In December 2018, enduring family favourite ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The story of the magical flying car was brought to the screen by ‘James Bond’ producer Albert R. Broccoli. When securing the rights to Ian Flemings Bond novels the producer also acquired a series of short stories Fleming had written for his son about the Potts family’s automobile adventures.

Roald Dahl, who had already successfully adapted Flemings work for the big screen the previous year with the script for fifth Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’ shared screenwriting duties with director Ken Hughes. Their script differed vastly from Flemings original stories. Gone were the group of gangsters and their thwarted robbery attempts and in came an entirely new story of the Potts family’s journey to the fictional land of Vulgaria to free its children imprisoned by Baron Bomburst and save them from the clutches of the evil Child Catcher. 

‘Mary Poppins’ had been a huge global hit 4 years earlier and looking to emulate the success of the Disney film, Broccoli wanted to reunite its two stars for a brand new fantasy musical. Julie Andrews declined and the role of Truly Scrumptious was taken by Sally Ann Howes. Dick Van Dyke, after repeatedly turning down the role, was eventually persuaded to play the part of eccentric Edwardian inventor, Caractacus Potts.

A major coup for the producers was securing the talents of ‘Mary Poppins’ songwriters, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. With its memorable title song amongst many popular others and Ken Adams classic car design, the adventures of the fantasmagorical car were later adapted into a long running and highly successful stage show.

The screen version will doubtless continue to delight audiences for another 50 years and more.