This Day in History November 23, 1990

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On September 13, 1916, this author was born in Wales.  He was Roald Dahl, and he became one of the best-known children's authors of our time (and he also wrote adult horror stories).  He was a WWII fighter pilot, and his first published work was The Gremlins (which was written for Walt Disney).   He is best-remembered for James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which were both adapted to the big screen.

I could go into much detail about his life, but instead, I will list sites where you can check out his biography.  You are probably wondering about the significance of this day in relation to him.  Well, it was on this day in 1990 when he died of a rare blood disorder.  He was actually busy working on a couple books up till the end.

While I am not a tremendous Roald Dahl fan (he was a little strange for my tastes), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a book I enjoyed as a child.  In fact, I didn't see the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory until I was an adult.  I don't know why, but I figured I wouldn't like it (which is strange since it was a musical).  I often had strange perceptions of what I would and would not like when I was growing up.  I prefer the original film with Gene Wilder, but there are portions I enjoy of the newer film with Johnny Depp.

For more information on Roald Dahl, check out these sites:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-creator-roald-dahl-dies
http://www.biography.com/people/roald-dahl-9264648
http://www.roalddahl.com/



My favorite scene from Johnny Depp's version (I am pretty sick and twisted, but I always liked this!)--only wish I could embed it!
http://youtu.be/ZHrBS27VlS8