Mel Stuart

Mel Stuart (born Stuart Solomon; September 2, 1928 – August 9, 2012) was an American film director and producer who often worked with producer David L. Wolper, at whose production firm he worked for 17 years, before going freelance. Early life Stuart was born Stuart Solomon. He was of Jewish background. Career Stuart directed the fantasy-musical Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). He directed other features, including If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969), One Is a Lonely Number (1972) and Running on the Sun: The Badwater 135 (2000). Stuart also directed feature documentaries including the 1964 Oscar-nominated JFK documentary Four Days in November and the 1973 concert film Wattstax.