect of “Wolper Productions and the Quaker Oats Company.” (Quaker later sold the rights to the film to Warner Bros., as they no longer had a need for it after the candy bar failed.) ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/23 "2005-06-30T21:22:59Z")
> [@shadowfax33](#): > > To help promote the “Wonka Bar,” it was decided to call the movie “Willie Wonka and…” rather than “Charlie and…” Whoever was speaking on the documentary (sorry for being vague) found it amusing that the candy bar flopped, but the movie, which they had thought would flop, was successful. To elaborate, the Wonka Bar was recalled because it melted at room temperature. By the time they reworked the formula, the movie had already come and gone. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/24 "2005-06-30T21:47:42Z")
> [@RobuSensei](#): > > [OT]Back in college… One day, after choir rehearsal, I walked up to the director (Dr. Armstrong) and said, “Can I ask you a stupid question?” > > Naturally, he said, “There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Go ahead.” > > My question: “Would you like to play Lieutenant Worf at a _Star Trek_ “How To Host a Mystery” party?” > > His response: He grabbed me by the lapels and shouted, “IT REALLY IS A STUPID QUESTION!!!” > > And then he said yes. 🙂 [/OT] Well, I’m sure it helped that he ended up playing the ultimate culprit. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/25 "2005-06-30T21:51:55Z")
I’d rather see **Veruca and the Chocolate Factory**. Charlie already got the spotlight in the Gene Wilder version. Give Veruca a chance. **GIVE IT NOW.** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/26 "2005-06-30T21:55:32Z")
I’ve never been fond of the Wilder version either–I didn’t think that movie was true to the book. The only kid I thought did a great job (besides Charlie-he was OK) was the girl who played Veruca Salt–loved her! And the Wonka bar tasted like soap to me–it was lousy chocolate. And, of course, there were no Golden Tickets, so… Looking forward to this movie. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/27 "2005-06-30T23:15:11Z")
What was a Wonka bar like? It had chocolate, but what else? (I was too little.) ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/28 "2005-06-30T23:18:46Z")
I can’t remember the original, but I freaking LOVE the new [donutz](http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/p2377.htm). ---
**Author:** ![flood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@flood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flood)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/29 "2005-07-01T17:12:55Z")
Holy Flying Fishnets Batman! I think I’ve found my first ever sig line. That is, if it’s OK with you Mr. **DrMemory** , sir. ---
**Author:** ![flood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@flood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flood)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/30 "2005-07-01T17:14:03Z")
Above post was with regard to above post #7. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/31 "2005-07-02T13:39:11Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > I can’t remember the original, but I freaking LOVE the new [donutz](http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/p2377.htm). At $24 a pop, you better. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/32 "2005-07-02T14:34:39Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > At $24 a pop, you better. That’s for a case of 24, with free shipping, it looks to me. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/33 "2005-07-02T14:44:36Z")
I think the original Wonka Bar was just chocolate but I can’t remember. The ones you can buy now are chocolate and graham crackers, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/34 "2005-07-02T15:09:30Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > I think the original Wonka Bar was just chocolate but I can’t remember. The ones you can buy now are chocolate and graham crackers, I think. They are, indeed. My son and my Beloved each tried one and loved it. We didn’t get a Golden Ticket, but my son _does_ want to give the Donutz a try. ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/35 "2005-07-02T15:53:52Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > There are no stupid questions. Is celibacy heriditary? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Arwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Arwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arwin)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/36 "2005-07-02T15:54:42Z")
> [@Large Marge](#): > > Why isn’t the latest movie called **Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory**? > > I’m curious. > > Anyone? Less ‘Willy Wanker’ jokes? I mean, what was the guy (author) thinking? Actually, come to think of it, that question has probably already been asked. I should probably hit Google. 😃 And a related question: has anyone ever seen a movie with the 21 Jump Street upstart that did, in fact, suck? ---
**Author:** ![RobuSensei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@RobuSensei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobuSensei)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/37 "2005-07-02T17:29:10Z")
> [@Pixisis](#): > > I never really cared for the Gene Wilder version , either. But, I have hopes for this one. 😃 > > and I’ve always loved the book. I must note that several sources, including the IMDB, say that even _Roald Dahl_ despised the Gene Wilder movie version! (Supposedly because the studio brought someone in to do a massive re-write of Dahl’s original screenplay.) ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/38 "2005-07-02T17:44:43Z")
> [@Arwin](#): > > And a related question: has anyone ever seen a movie with the 21 Jump Street upstart that did, in fact, suck? [I haven’t](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101917/) [seen all](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118768/) his features, [but some of the](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112883/) [linked titles don’t seem](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099329/) [to inspire much confidence.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142688/) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/39 "2005-07-02T19:23:54Z")
😃 nice job **Gaspode** ; thanks for saving me some time today Bo ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489/40 "2005-07-02T22:54:19Z")
Hey now! _Cry Baby_ wasn’t bad at all! And a VERY tame John Waters film for newbies! 😉 It doesn’t surprise me that a Roald Dahl script for children might need a touch of rewrite. Of course, I’ve not read his juvenile fiction, but I know I wouldn’t let my kids near _Switch Bitch_, _Kiss Kiss_, _Someone Like You_ or _My Uncle Oswald_! Well, maybe when they are at least 12! 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/310489.md?page=3)