That old “‘Night Before Christmas” is always a treat that brings back great memories. Thanks for posting it.
That team in the mid 80’s, even though they never hoisted the Silver Chalice (but came close), they had character. There was a clear team identity. They were never outworked, always had each other’s backs, and hated to lose more than they loved to win.
Bill, you would know better than me, but wasn't Mccammon also the assistant general manager for part of that time? I had always gotten a sense that he had some impact on those drafts that produced the great teams of the mid-80's. I could be wrong as a google search only turns up the GM position in 83-84.
Bill, you would know better than me, but wasn't Mccammon also the assistant general manager for part of that time? I had always gotten a sense that he had some impact on those drafts that produced the great teams of the mid-80's. I could be wrong as a google search only turns up the GM position in 83-84. - GeorgeBailey
McCammon was AGM/head coach in 1982-83 and became GM the next season. But as a head coach, especially before the age of wider video use, there was very limited scouting opportunity. Also, it was still Keith Allen's scouting staff.
Gene Wilder had a plethora of great works over the years, but I’ll go on record saying absolutely nobody could have played that particular role better. It was tailor made for his dark and sardonic presence.
Gene Wilder had a plethora of great works over the years, but I’ll go on record saying absolutely nobody could have played that particular role better. It was tailor made for his dark and sardonic presence.
Johnny Depp couldn’t hold a candle to him. - Hesh_
I'll agree.
For the 2005 film some fair amount of blame should go to Tim Burton. I know he wanted to be more faithful to the book but I'm not a fan of most of his stuff, especially his later oeuvre. He's good with incorporating effects (not surprising given his start with animation) into his eccentric style, but somewhere along the way he lost his ability to tell a good story. Structure and pacing of his later films are abysmal. Charlie & The Chocolate factory is one of them because he got to hung up on being faithful to Dahl's book.
Dahl, meanwhile, was given screenwriter credit for the 1971 film but his script was so bad and had so many missing pieces as they began filming that it was given to an uncredited screenwriter for a complete overhaul.
It's interesting to note that there was many big names considered or who've vied for the part of Wonka before Wilder was cast. Fred Astaire wanted it but he may have considered himself too old for the role and thus really never seriously tried to get it. Peter Sellers reportedly begged Dahl to get an in for consideration. At one point Joel Grey was the leading choice but the director thought he was too short. Spike Milligan, Sellers' Goon Show co-star and friend, was also considered, as well as a number of British actors and comedians. Supposedly, every member of the Monty Python troupe had desire to play the part, but they were considered too unfamiliar for an international audience at the time (remember, Monty Python's Flying Circus really didn't catch on big in the US until after Holy Grail came out a few years later).
But when Wilder auditioned, the producers, and especially the director, knew they had their Wonka. Supposedly, the producer had to calm the director down after the audition, so as not to reveal their hand for salary negotiations.
For the 2005 film some fair amount of blame should go to Tim Burton. I know he wanted to be more faithful to the book but I'm not a fan of most of his stuff, especially his later oeuvre. He's good with incorporating effects (not surprising given his start with animation) into his eccentric style, but somewhere along the way he lost his ability to tell a good story. Structure and pacing of his later films are abysmal. Charlie & The Chocolate factory is one of them because he got to hung up on being faithful to Dahl's book.
Dahl, meanwhile, was given screenwriter credit for the 1971 film but his script was so bad and had so many missing pieces as they began filming that it was given to an uncredited screenwriter for a complete overhaul.
It's interesting to note that there was many big names considered or who've vied for the part of Wonka before Wilder was cast. Fred Astaire wanted it but he may have considered himself too old for the role and thus really never seriously tried to get it. Peter Sellers reportedly begged Dahl to get an in for consideration. At one point Joel Grey was the leading choice but the director thought he was too short. Spike Milligan, Sellers' Goon Show co-star and friend, was also considered, as well as a number of British actors and comedians. Supposedly, every member of the Monty Python troupe had desire to play the part, but they were considered too unfamiliar for an international audience at the time (remember, Monty Python's Flying Circus really didn't catch on big in the US until after Holy Grail came out a few years later).
But when Wilder auditioned, the producers, and especially the director, knew they had their Wonka. Supposedly, the producer had to calm the director down after the audition, so as not to reveal their hand for salary negotiations. - Bendecko
Interesting stuff!
Yknow, Sellers may have been able to pull it off. Perhaps Eric Idle or John Cleese. Cleese’s height and awkwardness could have been a good fit.
Still, I think Wilder was the right pick. He had that darkness.
