Gene Wilder learnt to be funny after his mother had a heart attack when he was eight, he once reflected that the doctor had taken him to one side and advised “Don’t ever get angry with her, you might kill her” before turning to leave and adding “You can make her laugh, though.”
He got his big break after starring on Broadway with Anne Bancroft, who was then dating her future husband Mel Brooks. He reportedly invited Wilder to read an early screenplay for The Producers, although he had not yet got the funding to turn it into a film, but a year later was able to cast the young actor in one of the leading roles.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Producers, a very special 4K restoration will be shown in cinemas nationwide for one night only on August 5th. However before then, we take a look at Gene Wilder’s most iconic performances.
Willy Wonka – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
After years of hiding away in his factory, candy maker Willy Wonka shocked everybody by announcing that five people will be invited to visit the factory, witness all of Wonka’s fabulous creations, and one lucky winner will receive a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate. Gene Wilder gives a brilliantly memorable performance embodying the spirit of one of Roald Dahl’s most well-known and favourite characters. Constantly throwing the audience off guard – his limping act when he exits the chocolate factory, followed by ‘Pure Imagination’, followed by the unnerving boat trip – Wilder bounces off the walls with energy, which is quintessentially Wonka.
Dr Frederick Frankenstein – Young Frankenstein (1974)
There are many films that can be referred to as ‘Endlessly Quotable’ and Young Frankenstein is one of the finest examples. Dr Frederick Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen) goes to Transylvania to claim his family’s estate, but while there decides to continue his great-grandfathers work…of reanimating the dead. Wilder was a performer who always had great chemistry with those he worked with and young Frankenstein is no exception; whether its exchanging bizarre jibes with Marty Feldman, silly flirtations with Teri Garr or dramatic exchanges with Cloris Leachman (horses gallop). And let’s not forget, there has never been a finer on-screen performance of ‘Puttin on the Ritz’.
Jim – Blazing Saddles (1974)
It’s no secret that Blazing Saddles is one of the most highly regarded comedy films of all time and also one of the most provocative, tackling racism head on in a way many films today would not be brave enough to. Robber Barron Hedley Lemar (Harvey Korman), in an effort to make a small town unliveable, sends in a black Sheriff (Cleavon Little). This doesn’t go down too well. Gene Wilder as the drunken gunslinger Jim ‘The Wacko Kid’ brings a hilarious energy to this film, as well as some much-needed quieter moments (‘You know…Morons’) which is one of the many reasons why this satirical western is often considered one of the greatest American comedies of all time.
George – Silver Streak (1976)
Wilder was known for having fantastic chemistry with everyone he worked with, but by far his best match was with Richard Pryor. The two comic legends made four films together, of which this was the first; mild-mannered book editor George Caldwell (Wilder) decides to take a relaxing vacation on a train, all is well (with even a romance blossoming) until George witnesses a murder and amateur sleuthing only leads the killer to him. The first half with its North By Northwest style parody is entertaining enough, but it’s when Pryor as car thief Grover Muldoon appears that this film becomes a classic.
Leo Bloom – The Producers (1967)
The Producers was not only Mel Brooks’ first feature film it was also Gene Wilder’s first lead film role (his first film role was as a hostage in Bonnie and Clyde) and it was the film that rightfully made them both Hollywood A-listers. Failed theatre producer Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel) concocts a scheme with timid accountant Leo Bloom (Wilder) to create a sure-fire flop show that can make them more money than a hit. Unexpectedly, ‘Springtime for Hitler’ becomes the next runaway smash. It’s true that no one other than Mel Brooks could have written such a script, but it’s equally true that no one other than Gene Wilder could have performed it. The ‘I’m wet…I’m in pain…And I’m still hysterical!’ scene, is still absolute comic gold and it’s easy to see why Wilder became one of the biggest comic stars of all time.
THE PRODUCERS RETURNS TO CINEMAS FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY ON AUGUST 5TH IN GLORIOUS 4K AND THEN ON DVD/BLU-RAY/EST ON SEPTEMBER 10TH.
