Today’s blogpost is celebrating our pure imagination inspired from the song “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory“.  

The movie is an adaptation of the 1964 book by Roald Dahl.   It tells the story of Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum, this was his only film appearance) who receives a Golden Ticket and visits Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with four other children from around the world.  Below is a photo of the original cast of children (40 years later) !

Photo upper left of Oompa Loompas – loved finding this creative photo of the Dragon Boat Racing in Paddington 2010, organised by Paddington Waterside Partnership.  Winner of the ‘Best Dressed Team’ award; Marks and Spencer as the “Oompa Loompas”, 15 July 2010.  Attribution: By Nmorange (Template:Paddington Waterside Partnership) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The song “Pure Imagination” is sung by Gene Wilder.  One can go to YouTube if you do not have the DVD and watch Gene sing the song – it is truly captivating and the way I like to envision Gene will be remembered a hundred years from now.

This movie is a favorite with two of my nephews.  I am delighted to see it being claimed and embraced by younger audiences.  On this site, AnchoredScraps.com a quote from the song is included among the Quote of the Day that are rotated each time you log onto the site.

There is a gem I discovered “Famous Willy Wonka Quotes (and their original context)” from July 2013 by John Powers (On Twitter @ComicJohnPowers).  He took the time to research “Wilder’s Wonka lines are lifted from famous literary sources. I’d like to explore the originals.”  It is really worth reading!

In looking on You Tube for the Gene Wilder version of the song, “Pure Imagination” I came across many renditions of it posted – including by Lou Rawls (from 1976),  Maroon 5, Fiona Apple, will.i.am & Jermain Jackman sing ‘Pure Imagination’ – The Voice UK 2014: The Live Finals – BBC; Emily Rex for The Voice in Australia; Johnny Mathis, Glee, Harry Connick, Jr., Jackie Evancho, Anthony Newley.  There was a July 2012 ABC News interview of Benedict Cumberbatch being interviewed, singing “Pure Imagination” when asked for a “musical snippet that will identify the inner Benedict Cumberbatch to the world that is out there now” (it is at 6:30 into the 7:34 video).

There is a March 2015 You Tube promoting a new release of the song “Pure Imagination” by Josh Groban (on Twitter @joshgroban) which is included on his new album “Stages”.   Apparently since being posted in March it has been released and is available for sale at Amazon and other sites too.

There is also a Pure Imagination video with Lindsey Stirling & Josh Groban with The Muppets that is posted – you’ll have to watch it, the ending was done in true Muppets style (Published May 7, 2015).

If you have not seen the original movie with Gene Wilder you really should, after you’ll never watch another version (including music videos) without thinking of Gene in his colorful wardrobe singing and dancing as only he does in this movie!

You probably are already familiar with the books of Roald Dahl – they include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine, and Danny the Champion of the World.

“Pure Imagination” – Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.   They received an Academy Award nomination for the film score of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).   This is a link to the lyrics for “Pure Imagination”.

Do you have a special favorite song from a movie that your family KNOWS is a favorite of yours?   Would they be able to guess it in a game show if asked?   It is a fun exercise to think and jot down your favorite five songs from movies and SHARE, in a letter perhaps, with your family and friends.   It is sure to ignite your “Pure Imagination”!

Anchors Aweigh,
Helen