Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (movie) facts for kids

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a super fun 1968 British musical film. It's based on the book Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming, who also created James Bond. The story for the movie was written by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes. All the catchy songs were created by the amazing Sherman Brothers. You might know them from other Disney movies! The main song, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," was even nominated for an Academy Award.

The movie stars Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts, a clever inventor. Sally Ann Howes plays Truly Scrumptious, a kind and adventurous lady. Lionel Jeffries is Grandpa Potts, and Robert Helpmann plays the spooky Childcatcher. The film was directed by Ken Hughes. It was produced by Albert R. Broccoli, who also helped make the James Bond films. John Stears worked on the cool special effects.

Meet the Characters

Caractacus Potts and His Family

Caractacus Potts is a quirky inventor. He lives with his two children, Jemima and Jeremy, and his eccentric Grandpa Potts. They are a loving family, but they don't have much money.

One day, Caractacus buys an old, broken-down racing car. He fixes it up, and it becomes a magical car named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! This car can do amazing things, like float on water and even fly.

Truly Scrumptious

Truly Scrumptious is a sweet factory owner's daughter. She meets the Potts family and joins them on their adventures. She quickly becomes a friend to Jemima and Jeremy.

Baron Bomburst: The Toy-Loving Villain

Baron Bomburst is the main bad guy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He is the ruler of a faraway land called Vulgaria. He loves toys more than anything, but he is also very mean and selfish. He wants Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for himself because it's a unique and magical "toy."

Baron Bomburst is played by Gert Fröbe. He also played the villain Goldfinger in a James Bond movie!

Baroness Bomburst

The Baroness Bomburst is the Baron's wife. She is also a bit mean, especially towards children. She helps her husband in his plans, but sometimes she can be quite silly. The Baroness was a new character created just for the movie by writer Roald Dahl. She was played by Anna Quayle.

The Childcatcher

The Childcatcher is one of the most memorable and scary characters in the film. He works for Baron and Baroness Bomburst. His job is to find and capture all the children in Vulgaria because the Baroness doesn't like them. He uses a giant net and a special cage-wagon to catch kids.

The Story of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Potts family, along with Truly Scrumptious, go on many adventures in their magical car. During one picnic, Baron Bomburst tries to steal Chitty. He sees that the car can float on water and wants it even more!

When Chitty escapes, the Baron sends his men to kidnap Grandpa Potts. He thinks Grandpa is the inventor of the magical car. Grandpa is taken to Vulgaria, where he is forced to try and build another Chitty for the Baron.

Adventures in Vulgaria

Caractacus, Truly, Jemima, and Jeremy follow the Baron's airship to Vulgaria. They discover that in Vulgaria, children are not allowed! The Baroness has made it illegal for kids to be seen. All the children are hidden away.

The Baron is very greedy. All the toys made by Vulgaria's toymaker are just for him. He doesn't share them with anyone.

The Big Battle

The Potts family and Truly team up with the hidden children of Vulgaria and the kind Toymaker. They plan a big rescue mission at the Baron's castle. A huge battle happens, and the children bravely fight back against the Baron's guards.

Baron and Baroness Bomburst try to hide, but they are eventually caught. They end up trapped in the Childcatcher's own cage-car! With the Baron and Baroness defeated, Vulgaria becomes a free country again, and children can play openly.

Who's in the Movie?

Here are some of the main actors and their characters:

• Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts
• Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious
• Adrian Hall as Jeremy Potts
• Heather Ripley as Jemima Potts
• Lionel Jeffries as Grandpa Potts
• Gert Fröbe as Baron Bomburst
• Anna Quayle as Baroness Bomburst
• Benny Hill as the Toymaker
• James Robertson Justice as Lord Scrumptious
• Robert Helpmann as the Child Catcher
• Barbara Windsor as Blonde

Catchy Songs from the Film

The movie is famous for its wonderful songs! Here are some of them:

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• Truly Scrumptious
• Hushabye Mountain
• Me Ol' Bamboo
• Toot Sweets
• The Roses of Success
• Lovely Lonely Man
• You Two
• Chu-Chi Face
• Posh!
• Doll on a Music Box
• Come to the Funfair

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in some beautiful and interesting places:

• The outside of the Scrumptious Sweet Co. factory was filmed at Kempton Waterworks in England.
• The grand Scrumptious Mansion was filmed at Pinewood Studios.
• The charming Windmill/Cottage was filmed at Cobstone Windmill in England.
• The beach scenes were filmed in St. Tropez, France.
• Baron Bomburst's castle was actually Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany – it looks like a fairy tale castle!
• The Vulgarian village scenes were filmed in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

What Did People Think?

The film was quite popular when it came out. Film critic Roger Ebert said it was "about the best two-hour children's movie you could hope for." He loved the magical car, the adventures, and the funny characters.

However, some people, like film historian Leonard Maltin, thought the music wasn't very memorable. The Child Catcher character was even called one of the "50 Most Vile Movie Villains" by Entertainment Weekly because he was so creepy!