Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Story

After Commander Caractacus Pott buys the only existing “Paragon Panther” motor-car, he renovates it and names it “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” after the loud banging sound the engine makes when it starts. The car takes on a will of its own and takes the Pott’s family on a quest to capture a band of gangsters.

Why we chose it

The magical flying car has delighted readers and audiences for over 50 years, as a book, a film and a musical.

Where it came from

Ian Fleming was the author of the original James Bond spy stories. He wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang later in life while recovering from a heart attack. He was banned a type writer so instead of working on a James Bond novel he wrote out by hand stories about a magical car based on those he had once made up for his son Caspar. The car itself was based on two cars: Fleming’s own Standard Tourer and a Mercedes raced by Count Louis Zborowski.

Fleming died in 1964 and the book was published later with illustrations by John Burningham.

Where it went next

The book was adapted into a 1968 film, directed by Ken Hughes. Roald Dahl worked on the screenplay and the film was produced by Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, producer of the James Bond films. Music was by the Sherman brother and the memorable title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was nominated for an Academy Award. In 2002, the film was adapted for the stage. The musical was a great success in London and on Broadway and brought the story – and the song – to a new generation.

Associated stories

In 2011, 2012 and 2013 Frank Cottrell-Boyce released three sequels to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang entitled Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Flies Again, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Race Against Time, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon.