Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

 

In Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, inventor Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke) rebuilds a wrecked racing car that his children Jeremy (Adrian Hall) and Jemima (Heather Ripley) are fond of.  The car is named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang because of the sounds it makes. The Potts meet Truly Scrumptious (Sally Anne Howes) when she brings the children home after they skip school.  Truly's father, Lord Scrumptuous (James Robertson), is the owner of a candy factory.  She goes with the Potts on a beach picnic, where Caractacus tells the story of how Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe), the tyrant who rules the fictional country of Vulgaria, wants to steal Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  With the help of  the local toymaker (Benny Hill), the Potts and Truly prevent Baron Bomburst from keeping Chitty.

It turns out that Lord Scrumptuous and Caractacus's father, Grandpa Potts (Lionel Jeffries), know each other.  Lord Scrumptuous offers to buy some candy Caractacus has invented to market as dog treats, which means Caractacus is going to be rich.  He proposes to Truly and they drive off in Chitty.

I was reminded when I rewatched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang what a delightful movie this is.  Part of the reason is because of Dick Van Dyke; all of his work is enjoyable.  The portrayals of the other characters are engaging also.  Other elements of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's appeal include the story being imaginative and the positive theme of a father spending time with his children.  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the kind of movie that you can watch many times without getting tired of it.