I don't know how many children under 6 have watched the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or for that matter how many adults under 40 have watched the 1968 British classic.
However, I do know that even though the move is a bit lengthy and dated in places, it stands as one of my favorite family movies of all time.
I bought the movie on DVD about 2 years ago when my son turned 4. I knew he loved transporation and cars, and I vaguely remembered the movie from my childhood. I was looking for something more sophisticated than Dora, Diego and the typical early childhood cartoons, a movie that an adult could enjoy as much as a child.
A few weeks ago, we decided to have a family movie night for no particular reason. It was a Saturday night, and for one weekend, we didn't have any plans -- no birthday parties, no visits, no excursions away from home. My husband Alex prepared some crispy Mexican fried snacks, I brought out the tortilla chips and the hot sauce, and we turned off the lights and kicked our feet up on the sectional sofa.
After we watched the movie, and I sent the kids off to bed, I compiled 10 reasons why Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of my top 10 favorite family movies:
1. The British accents -- Words like "presumptious" and "posh" roll off the tongue like honey on a long spoon. When Jeremy or Jemimah say "Daddy" or "Truly" in a British accent, it is quite simply irresistible.
2. Manners and respect in everyday life - In English society, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, it was considered decent for most everyday people to use polite language like "pardon me" and "thank you, sir." Perhaps it's a bit dated for American society, but it's a refreshing change from the street language in our neighborhood urban park!
3. Using your imagination to overcome any hardship placed before you -- The father, Caractacus Potts, played by Dick Van Dyke, is a widowed inventor who uses his wit, brains and imagination to concoct his unique contraptions, all the while embracing non-traditional values when it comes to the education of his children. He advocates always speaking one's mind and following one's dreams and ideas, despite the obstacles.
He becomes a hero, leading the child prisoners to revolt in overthrowing the pompous, self-indulgent Baron Bomburst of Vulgaria.
4. The triumph of the spirit of childhood and the imagination over traditional social mores and propriety -- Basically Caractacus Potts is a child at heart, and through love, play and enthusiasm always helps to make everything turn out all right.
5. The humor -- The Vulgarian spies make such jokes as, "My name starts with x as in aches and pains." There's lots of slapstick comedy, plays on words, witty dialoge and humorous songs. Benny Hill even makes an appearance.
6. The perfection of the genre of movie musical -- The mark of success of a movie musical is the ease with which characters can break out into song and dance at opportune moments. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" has so many memorable songs -- besides the theme song, there's "You Two," "Truly Scrumptious," and "Toot Sweets."
7. The belief that love conquers all and good wins out over evil with imagination, faith and determination. The lyrics from the song "Hushabye Mountain" say it all. The song is sung to the Jeremiah and Jeremy Potts, as well as to the children imprisoned in a cave in Vulgaria.
A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting--
Waiting to sail your worries away.
8. Setting the trend for movies to come -- The movie is referenced in the animated moive "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," in which a Nazi-like character, similar to the Baron's candy-luring, carriage-toting henchman, takes all the toys away because he despises children so. The last scene in the movie, in which Caractacus Potts and Truly Scrumptious fly away in the beloved auto Chitty Chitty Bang Bang without the wings, is referred to in the final scene in the movie "Grease", when the Thunderbird flies away with Danny and Sandy waving goodbye.
9. Dick Van Dyke -- He's obviously one of the greatest comic and musical actors of all time. Period.10. Teamwork -- Caractacus, Truly and the children work together as a team to champion freedom in Vulgaria and assist in good overcoming evil.
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." A classic. If it's your first time or not -- watch it, and enjoy!
