“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men,” are words of author Roald Dahl.
Dahl would have been 100 years old September 13, 2016. There are celebrations worldwide for Roald Dahl Day, celebrating the cherished children’s book author.
Best known for favorites like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Danny, the Champion of the World,” “The BFG” and “Matilda,” Dahl expressed variety in his writing. The first piece of writing for which he was paid described his life as a pilot for the British Royal Air Force in World War II.
In 1966, he was approached by producers of James Bond movies. He was asked to write the screenplay for “You Only Live Twice,” the fifth film in the Bond series. Dahl was friends with James Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming from his war days, though Fleming had died two years before Roald started to work on the screenplay. Some of the plot details from that story emerged in Dahl’s later book, “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.” He also wrote the screenplay for “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Dahl declined to be honored by the Queen of England for exceptional public service and achievement.
Dahl’s works have emerged in several movies. The story of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was adapted twice for the screen. The master chocolatier and inventor of the story was played in 1971 by Gene Wilder, who passed away in 2016. In 2005, the same character was played by Johnny Depp. The movie based on Dahl’s book “The BFG” is set to be released in 2016.
“A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it,” Dahl said.
Celebrate Roald Dahl Day with a party pack from the author’s website. A percentage of income from Dahl’s works benefit charitable partners, including specialist children’s nurses, grants for families in need and educational outreach programs.
