Who is Willy Wonka

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 17 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #2,177 in People, #42,104 overall

The Amazing Chocolatier

Willy Wonka is the amazing chocolatier, the confectionery genius, the eternal child and the dreamer of dreams first brought to life by Rohal Dahl in the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He has been portrayed in two very different performances by Gene Wilder in 1971 and by Johnny Depp in 2005.

The answer to the question "Who is Willy Wonka?" may depend a lot on your age. If you are old enough to remember the 1971 movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, then Gene Wilder is the only Willy Wonka you may know. If you are younger and remember watching the 2005 movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then Johnny Depp is your Willy Wonka.

While you are visiting, be sure to vote for your favorite Willy Wonka and leave a message about which one is your favorite. 

Willy Wonka at a Glance 

Willy Wonka is a fictional character in the novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as the film adaptations Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Wonka is stated to be old, as he is portrayed in the story to be "older than you think".

Who is Your Favorite Willy Wonka? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Differences between book and film versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

This lens looks a bit at the differences between the book, the two film versions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Differences between book and films of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The following table depicts the differences between the book and film adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

Willy Wonka - The Book Version 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was first published by Roald Dahl in 1964.

In the book, he describes Willy Wonka as so:
    He had a black to hat on his head.
    He wore a tail coat made of
    a beautiful plum-colored velvet.
    His trousers were bottle green.
    His gloves were pearly gray.
    An in one hand he carried a fine gold-topped walking cane.

    Covering his chin, there was a small neat pointed black beard--a goatee.
    And his eyes--his eyes were the most marvelously bright.
    They seemed to be sparkling and twinkling at you all the time.
    The whole face, in fact, was alight with fun and laughter.

Source:
Dahl R. 1964. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Random House Inc. p. 57.

Image Source: Wikipedia. Wikimedia. Willy Wonka as drawn by Quentin Blake.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Books from Amazon 

This is the original book version of Charlie and the Chocolate factory written by Roald Dahl, as well as a version that has been made into a play.

Willy Wonka on Invention 

Invention, my dear friends, is
93% perspiration,
6% electricity,
4% evaporation,
and 2% butterscotch ripple.


Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka - Gene Wilder Version 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the musical version that was released in 1971. In this version Willy Wonka was played by Gene Wilder.

    Gene Wilder played the chocolate-maker as a fun-loving scamp who enjoys seeing bad little children get what they deserve.

Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka always had a bit of a hidden smirk on his face leaving you wondering what he was up to or what he might have up his sleeve. He did seem to be a lovable character.

The only hints that we get with Wilder that there may be something a bit off or wrong with Willy Wilder are during the infamous boat ride (one of the scarier scenes that I can remember watching as a child) and at the end of the film when he blows up at Charlie (that we later discover was a character test).

Source:
McMurray S. 2005. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Movie Review.

Willy Wonka on Good Deeds 

So shines a good deed in a weary world.

Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on YouTube 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the musical version with Gene Wilder from 1971.

Anthony Newley wrote the Candy Man that was used in the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory trailer

Runtime: 120
461491 views
414 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


willy wonka original psychedelic boat trip

Runtime: 159
303824 views
1364 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory - Full Inflation Scene

Runtime: 237
174673 views
269 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


Violet Beauregard blows up like a balloon, blueberry.

Runtime: 93
285941 views
285 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


Bob Downe Special - ANTHONY NEWLEY (ITV 1996)

Runtime: 404
20766 views
50 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Willy Wonka on Music Makers and Dreamers 

We are the music makers.
We are the dreamers of dreams.


Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on Amazon 

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the musical version with Gene Wilder from 1971. The film celebrated it's 30'th Anniversary in 2001, 35th Anniversary in 2006.

Pure Imagination: The Making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/08/2009) Buy Now

Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl Press Out and Build)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/08/2009) Buy Now

A Little Nonsense Please... 

A little nonsense, now and then,
is relished by the wisest men.


Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka - Johnny Depp Version 

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is the version released in 2005. In this new version Willy Wonka was played by Johnny Depp.

Jonny Depp's version is very different than Gene Wilder's loveable, child-loving and mischievous Wonka.

Thanks to Director Tim Burton's interpretation, this newer version is more complex and more complicated. You aren't quite sure if he is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and why, if he doesn't appear to like children, he invited them into his factory.

We get more of a sense of a Willy Wonka who has shut himself off from the world and perhaps has spent too much time alone in his factory.

One reviewer described Depp's Willy Wonka as follows:
    Depp portrays a man whose unhappy relationship with his father leads him to withdraw from his dad and go out to seek his own way in the world.

    By the time he re-enters the public eye, he is guarded about human contact and draws his social skills from a child-like innocence and his personal look from his whimsical, kaleidoscopic view of the world.

    Like a child who is poignantly honest with those he encounters in life, Wonka just blurts out what he is feeling at the time. Although hard for the adults around him to swallow, in the end, it is a most effective teaching experience for everyone involved.
Source:
McMurray S. 2005. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Movie Review.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Videos on YouTube 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the non-musical version featuring Johnny Depp from 2005.

Willy Wonka Song

Runtime: 55
1216614 views
950 Comments:


Charlie and the chocolate factory

Runtime: 112
467933 views
382 Comments:


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory trailer

Runtime: 150
469148 views
793 Comments:


Violet Beauregarde -- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2005

Runtime: 279
752987 views
1284 Comments:


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Boat Ride

Runtime: 138
90447 views
293 Comments:


Willy Wonka Canibalism

Runtime: 21
53949 views
165 Comments:


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Runtime: 135
48102 views
35 Comments:


Chewing gum is really gross, chewing gum I hate the most!

