June 27, 2016

Willy Wonka and Lebron

Willy Wonka greets me as I walked into the theatre.
June 26, 2016

What an exciting week at our house!

First, the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Lebron James,  won the championship last Sunday evening!
(A mega parade in Cleveland followed on Wednesday.)

Then on Thursday, Dale and I very happily met our triplet grand daughter!
(We still look forward to meeting the other two soon when they are released from NICU.)

Today, I enjoyed seeing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the big screen!

It has been one fun-filled week! :o)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

I had been waiting for months in anticipation.  Thanks to “TCM Big Screen Classics”,
Willy Wonka was showing on the big screen!  I used to watch the fun and colorful fantasy film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with my children when they were young. I still chuckle at this movie’s quirky humor and smile at its entertaining story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My email invitation to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

As an elementary school teacher and parent/elementary homeschool parent, I have read the book that this movie was based on many times: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl. Written in 1964, I first became familiar with this novel in my elementary years, read aloud by my own school teacher to my eager class.

Photo thanks to kena1956 of Ebay.
Want this copy? Click here.

Arriving at the theater, I was happily greeted by a fellow resplendent in Willy Wonka attire.  (See photo at the top of the page.)  Immediately transported into Wonka’s world of chocolate fantasy,  I was more anxious than ever to make my way to the theatre!  :o)

Happy to be at the showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Entering theater #8, a jovial group awaited me.  Among the happy group, sat one upbeat woman dressed in Oompa-Loompa apparel, and another woman with Golden Ticket in hand. (The Golden Ticket Lady informed me that a Maryland woman, Diana Sowle, had played Charile’s mother, Mrs. Bucket!)

This smiling Oompa-Loompa was very eager for the film to begin.

I want a golden ticket…

Watching this film on the big screen was such a treat! Although, I own the dvd and have watched it many times, seeing it in the theatre was a new experience, with new detail.
(I saw for the first time Slugworth candy displayed in the candy shop.)

My DVD copy of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Ben Mankiewicz introduced our movie. Always a wealth of information, he explained that when this film first came out in theaters, it was considered a failure.
TV gave this movie a new life.  

I was all smiles as the film began! :o) For some reason I also wanted chocolate!  :o)

The magical scene in the Wonka chocolate factory is such a delight.
I remember that the first time that I saw this film, I did not understand what type of candy the giant bears represented.
Gummi bears were not a common American candy at the time.

Did you know that the actors did not see this set until the filming of this scene?
The astonished and delighted looks on their faces in the movie are authentic.

The candy making Oompa-Loompas!

Seeing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was so enjoyable. I thank my hubby, Dale, for indulging me! :o)

A couple more random facts about the making of this movie.-
*The chocolate river in the factory was really made out of chocolate!
*The movie was made in Germany, and the outside shots of the factory were actually that of a gasworks.

For more Willy Wonka movie facts and tidbits, click here, here, here, and here.

Although I do not own a factory like Willy Wonka, I do have a favorite recipe for my deliciously simple chocolate peanut clusters!  Click here for the recipe.

One of my favorite candy creations is Peanut Clusters.  For the recipe, click here.

Lebron and the Cavaliers

While Willy Wonka was king of the candy world, Lebron James holds the title  of king in the basketball world!  Clutching the “golden ticket”/trophy for Cleveland, James and his team mates put an end to the city’s 52-year championship drought.

My youngest son, Chandler, watches as Lebron clutches the championship trophy.
June 19, 2016

Three days later was the city’s celebration and parade.  Through the miracle of the internet and Fox8.com, I was able to experience the joy of Cleveland’s victory parade at my home in Maryland.

A beautiful aerial shot of Cleveland during the parade.  Note the center of the photo where all the people are gathered, and the Terminal Tower , the tall pointed building next to them.
Photos taken while watching via Fox8.com on my computer.

Lebron James celebrates with Cleveland at the Championship Parade.
1.3 million people gathered for the Cleveland Cavalier victory parade,
plus many more online. (Me included!)
June 22, 1016
Photos taken while watching via Fox8.com.

Having been married for 38 years to Dale, a Clevelander born and bred, (His grandfather helped build the Terminal Tower!) I, too, have become one of them.  Living in NE Ohio for seven years only strengthened that bond. My four children were all brought up staunch Cleveland fans, as well.:o)

              Dale and me, with two of our children at a Cleveland Browns-NY Jets game.
December 2007

It is intangible, something that those elsewhere in the country may not understand. Many,  more elequent than myself, have tried to explain it.  Hollywood has based movies on it: Major League and Draft Day to name a few.  ESPN spoke of it just earlier this year on their  ESPN Films: 30 for 30, Believeland.  But it really is more than a game. It is the city/Cleveland, NE Ohio, pride.  Just believe me! Way to go Cavs!!!!!

I love this photo of a confetti-filled downtown Cleveland in front of the Lebron sign.

Thank you to gvartwork.com for permission to use this photo.
GVartwork makes great quality Cleveland tee shirts.
(No, they are not paying me to say this!) I have bought many for my family!

Thanks for reading!

Annette

Note-Due to a technical error (more accurately, mine), many of the photos from past blog posts were accidently deleted several months ago. I have been working to replace them, and most are now back in place. If you wish to view my past blogs and photos, click here, or go to imannette.net .

I attempt to post my blog once per month. My next post will be around, July 20.

Thank you to all of my blog followers!!!
I appreciate you!!!
It is  your encouragement that keeps me writing! :o)

To become an “I’m Annette” blog follower, and receive “I’m Annette”via email,
FREE, immediately upon my postings.
Sign up on the right-hand side of this page, or click here.

Isn’t this Etch A Sketch art amazing?
Read more about George Vlosich III’s talent here.
Again, thank you to GVart!