The universe of cinematography is simply infinite. We find ourselves with dramatic films that shake us, with fantasies that make us imagine distant universes or with comedies that make our ribs ache with laughter. But among all of them, children’s films deserve special mention. Those emotional intelligence movies for kids that not only amuse them and make them have a good time, but also contribute to the construction of their values, their personality and their own vision of the world. This time we wanted to bring to our website one of the most endearing films, with which several generations grew up. Join us in Supercurioso to discover the best curiosities of Matilda. Let’s start!
10 curiosities of Matilda that will surprise you
Between the movie curiosities, we find data from some films that have become a reference for several generations. Those stories that have marked the childhood of many people, with their endearing characters and sobering scenes. Matilda is one of them.
based on the roald dahl book«Matilda» (1988), was made into a film in 1996 by Danny DeVito. Its protagonist was Mara Wilsonwho adorned the role of Matilda, but all the characters are unforgettable: the parents, Miss Trunchbull, Miss Honey, her classmates… Let’s find out in detail what Matilda’s funniest curiosities are.
1. An honor to the author of the book
We begin this tour of Matilda’s curiosities, telling you about a particular scene. The one where Miss Honey shows Matilda a portrait of her father. The face we see on the canvas is precisely that of the author of the book on which the film is based, Roald Dahl.
2. Building a real fear
Each actor or actress develops their own methods for the construction of their characters. And when working with children, the challenge can be even greater.
Therefore, one of the most interesting curiosities of Matilda is the method used by Pam Ferris, the actress who played the role of Miss Trunchbull.
The woman he continued to act like one during the breaks, and in this way he managed to make the children show real fear during the filming.
3. A very sad event
Although they have seen the film many times, very few know that Suzie, the mother of Mara Wilson (Matilda), died of cancer during the filming of the film.
The girl, who showed unfailing professionalism, wanted to honor her mother by finishing the film that was dedicated to his memory.
4. The meaning of the surname
As all of us who have seen the film have been able to appreciate, Matilda is a film loaded with the most varied symbolism. And the surname of the peculiar family is no exception.
In fact, Wormwood, Matilda’s last name, means “wormwood” which is a plant with a bitter taste.which although it has been used since ancient times in medicine and in the production of liquors, in large quantities it is toxic. It would be quite an adequate meaning, if we consider the dynamics of this group, don’t you think?
5. A royal marriage
And here’s one of our favorite Matilda curiosities, the kind you just can’t believe: Matilda’s parents, played by Actors Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman are married in real life.
6. A curious cameo
Another of Matilda’s curiosities is that in her we can see John Lobitz make a cameo appearance, as the host of the game show that Matilda’s family is watching on TV.
If you’re not sure, a cameo would be the brief appearance of a well-known person in a movie, usually representing himself. Normally, the actor does not even appear in the credits.
7. The secrets of magical writing
And here is one of Matilda’s curiosities that reveals some small details about the filming. It turns out that, in order to achieve the effect of “magical” writing on the board, the production team used a system of magnets and chalk and placed several members of the team writing upside down on the back of the board. Perhaps a somewhat archaic method, if we compare it with the modern and computerized special effects.
8. The name of the doll
Another curious fact about the film, which hardly anyone knows, is that Miss Honey’s doll was named Liccy Doll, after the wife of the novel’s author, Roald Dahl. The woman’s name was Liccy Dahl.
9. A wink from the production
As we well know, Danny DeVito is the most relevant acting figure in the film. Well, one of the curious facts of the film is that, in one of the lunch boxes that appear in one of the scenes, You see the message “I remember Asbury Park, New Jersey”, this is a nod to the actor, who was born in that city.
10. Mr. Wormwood in real life
Surely you have heard more than once that reality far exceeds fiction. Well, in Matilda we see a confirmation of this rule. The father of the protagonist is in the film a despicable man, swindler and miser. But apparently it would not be the product of the novelist’s fantasy. In fact, it is believed that to build Matilda’s father, the author was inspired by a real person…
It was about a man from his town named Ginger Henderson, who had a gas station as a public business. But rumor had it that he also worked as a black market trader.
Definitely, Matilda’s curiosities take us through the universe of Roald Dahl, the British novelist who is also the author, among other works, of the popular Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Although the film was by no means a success at the box office, barely recouping production costs, it soon became one of the greatest cinematic icons of the 1990s.
If you liked this selection of Matilda’s curiosities, don’t miss our selection of the most endearing quotes from the movie.
Other movie curiosities
Well, and if you consider yourself a true movie buff, you will not want to miss this selection with movie curiosities. It will fascinate you. Don’t stop telling us which is your favorite movie and which one you don’t expect to see or repeat. See you in a next Supercurious article!