Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Directed by Ken Hughes. US. 1968. Ages 6+. 144 min.
Sponsored by Royal Bank America
- Sat, Oct 23, 2:00 pm
“This justly celebrated and ever-faithful kids movie works so well because it possesses a good deal of everything: light, catchy musical numbers; madcap technology; fairy-tale kingdoms; cheeky, adult-mocking comedy; and genuine scariness. It’s an object lesson for purveyors of young cinema — be silly, be clever, but always, no matter how much nonsense is on show, be real. A vivid, splendid ride, director Ken Hughes washes the tale in primary colors, delicious scenery and an easy eccentricity. The names alone — Caractacus Potts, Truly Scrumptious, Baron Bomburst — carry the kind of rich, onomatopoeic tickle of Roald Dahl, who not coincidentally lent a hand with the screenplay.” (Neil Jeffries, empireonline.com)
Update 10/22/10: Due to a mix-up at MGM, we will have to show Chitty on DVD.