"Spitting is a disgusting habit!"(while digging for gold in her nostrils) - Violet Beauregard 

One of the highlights of the Hollywood Collector Show at the Burbank Marriott was meeting all of the child actors who were in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (more on that cast later) and Wonka are absolutely my favorite kids movies. 

I was super excited to meet each of the Wonka kids and have them write one of their characters quotes on individual custom shots that I made, in addition to purchasing the entire cast photo signed by all. 

They were all pleasant and here's what I recall of my interaction with each (in order of elimination in the film): 

MICHAEL BOLLNER - Augustus Gloop was quiet and a bit shy – “Let me in, I’m starving!” 

DENISE NICKERSON - Violet Beauregard was SUPER high energy, thoroughly enjoying the fan love to the max! And so much fun to talk to, on a person-to-person level. Asking questions about me, making lots of jokes, 100% a people person! – “Mmmm, it’s the most wonderful blueberry pie I’ve ever tasted!” 

JULIE DAWN COLE - Veruca Salt was lovely, laughing and chatty – “I want an Oompa Loompa now!”  Here’s Julie Dawn/Veruca singing and the Oompa Loompa’s saying “What do you get when you’re child’s a brat …” (parent’s fault, just like today … UMMM) 

PARIS THEMMEN - Mike Teeveee was a grown-up version of...Mike Teevee!!  Self-assured, talking up his fans, upselling merch, splitting attention between people at his table. He was interesting to watch in action. - “Can’t you shut up? I’m busy! Boy, what a great show!” 

PETER OSTRUM - Charlie Bucket was such a gentle, calm and unassuming man. It is no wonder that Willy Wonka was his only movie role, and he became a veterinarian. Quiet, yet engaging - it seriously makes so much sense that he would prefer animals to acting, and that animals would be so comfortable around him. – “I’ve got a golden ticket!” 

All in all, it was a super rush to go down the line and meet all of them. A little bit away from the grown-up child actors, a cute familiar-looking elderly lady sat at a table by herself.  It was DIANA SOWLE - Mrs. Bucket.  I spent more time talking to her than almost any of the other cast except for Denise Nickerson. She was so super sweet and ultra grateful to be there and touched by fan love.  It was like chatting with my grandmother; she was just wonderful. - “Cheer up Charlie”.  Heartwarming … remember with a listen:

That was a great day in Burbank! 

The only GENE WILDER autograph that I have in my collection was gotten through the mail when he was sending out these preprints for autograph requests. Of course, you can try to buy one on eBay, but they are overpriced and flooded with forgeries.  

I don't have Jack Albertson's autograph either. But of the cast, the two autographs that I would most like to have, are the impossible-to-find Mr. Slugworth (Gunter Meister) and Mike TeeVee's hilarious mother, Nora Denney.  Her expression and delivery of "Somebody's touching me!" when all the kids and their parents are in the elevator, ALWAYS kills me. 

"The snozzberries taste like snozzberries" (Did you know that’s a hidden perversion/dirty joke in a kid’s movie?!?! Google what author Roald Dahl was referring to...) 

Here’s my montage tribute to Willie Wonka! 

Addendum:  I just recently added Grandpa Joe to my collection.  I found this great Jack Albertson autograph on eBay, was confident on its authenticity and bought it.  Turns out that one of my sister’s friends since high school had sold me the picture, since he sells things on consignment.  Literally within an hour of purchasing, my sister texts me “Did you buy an autograph today?”  Which is kinda like asking me, did you piss today?  It’s humorous that Willy Wonka is often quoted between my sister and me, and that I should randomly buy a photo from a friend of hers.  It’s a small world after all.  “Someone’s touching me!!” 

Let’s not forget the Candy Man who gave Willie the winning Wonka bar! 

And Sammy Davis Jr. made it a #1 Song 

But the song wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Joan Collin’s ex-husband, Anthony Newley – a brilliant songwriter who also wrote…