Caractacus Potts
Encyclopedia
Caractacus Potts is one of the main characters in the family film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
. He is an eccentric inventor who lives with his twin eight-year-old children, Jeremy & Jemima, and Grandpa Potts, on the Potts' hilltop farm. His last name is altered from "Pott" in the children's book by Ian Fleming
on which the film was loosely based.
Caractacus is an inventor who sells a candy invention, Toot Sweets, to candy magnate Lord Scrumptious. He later turns an old racing car (originally named the "Paragon Panther") into the flying, floating motor-car of the title. He is named after a British chieftain who fought against the Romans
under the emperor Claudius
. The name "Caractacus Pott(s)" is also similar to "crackpot", a derogatory term for someone who is eccentric, particularly a scientist or inventor.
, which is reflective of Fleming's own history as well as that of Fleming's James Bond
character.
, altered a good deal of the book's details when crafting the 1968 film musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
, in which Potts is portrayed by Dick Van Dyke
. For example, it was felt that a burgeoning romance would serve the story better, and so the character of Mimsie was written out of the story. Caractacus' film character was written as a widower who develops a romantic relationship with Truly Scrumptious
, the daughter of the candy magnate. The film also did not carry over the Naval Commander part of his life and there is no hint of it in any of the set design, dialogue or behavior. Potts' other inventions as seen in the film were designed and created by the craftsman Roland Emett, and have been on display at Mid-America Science Museum
for many years.
A stage musical
based on the film premiered in London's West End
in 2002, with Caractacus Potts played by Michael Ball
. In the 2005 Broadway theatre
production, Raúl Esparza
played the role.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (film)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a 1968 musical film with a script by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes, and songs by the Sherman Brothers, loosely based on Ian Fleming's novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car. It starred Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts and Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious. The...
. He is an eccentric inventor who lives with his twin eight-year-old children, Jeremy & Jemima, and Grandpa Potts, on the Potts' hilltop farm. His last name is altered from "Pott" in the children's book by Ian Fleming
Ian Fleming
Ian Lancaster Fleming was a British author, journalist and Naval Intelligence Officer.Fleming is best known for creating the fictional British spy James Bond and for a series of twelve novels and nine short stories about the character, one of the biggest-selling series of fictional books of...
on which the film was loosely based.
Caractacus is an inventor who sells a candy invention, Toot Sweets, to candy magnate Lord Scrumptious. He later turns an old racing car (originally named the "Paragon Panther") into the flying, floating motor-car of the title. He is named after a British chieftain who fought against the Romans
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
under the emperor Claudius
Claudius
Claudius , was Roman Emperor from 41 to 54. A member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, he was the son of Drusus and Antonia Minor. He was born at Lugdunum in Gaul and was the first Roman Emperor to be born outside Italy...
. The name "Caractacus Pott(s)" is also similar to "crackpot", a derogatory term for someone who is eccentric, particularly a scientist or inventor.
Caractacus Pott of the book
In the original 1964 book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car, Caractacus Pott's wife and the mother of his children is alive and a part of the story; her name is Mimsie. Caractacus is a Commander in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, which is reflective of Fleming's own history as well as that of Fleming's James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
character.
Caractacus Potts of the film
The filmmakers, including screenwriter Roald DahlRoald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
, altered a good deal of the book's details when crafting the 1968 film musical version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (film)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a 1968 musical film with a script by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes, and songs by the Sherman Brothers, loosely based on Ian Fleming's novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car. It starred Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts and Sally Ann Howes as Truly Scrumptious. The...
, in which Potts is portrayed by Dick Van Dyke
Dick Van Dyke
Richard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
. For example, it was felt that a burgeoning romance would serve the story better, and so the character of Mimsie was written out of the story. Caractacus' film character was written as a widower who develops a romantic relationship with Truly Scrumptious
Truly Scrumptious
Truly Scrumptious is a fictional character in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, based on the children's novel of the same name by Ian Fleming.She does not appear in the book. In the film the character is portrayed by singer/actress Sally Ann Howes....
, the daughter of the candy magnate. The film also did not carry over the Naval Commander part of his life and there is no hint of it in any of the set design, dialogue or behavior. Potts' other inventions as seen in the film were designed and created by the craftsman Roland Emett, and have been on display at Mid-America Science Museum
Mid-America Science Museum
Mid-America Science Museum is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It has many permanent exhibits that have been there since the early 1980s, such as a "ball machine" that hits billiard balls all around an elaborate track, and traveling exhibits. It also features a laser light and music show...
for many years.
A stage musical
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also known as Chitty the Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1968 film produced by Cubby Broccoli. The music and lyrics were written by Richard and Robert Sherman with book by Jeremy Sams.-Productions:...
based on the film premiered in London's West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in 2002, with Caractacus Potts played by Michael Ball
Michael Ball (singer)
Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
. In the 2005 Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production, Raúl Esparza
Raúl Esparza
Raúl Eduardo Esparza is an American stage actor, singer, and voice artist noted for his award winning performances in Broadway shows...
played the role.