Arthur Slugworth
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Mr. Arthur Slugworth is a fictional character from the children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) by British author Roald Dahl.
[edit] Slugworth in the Book
In the book, Mr. Slugworth is one of Willy Wonka's rival chocolate makers, the president of Slugworth Chocolates Incorporated. Slugworth (along with Wonka's other rivals Mr. Fickelgruber and Mr. Prodnose) sent in spies to steal the secret recipes to Wonka's treats. He began making candy balloons that one blows up to incredible sizes, and then pops with a pin before gobbling them up- a plagarized invention. The work of Slugworth (along with the other rivals) came close to ruining Wonka's factory. Wonka was forced to close his factory and fire all his workers. A few years later, Wonka's factory began working again (operated exclusively by Oompa Loompas) and his work continued to dominate the candy industry. Slugworth is never heard from again, but he is referenced when Willy Wonka enters his favorite room, that Mr. Slugworth, Prodnose or Fickelgruber would each give their front teeth to enter his favorite room for five minutes.
[edit] Slugworth in the 1971 film
In the 1971 film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Slugworth's company is in business. Inside Bill's Candy Shop, Wonka's products and signs are the most visible, but Slugworth's Sizzlers are also prominently displayed, and one is even sold ("a Sizzler for June Marie"). (Also seen are signs for Fickelgruber's (Ladove (?) and Fickelgruber's Fudges.) Grandpa Joe describes Slugworth as the worst of Wonka's rivals, telling how Wonka closed down because of the spying.
A man calling himself Slugworth is a prominent character. As each Golden Ticket is found, a sinister man approaches the finder and whispers something into their ear. After Charlie finds the last ticket, the man approaches Charlie as well. We get to hear what he has been saying to the Gold Ticket winners: He introduces himself as Arthur Slugworth, president of Slugworth Chocolates Incorporated. Wonka is working on a new candy (the Everlasting Gobstopper) that threatens to ruin Slugworth. He offers Charlie a huge payoff ("10,000 of these", flashing some unknown currency) to get one piece of the candy and bring it to him so he can figure out the formula. (Two of the children respond to Slugworth's bribe: Veruca Salt crosses her fingers behind her back when Willy Wonka asks the children to promise not show the Everlasting Gobstopper to anyone else. Mike Teavee asks his mother what secrets they can sell to Slugworth; his mother is also heard telling her son to keep his eyes peeled and his mouth shut.) At the end of the film, Wonka reveals that the man is not Slugworth, but Mr. Wilkinson (who works for Wonka), and that his offer was a moral test of character.
The movie does not explain how "Slugworth" was able to approach each winner just minutes after they found their ticket. It is speculated that Wonka knew in advance who the winners would be (or at least where they would be).
Slugworth/Wilkinson was played by Gunther Meisner.
[edit] Slugworth in the 2005 film
Slugworth only makes a split-second appearance in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He receives a secret recipe from Prodnose and is not heard of again.
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl) | |
|---|---|
| Characters: |
Willy Wonka | Oompa-Loompas | Charlie Bucket | Augustus Gloop | Veruca Salt | Violet Beauregarde | Mike Teavee | Grandpa Joe | Mr. Slugworth | The Candy Man | Prince Pondicherry | Vermicious knid | Mr. and Mrs. Teavee | Mr. Salt | Mr. Beauregarde | Mrs. Beauregarde | Dr. Wilbur Wonka (only in Tim Burton film) |
| Books: | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator |
| Films: | 1971 | 2005 |
| Misc.: | Differences between the book and film versions | Golden Ticket | Wonka Bar | Video Game | other Roald Dahl films | other Roald Dahl books |
