April 1, 2008
Being immersed in chocolate is what the 1971 movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, is all about. Beth Kimmerle, author of Chocolate: The Sweet History, has a favorite chocolaty scene from that movie: “Augustus Gloop [played by Michael Bollner] tries to drink from the chocolate river, and falls in. He's one of the first kids to go down,” she adds.
Based on a children's book by Roald Dahl, the film stars Gene Wilder as an eccentric chocolate factory owner. The lucky kids who win a sweepstakes are invited to tour Willy Wonka's candy factory and collect a lifetime supply of chocolate. Despite this delicious incentive, most of them still misbehave and are reprimanded in song by the magical Oompa Loompas before getting kicked off the tour. The last one standing is well-mannered Charlie, played by Peter Ostrum, who is accompanied his grandfather, played by Jack Albertson.
Finding oneself surrounded by chocolate may be the favorite fantasy of lots of folks (chocolate is said to be America's favorite flavor), but not the way that gluttonous Augustus does it. However, seeing Augustus Gloop floating in a river of chocolate has inspired author Beth Kimmerle to share recipes, such as two ideas for drinkable chocolate, from her book. While most people think of drinking hot chocolate, Augustus Gloop drinks a cool version, right out of the river. Kimmerle offers a variation on that theme — the chilled Chocolate Slushy made with bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, milk, ice and a whipped cream garnish.
To hear Beth Kimmerle and Gail Bellamy talk about this movie, and for chocolate drink recipes, visit www.rhflicks.com and click on the podcast icon.
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