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.
OnDoutside
(19,952 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)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).
Link to tweet
TEXT
@Joancollinsdbe
I cant 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, hell 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
OnDoutside
(19,952 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)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".
Delphinus
(11,830 posts)Wow! He looks great! (As does she.)
oasis
(49,370 posts)Side note: Amazed to see, Joan Collins, one of my all time favorites, still going strong.
Paladin
(28,246 posts)Coventina
(27,093 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)the theme was pretty dark but prescient, teasing out many of the negative traits of human nature.
Coventina
(27,093 posts)For kids?
I found it deeply disturbing as a kid and I still find it deeply disturbing.
BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)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".
Coventina
(27,093 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)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)Three children died in the 2017 Broadway play, but not in the 1971 movie.
AngryOldDem
(14,061 posts)Goldfinger is the best.
soldierant
(6,846 posts)"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.
LudwigPastorius
(9,130 posts)His "Who Can I Turn To?", done piano trio style...
BumRushDaShow
(128,750 posts)That's a great cover of that song. Transported me into a little (fantasy) club listening to it live.
Thank you!