Opened: December 18, 1968

Directed by: Ken Hughes

Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Adrian Hall, Heather Ripley, Lionel Jeffries, Gert Fröbe, Anna Quayle, Benny Hill, James Robertson Justice, Robert Helpmann, Barbara Windsor, Davy Kaye, Stanley Unwin, Peter Arne, Desmond Llewelyn, Victor Maddern, Arthur Mullard, Max Wall, Gerald Campion, Max Bacon, Alexander Doré, Bernard Spear & Richard Wattis

Although Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has its moments, it’s an extremely long kids’ movie and just as the storyline gets exciting, the musical numbers become less entertaining.

Jeremy and Jemima Potts (Adrian Hall & Heather Ripley) beg their inventor father Caractacus (Dick Van Dyke) to buy a broken-down car they’ve fallen in love with. On a day trip with Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), Caractacus tells them a story of the evil Baron Bomburst (Gert Fröbe).

Trying to create the same magic as Mary Poppins with a similar story, the same music and choreography teams, and Van Dyke in the lead, the final product isn’t as intriguing, and its considerable runtime isn’t justifiable.

However, Van Dyke and Howes shine in the “Toot Sweets” and “Doll on a Music Box” numbers.

Final say: Doesn’t fly nearly as high as Mary did. ★★☆☆☆