Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Production Records, 1969-1972

Summary

Creator:

Newman, Robert V, Wolper Pictures (Firm), and Quaker Oats Company

Abstract:

The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Production Records consist of the production, promotion, correspondence, and other related material regarding the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Directed by Mel Stuart, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was produced by Wolper Pictures and financed by Quaker Oats. Quaker had been motivated by the intention to introduce a new candy bar and saw the film as a way to promote their newly imagined Wonka Bars. Paramount Pictures signed on as the distributor and this collection's creator and donator, Robert Newman acted as liaison between Wolper, Quaker and Paramount.

Extent:

1 Linear Foot
1 record box

Authors:

Finding aid created by Megan Pauly, 2021. Finding aid was edited by John Bergstrom using ArchivesSpace, 31 March 2025.

Background

Scope and Content:

The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Production Records are sorted into five series: Correspondence, Business and Financial, Production, Post-Production, and Promotion. Some of these series contain subseries, which will be elaborated upon in the respective Series level notes.

The "Correspondence" series consists of correspondence regarding general business affairs, any fan mail or letters sent about the movie, and correspondence to and about Roald Dahl. Any undated material is placed at the beginning of the subseries. Most correspondence in any series is in the format of telex, however there are also typewritten and handwritten letters included as well.

The "Business and Financial" series includes legal documents regarding the rights to the film, as well as the contractual agreements between various parties, especially Roald Dahl. This series also contains relevant financial documents such as invoices and budgets.

The "Production" series contains reports, schedules, and correspondence regarding the filming of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (dir. Mel Stuart, 1972).

The "Promotion" series mainly consists of correspondence throughout the film's production regarding potential promotion and publicity, including merchandising and Quaker Oats' "Wonka Bar" candy.

Biographical / Historical:

Note content adapted from collection materials.

In an effort to promote and sell their "Wonka Bar" candy (discontinued), Quaker Oats entered into an agreement to finance the production of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (dir. Mel Stuart, 1972), based off of the the children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Throughout the production, much of the communication between Quaker Oats, Paramount (the film's distributor), and David L. Wolper (one of the film's producers) had been facilitated by Robert Newman. Principal photography on the film lasted for 66 days, wrapping on November 30, 1970--daily reports tracking scenes, expenses, and other relevant details, had been created and maintained by Wolper Productions; all of these reports are housed within the collection materials.

Acquisition Information:

Purchase, 2017

Processing information:

Initial processing included rehousing materials and the creation of several series, some of which have been combined in the most recent arrangement of this collection.

Processed by Megan Pauly, 2021. Arrangement updated by John Bergstrom and Katie Jones, March 2025.

Arrangement:

The records are arranged by their respective series, which consist of: Correspondence, Business and Financial, Production, Post-Production, and Promotion.

Rules or Conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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Subjects:

Motion Pictures
Motion Pictures -- Production and direction
Children's literature -- Film adaptations

Names:

Dahl, Roald (1916-1990)