“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” will be shown this Saturday at Movies in the Park on the Field of Dreams at the Palisades Recreation Center, sponsored by Santa Monica—UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital.
The 1971 musical is an adaptation of the 1964 novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl. As Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder received a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination for his work. In 2003, Entertainment Weekly ranked the film 25th in the “Top 50 Cult Movies” of all time.
In the film, Willy Wonka is seeking a person to succeed him in his highly successful chocolate-making business. He hides five golden tickets in chocolate bars, and the children who are lucky enough to find them are invited on a tour of his magical factory. The children see candy-making machines and the Oompa-Loompas, workers who serve as a Greek chorus. Eventually, Charlie, an honest and decent child learns that he will be the heir.
Admission is free. People are invited to bring picnic baskets and blankets before the movie, which starts at dusk. The Recreation and Parks staff will once again serve free hot dogs. Pets, stick chairs, alcohol and smoking are not allowed.
“ET the Extra Terrestrial” will close the season on August 31.
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