Runtime: 32
67877 views
133 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Willy Wonka on Mumbling 

Once again,
you really shouldn't mumble,
'cause it's really starting to bum me out!


Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Gene Wilder on Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka 

Initially Gene Wilder was less than complimentary in his thoughts about a remake of Willy Wonka. He was quoted as saying,
    It's all about the money. It's just some people sitting around thinking 'How can we make some money?'

    Why else would you remake Willy Wonka?
After seeing the 2005 remake and the wonderful job that Johnny Depp did in creating a very different persona for Willy Wonka, Wilder was enamored with the outcome. He called Johnny Depp as a "magical" choice to play Willy Wonka.
    If I were to cast the movie, I'd cast Johnny Depp. He's wonderful.
You can listen to Johnny Depp's interview about creating the role and the tribute he paid to Gene Wilder's original version in the YouTube interview below.

Johnny Depp on His Role as Willy Wonka on YouTube 

johnny depp interview

charlie and the chocolate factory

Runtime: 360
379867 views
585 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory on Amazon 

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp.

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)

Amazon Price: $17.49 (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [HD DVD]

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Everything is eatable... 

Everything in this room is eatable, in fact even I am eatable, but that is called cannibalism my dear children and it frowned upon in most societies.

Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka Introduction Song 

Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
the amazing chocolatier weeeeee
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka,
everybody give a cheer
He's modest, clever, and so smart,
he barely can restrain it

With so much generosity, there is no way to contain it, to contain it,
to contain... to contain... to contain...
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, he's the one that you're about to meet
Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka, he's a genius who just can't be beat
The magician and the chocolate whiz
The best darn guy who ever lived
Willy Wonka, here he is!

Willy Wonka on Chewing Gum 

Chewing gum is really gross,
chewing gum I hate the most.

Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka T-Shirts on Amazon 

Willy Wonka - Logo T-Shirt

$17.95

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Willy Wonka - Marching T-Shirt

$17.95

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Willy Wonka - Golden Ticket Movie T-Shirt

$17.95

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Willy Wonka I'm Sorry Girls T-Shirt

$9.00

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

The Official Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Film Website 

The Official Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Film Site
The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory website is the online interactive flash destination for the feature film based on the popular children's book by Roald Dahl, with screenplay by John August, directed by Tim Burton, music by Danny Elfman, and starring Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham.

So, You Want to Dress up like Willy Wonka? 

Willy Wonka Costumes on Amazon

Adult Willy Wonka Costume

$36.99

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Kids Willy Wonka Costume

$26.99

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

So, You Want to Dress up like Willy Wonka? Accessories 

Here are the Willy Wonka Costume Accessories available on Amazon.

Adult Willy Wonka Spiral Costume Goggles [Toy] [Toy] [Toy] [Toy]

$9.99

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Willy Wonka TV Room Goggles [Toy] [Toy] [Toy] [Toy]

$11.95

Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Experimenting on Oompa Loompahs 

I've tried it on, like,
20 Oompa Loompahs and each one ended up as a blueberry.
It's just weird!


Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

So You want to Dress Up like an Oompa Loompa? 

Everything you need to be an Oompa Loompa

Adult Funny Oompa Loompa Costume

$37.95

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Adult Oompa Loompa Wig

$15.99

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Oompa Loompa Costume Goggles

$8.77

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Kids Oompa Loompa Wig

$11.99

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Kids Funny Oompa Loompa Costume

$27.95

Amazon Price: (as of 12/09/2009) Buy Now

Making an Original Oompa Loompa Costume 


Several pages with instructions for making an original Oompa Loompa Costume.
Coolest Homemade Oompa Loompa Costumes
Homemade original Oompa Loompa costumes (from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Version).
Costume Ideas Oompa Loompa - Original
Costume ideas for creating an original Oompa Loompa.
Oompa Loompa
A list of items needed along with instructions for making an original Oompa Loompa Costume.

Oompa Loompas on eBay 

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

The Latest Willy Wonka News from Yahoo 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Willy Wonka on eBay 

Willy Wonka products and items on eBay.

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Willy Wonka Items on CafePress 

Price: 0.00 Buy Now

Eatable Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt

Everything in this room is eatable, in fact even I am eatable, but that is called cannibalism my dear children and it frowned upon in most societies.

Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Price: 21.99 Buy Now

Powered by CafePress

The Latest Willy Wonka News from Google 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

More Willy Wonka Items on CafePress 

A collection of Golden Ticket Shirts and some of the more memorable expressions from the films.

Chewing Gum is Really Gross Jr. Jersey T-Shirt

Chewing gum is really gross, chewing gum I hate the most.

Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Price: 22.99 Buy Now

Price: 0.00 Buy Now

Powered by CafePress

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on eBay 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory products and items on eBay.

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Comment on Your Favorite Willy Wonka! 

Who was your favorite Willy Wonka?

Share your stories, thoughts, memories, comments etc...

submit

P.S. If you buy something from this page... 

... you'll automatically be making a donation to Save the Children, an organization making the world a better place for children.

Doesn't that make you feel like you are making a difference?

About Save the Children 

Many time in reading the book and in watching both movies there are moments where you are concerned about saving the children, or at least saving Charlie.

As such this lens is supporting the Save the Children Organization.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children in need both in the United States and around the world.

The have been recognized for their commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration. Their work takes them into the heart of communities, where they focus on helping children and families help themselves.

by Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is the mother of two very energetic, inquisitive young girls who loved the new version of Willy Wonka.

She is also a respe...

(more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!