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BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 05:08 AM Oct 2021

Willy Wonka Songwriter Leslie Bricusse Dead at 90, Joan Collins Pays Tribute

Source: Yahoo! News

Leslie Bricusse, the two-time Academy Award-winning songwriter and lyricist, has died. The Hollywood veteran, whose credits include Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Doctor Dolittle, was 90 years old. Bricusse's death was announced via Instagram on Tuesday by his son, Adam, who shared a gallery of photos of his father. A cause of death was not revealed."My Dearest Father, passed away peacefully this morning.... Please raise a glass for him," Adam wrote alongside the photos.

The younger Bricusse also included lyrics from the famous 1964 song "Feeling Good," which was penned by his father: "Sleep in peace when the day is done ... And I'm feeling good." Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Nina Simone, George Michael and Michael Bublé. Actress and author Joan Collins also paid tribute to Bricusse by sharing a message on her Facebook account.

Collins, a close friend of Bricusse, was previously married to his songwriting partner, Anthony Newley. "One the giant songwriters of our time, writer of #candyman #goldfinger amongst so many other hits, and my great friend Leslie Bricusse has sadly died today," wrote Collins. "He and his beautiful Evie have been in my life for over 50 years. I will miss him terribly, as will his many friends."

Among his many credits and collaborations, Bricusse wrote or co-wrote classic songs, including the 1964 Shirley Bassey hit "Goldfinger," as well as two Sammy Davis Jr. songs: "The Candy Man" from 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and "What Kind Of Fool Am I?" from 1961's Broadway musical Stop the World – I Want to Get Off.Bricusse, a nine-time Oscar nominee, won his first Academy Award for 1967's "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle starring Rex Harrison. He took home his second for co-writing the score to 1982's Victor/Victoria alongside Henry Mancini.

Read more: https://nz.news.yahoo.com/willy-wonka-songwriter-leslie-bricusse-022319361.html



Just heard this on the radio this morning. What a portfolio of iconic songs that he wrote/composed.

R.I.P.
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Willy Wonka Songwriter Leslie Bricusse Dead at 90, Joan Collins Pays Tribute (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 OP
Joan Collins is still alive ? Wow, she's timeless. OnDoutside Oct 2021 #1
Yeah that was surprising to me too BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #2
She's looking great for 88, if not a little Barbara Cartland-ish ! Jackie passed in 2015. OnDoutside Oct 2021 #3
I had recently seen an old pic of her and Sophia Loren BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #4
He is 90?! Delphinus Oct 2021 #14
Loved his tunes. Rest in peace Leslie. oasis Oct 2021 #5
Bricusse was one of the all-time great ones. RIP. (nt) Paladin Oct 2021 #6
I have never understood the appeal of that movie. n/t Coventina Oct 2021 #7
Aside from those who are Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson fans BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #8
I get that the kids were brats and bullies, but the death penalty? Really? Coventina Oct 2021 #10
If you look at the old popular (European) fairy tales BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #12
Yes, I'm aware. I still don't think it's OK. n/t Coventina Oct 2021 #13
I don't blame you. BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #15
Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka never killed anyone. LudwigPastorius Oct 2021 #17
Man was talented. AngryOldDem Oct 2021 #9
And "Scrooge." soldierant Oct 2021 #11
R.I.P. LudwigPastorius Oct 2021 #16
Wow! BumRushDaShow Oct 2021 #18

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
2. Yeah that was surprising to me too
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 06:59 AM
Oct 2021

although I think if she had passed, it would have been a big deal.

In fact, she's hawking her latest book (like Shatner has been hawking his latest album).




TEXT

Joan Collins
@Joancollinsdbe
I can’t wait for #ChristopherBiggins to join me at the Bath Pavilion on the 14th Oct and @the_lowry on the 17th Oct to talk about #MyUnapologeticDiaries! Alas, he’ll have to wait until then to find out if he features in them! Get your tickets here: http://fane.co.uk/joan-collins
8:31 AM · Oct 8, 2021

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
4. I had recently seen an old pic of her and Sophia Loren
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 07:15 AM
Oct 2021

another who is still around.

They certainly have the stamina to keep going, although with COVID-19 I am hoping they are keeping that in mind since they like being "out and about".

oasis

(49,370 posts)
5. Loved his tunes. Rest in peace Leslie.
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 09:38 AM
Oct 2021


Side note: Amazed to see, Joan Collins, one of my all time favorites, still going strong.

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
8. Aside from those who are Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson fans
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 10:00 AM
Oct 2021

the theme was pretty dark but prescient, teasing out many of the negative traits of human nature.

Coventina

(27,093 posts)
10. I get that the kids were brats and bullies, but the death penalty? Really?
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 01:57 PM
Oct 2021

For kids?

I found it deeply disturbing as a kid and I still find it deeply disturbing.

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
12. If you look at the old popular (European) fairy tales
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 02:11 PM
Oct 2021

most are pretty gruesome. "Step-sisters" cutting off heels or toes to fit in a pair of "glass slippers" so they could take the hand of a prince, wolves eating grannies and dressing in her clothes to "fool" a little girl to get closer so he could and eventually does, eat her too (in the unexpurgated version), and on and on.

Many of these parables were designed to basically reflect the brutality of the societies from which they emerged.

It wasn't until recently - and I would say the latter half of the 20th century - when children were "coddled".

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
15. I don't blame you.
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 03:47 PM
Oct 2021

That's why most have been "sanitized". But I suppose the underlying theme of Willy Wonka was as a "modern" fairy tale. The movie version that highlights a fantastical candy factory, the songs, and colorful goofy characters, attracts the attention of children. However in reality, it is a very "adult" story.

LudwigPastorius

(9,130 posts)
17. Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka never killed anyone.
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 08:02 PM
Oct 2021

Three children died in the 2017 Broadway play, but not in the 1971 movie.

soldierant

(6,846 posts)
11. And "Scrooge."
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 02:02 PM
Oct 2021

"Thank You Very Much" is one of my favorites. It's perfect for its context ... but it's also too good to be confined to its contex IMO.

BumRushDaShow

(128,750 posts)
18. Wow!
Wed Oct 20, 2021, 08:05 PM
Oct 2021

That's a great cover of that song. Transported me into a little (fantasy) club listening to it live.

Thank you!

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