IT'S among the most memorable moments in a children's film.

We witness Willy Wonka's emergence from his chocolate factory after years of living as a recluse at the same time as those living in the factory's shadow.

Hobbling along the purple carpet with a cane before he leans forward at the very last minute into a bouncy forward roll.

A little piece of my childhood died when I learned Gene Wilder had passed away after suffering from Altzheimers for many years, a he kept hidden from fans.

While everyone had their favourite role, and there are many many brilliant comedy turns, for me he is Wonka.

The 1971 classic film is much as part of my childhood as drumstick chews, roller skates and Twinkle magazine.

Roald Dahl apparently was not overly happy with Gene Wilder's portrayal of one of his greatest creations.

It's true that Johnny Depp's is probably more aligned to the book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the high pitched voice and childlike demeanour, which was apparently modelled on Michael Jackson.

For me though he is just the right side of sinister and other-worldly, who doesn't quite seem human and gives little away about his past. Gene Wilder's amazing

While Depp's chastising of the rogue children is sarcastic, Gene Wilder's Wonka is far more threatening. The boat sequence in the modern version is little more than a bumpy ride. In the old move it is the stuff of childhood nightmares.

However, the moment, when he ? at Charlie towards the end of the film where he really excels. It's still hard to watch as he explodes with rage at Charlie for sharing a forbidden glass of floating lemonade with Uncle Joe.

As a child, that moment is terrifying, the injustice to Charlie hard to bear. The new version is far more sanitised as most modern children's films are.

And then, as Charlie lays the everlasting gobstopper on Wonka's desk and he turns with a beaming smile all is well with the world.

I was reading the book to my niece, days before the world learned of Gene Wilder's death and enjoyed the experience just as much as her (even the everlasting Oompah Loompah song passages.)

She's not seen the old version of the movie yet.