I saw the Wilder/Wonka movie when I was 10 or 11. My reaction: I found Wonka mesmerizing AND repellent. This was buried down under the spell the movie obviously cast - since I was a kid and manipulatable.
From the Wizard of OZ on, we've learned of the really abhorrent abuse child actors suffer.
It's a business, show business is - and the money needs to control all the variables they can. Children pressed into this golden servitude are hard to control. But once "they" have them where they want them, all sorts of corrupt and sordid things will occur.
Haley - I enjoyed reading this article. Unlike many kids of my generation, I never really watched Nickelodeon as we only had a couple of TV channels in the rural area where I lived. It does not surprise me regarding the systemic abuse that took place.
I do love the original Wonka movie, though. Wilder's performance is magnificent. I don't think the remakes have ever quite captured it in the same way.
I think it is quite sad that those in positions of power have abused their authority to manipulate and take advantage of children. I think that parents have some culpability as well because it seems that some parents get their kids into show business for the fame and fortune without consideration for the impact of the industry on their children.
Thanks for writing and sharing this gorgeous essay! I had never thought to put Gene Wilder's performance into this conversation, but it's so applicable and really provides a new way for understanding the Nickelodeon revelations.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is very dark when you look back on it as an adult. Like the practical jokes played on NickTV's child stars, the fates that befall the other ticket winners really are so cruel — though they are presented to children as, if not something to delight in (because they bring our hero, Charlie, closer to the goal; they show us Charlie's virtue, his unadulterated goodness) then at the very least big set pieces that we're meant to remember.
On a different note, I'm in the early stages of writing a novel about an ex-elite athlete damaged by her relationship with her domineering coach — different scenario, but your essay helped me think through the nuances and stakes in these relationships between powerful adults who promise children and their parents the whole world, in exchange for total fealty. Thank you!
Quite brilliant observations. Thank you.
I saw the Wilder/Wonka movie when I was 10 or 11. My reaction: I found Wonka mesmerizing AND repellent. This was buried down under the spell the movie obviously cast - since I was a kid and manipulatable.
From the Wizard of OZ on, we've learned of the really abhorrent abuse child actors suffer.
It's a business, show business is - and the money needs to control all the variables they can. Children pressed into this golden servitude are hard to control. But once "they" have them where they want them, all sorts of corrupt and sordid things will occur.
Haley - I enjoyed reading this article. Unlike many kids of my generation, I never really watched Nickelodeon as we only had a couple of TV channels in the rural area where I lived. It does not surprise me regarding the systemic abuse that took place.
I do love the original Wonka movie, though. Wilder's performance is magnificent. I don't think the remakes have ever quite captured it in the same way.
I think it is quite sad that those in positions of power have abused their authority to manipulate and take advantage of children. I think that parents have some culpability as well because it seems that some parents get their kids into show business for the fame and fortune without consideration for the impact of the industry on their children.
Thanks for writing and sharing this gorgeous essay! I had never thought to put Gene Wilder's performance into this conversation, but it's so applicable and really provides a new way for understanding the Nickelodeon revelations.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is very dark when you look back on it as an adult. Like the practical jokes played on NickTV's child stars, the fates that befall the other ticket winners really are so cruel — though they are presented to children as, if not something to delight in (because they bring our hero, Charlie, closer to the goal; they show us Charlie's virtue, his unadulterated goodness) then at the very least big set pieces that we're meant to remember.
On a different note, I'm in the early stages of writing a novel about an ex-elite athlete damaged by her relationship with her domineering coach — different scenario, but your essay helped me think through the nuances and stakes in these relationships between powerful adults who promise children and their parents the whole world, in exchange for total fealty. Thank you!