Happily Ever After
Flipping through channels tonight on TV, we caught the tail end of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” AMC brilliantly added footnotes about the production, making it an even sweeter experience.
My favorite footnote was about the last line of the movie, which was originally “Yippee!” The director, Mel Stuart, wasn’t satisfied with that, and neither was anyone else. Rewrites were in order.
In the film, Willy Wonka says, “Now, Charlie, never forget the story of the man who got everything he ever wanted…he lived happily ever after.”
Gene Wilder later said that last line “gave him chills.”
Screenwriter David Seltzer wrote that line on the spot, and there’s no better way to end the movie…or live a life.
–Sue
Add comment December 6th, 2008
