The Special Collections Research Center is pleased to announce a new exhibit, Quaker Oats Makes a Movie: A Scrumdiddlyumptious Wonka Adventure. This exhibit, curated by students in Matthew Solomon's SAC 335 class, explores the production of the film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and Quaker Oats's unexpected involvement in the film industry. As they prepared to launch a new line of Wonka candy, the company saw the movie as a unique marketing opportunity, essentially creating a 90-minute commercial for their products. The exhibit tells the story of the successes and failures of this one-time foray into the movie business, including elaborate promotional plans, on-set accidents, and adoring fan letters.
The exhibit is in our gallery space on the 6th floor of Hatcher Graduate Library (South), adjacent to the Reading Room. It will remain on view through July 20. On Friday, April 20, we invite you to join us for an informal reception with the student curators from 4-5pm.