A Brit who owns the world’s largest collection of Willy Wonka film memorabilia is set to put it on display in his homeland.
Gregor Gee, 24, snapped up thousands of items from the 1971 movie -including Gene Wilder’s bright coat and top hat – at auction in America two years ago.
A massive fan of the movie, he even spent his 21st birthday at the Munich Gasworks in Germany – the site used for the chocolate factory in the cult film.
He has now organised a Wonka-themed party in Grangemouth, Scotland, later this month which will be attended by Julie Dawn Cole who played Veruca Salt, Diana Sowle [corr] who played Mrs Bucket and all the surviving Oompa Loompas from the film.
Gregor, who works as a memorabilia dealer and agent, said yesterday: “I’ve always loved the movie.
“I came across the collection, owned by the Dreier [corr] family, around two years ago. They had one of the most impressive film memorabilia collections in the world.
“They had every single piece of Willy Wonka memorabilia from Gene Wilder’s costume to everlasting gobstoppers. It took them 20 years to build it all.
“When I saw it was up for sale I thought it would be a shame for it to be sold on and split up again after 20 years. Ideally, I wanted it to go to a museum or something like that but that didn’t happen.
“So I decided to get as much of it as I could. I ended up getting things I never expected to get.”
He was invited to Los Angeles by American TV show Hollywood Treasure to view the collection in full before he decided to bid at auction.
Among his impressive hoard is a golden egg, an everlasting gobstopper, Grandpa Joe’s costume and the world’s only Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar.
He refused to disclose how much he paid for the collection but all of the items – which are stored in a warehouse – will go on show at the special adult extravaganza next month.
Gregor, from Bo’Ness in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, said: “I have props, costumes and even the paper trail from the film including bank receipts and payslips.
“For me, my favourite items are the Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar and Grandpa Joe’s costume.
“Out of all the people in the world who want the Scrumdiddlyumptious Bar, it feels quite special to have the only one. It’s a nice feeling.
“It is also very, very rare to find a costume that is 100 per cent but everything is there in the Grandpa Joe costume from the shoes to the top hat and shirt.
“What is the point in having all of this stuff and not doing anything with it?
“A lot of iconic memorabilia ends up in a bedroom but I want these things to be on show so other fans can have the pleasure of seeing them.
“It has never been in the country before so for it to be coming to Grangemouth is quite incredible really.
“Mrs Bucket is 83 years old and she is flying all the way from Washington DC just to come to Grangemouth.”
Film buff Gregor also owns the only MGM-authorised Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car in Europe, Christopher Lloyd’s shirt from Back to the Future, and Robin Williams’s and Dustin Hoffman’s iconic costumes from 1991 blockbuster Hook.
But it is the incredible Willy Wonka collection which is generating a buzz around town.
Hundreds of fanatics are expected to snap up Golden Tickets for the bash at Grangemouth Town Hall on March 14 and 15.
Guests will be given the opportunity to play out childhood fantasies such as trying lickable wallpaper surrounded by Oompa Loompas.
Julie Dawn Cole will also treat the audience to a performance of ‘I Want It Now’.
Gregor, who will assume the role of Willy Wonka at the party, then plans to take the show across the UK and over to America.
He revealed he hopes to one day buy the original chocolate factory in Germany – which is actually the Munich Gasworks – and turn it into a tourist site.
He added: “My real goal is to buy the Willy Wonka factory, reconstruct things like in the film and open it as a tourist attraction.
“I’d have a chocolate river and full-time oompa-loompas working there.
“We could even do a deal with Cadburys or another chocolate brand to supply the golden tickets.”
Golden tickets for next month’s event are priced #20 and VIP tickets – which include a backstage meet and greet with the stars – are priced #25.
For more information visit www.
Film buff Gregor also owns the only MGM-authorised Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car in Europe, Christopher Lloyd’s shirt from Back to the Future, and Robin Williams’s and Dustin Hoffman’s iconic costumes from 1991 blockbuster Hook.
This is in your report
Gregor Gillespie does not own the only mgm-authorised chitty chitty bang bang car. Do your research before producing rubbish like this.
Phone the dvla for proof. the real owner bought it 2 years ago and has it in their possesion in Glasgow!!!!!
Wish I could have been able to attend…