English 227 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Mel Stuart
Mel Stuart is the director of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). This was the first major theatrical film he had done, as it was for most of his staff. He continued after Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to direct mostly documentary films. Before turning to film, Stuart aspired to be a composer. Oddly enough, he did not want to make Charlie and the Chocolate Factory into a musical at all in the beginning. He was originally convinced by his daughter to direct this film, and also to include songs. He also mentions in Pure Imgination that he always meant for the movie to cater toward adult audiences as well as children. Maybe this is why there are so many literary quotes in Willy Wonka's lines, stemming from things children wouldn't recognise like Shakespeare. These were added to the script by David Seltzer when he rewrote Roald Dahl's screen play.
Stuart joined the Wolper Organization in 1959, where he produced and directed dozens of documentaries. They also did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In 1977, the Wolper Organization was aquired by Warner Brothers, so Stuart became an independant producer and diector.
In 2001, a documentary came out including many interviews from Mel Stuart and the rest of the cast. It's called Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Stuart joined the Wolper Organization in 1959, where he produced and directed dozens of documentaries. They also did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In 1977, the Wolper Organization was aquired by Warner Brothers, so Stuart became an independant producer and diector.
In 2001, a documentary came out including many interviews from Mel Stuart and the rest of the cast. It's called Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
David Seltzer (Screenplay)
Before Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, David Seltzer's only real film experince had been in making documentaries and all but one of these were for television. Since Wonka, Seltzer has spread out to write many many movies, encluding The Omen (both original and remake), My Giant, and Bird on a Wire. Most of his work now is theatrical, many of which are horror movies.
He has worked on many horror movies, as well as melodramas. In 1986, he directed and wrote the film Lucas, before going back to screenwriting.
Seltzer was uncredited as the screenwriter of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Roald Dahl is the credited screenwriter and author of the book. However, David Seltzer is the one who re-wrote Dahl's screenplay. He changed several plot points, worked Slugworth (who is only mentioned in the book) into the plot, and added many many literary quotes into the movie, mostly said by Gene Wilder.
He has worked on many horror movies, as well as melodramas. In 1986, he directed and wrote the film Lucas, before going back to screenwriting.
Seltzer was uncredited as the screenwriter of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Roald Dahl is the credited screenwriter and author of the book. However, David Seltzer is the one who re-wrote Dahl's screenplay. He changed several plot points, worked Slugworth (who is only mentioned in the book) into the plot, and added many many literary quotes into the movie, mostly said by Gene Wilder.
