Review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) by Patrick L — 16 Apr 2012

Starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes with a small role for Benny Hill, this film is about an eccentric inventor, his two children and their "accidental" meeting with a young woman who becomes part of their world and their family. Part of the marvel of this film, old as it may be, is in the weird and wonderful inventions shown in the film.

An absurd spectacle is a musical number about a fruit flavoured candy stick that the inventor tries to introduce to a local candy maker. The candy stick can also be a whistle, showing this feature to the candy maker leads to a parade of dogs entering the factory and making a mess of everything! This scene reminded me of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". It also reminded me of the campy skits of Johnny Carson, Benny Hill (he's in this film) and the film "The Mask" with Jim Carrey as well as "Mr. Bean".

The movie reaches epic heights of absurdity when pirates come after the father, children and the young woman while on a picnic at the beach (later, it appears that this is part of a story the inventor has told them). The scenes are astounding with the car being surrounded by water then floating and later spreading wings and flying. Ultimately a happy ending results. 10/10.