This is the film I most enjoyed as a kid. I first got the books by Ian Fleming out of the school library. And while the film doesn't follow the books very closely (the script is a virtually new rewrite by famed author Roald Dahl); this fun, dynamic whimsical story by the makers of MARY POPPINS and the Bond films completely captivated me.
I have heard of people still frightened by the Child-Catcher character (played by Australian ballet dancer Robert Helpmann); and considering the worst thing you see him do is lock children in cages, it's quite an impressive achievement. (Of course, it is implied that he kills children.) And when you see the scene where the Baron sings a corny love song to the Baroness while secretly trying to kill her, you realize that this works on more levels than just a cute kiddie's story.
I still rank the Toots Sweet number as one of the best staging in cinema musicals, rivaling Busby Berkley. And the recreation of silent movie gags with the two spies and Lord Scrumptious adds to the delight. There's also the subtle pun of Grandpa going to his "laboratory/lavatory" (geddit?); and a host of other sly references.
All in all, still a top class family entertainment story. By the way; I think there may be room for a remake that ties more closely to the original story about British-French gunrunners. Perhaps as a tele-movie?
I have heard of people still frightened by the Child-Catcher character (played by Australian ballet dancer Robert Helpmann); and considering the worst thing you see him do is lock children in cages, it's quite an impressive achievement. (Of course, it is implied that he kills children.) And when you see the scene where the Baron sings a corny love song to the Baroness while secretly trying to kill her, you realize that this works on more levels than just a cute kiddie's story.
I still rank the Toots Sweet number as one of the best staging in cinema musicals, rivaling Busby Berkley. And the recreation of silent movie gags with the two spies and Lord Scrumptious adds to the delight. There's also the subtle pun of Grandpa going to his "laboratory/lavatory" (geddit?); and a host of other sly references.
All in all, still a top class family entertainment story. By the way; I think there may be room for a remake that ties more closely to the original story about British-French gunrunners. Perhaps as a tele-movie?