BY MELISSA ANTOINETTE GARZA
When did I fall in love with the work of Gene Wilder? I can’t recall. I remember being 3 or 4 years old watching WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (1971) and adoring everything about him. His purple snazzy get up, the hat, the weird boat ride and Wilder’s overall portrayal of Willy Wonka was and is so significant for me. It shaped me. It made me realize that being different, staying a child, and doing the right thing even in the face of losing it all was important.
As a tween at about age 11 of 12, I became obsessed with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974). Back then VHS copies were so expensive so I would frequent the video store and with my weekly allowance often choose to rent this film over and over. It’s a comedy classic. Peter Boyle and Gene Wilder were pure gold together. Everything about it worked. It’s a timeless piece of art that still resonates as a fine parody and tribute to the original FRANKENSTEIN (1931).
BLAZING SADDLES (1974) was on constantly when I was a child. Mel Brooks provided so many amazing hits and this was definitely one of them. I remember my mom, my brother, my sister and I laughing hysterically at jokes we had heard a thousand times before. Gene Wilder with Cleavon Little by his side were brilliant. I was surprised to know that Richard Pryor had written much of the role of Bart for himself. The charismatic chemistry between Wilder and Pryor is legendary, that said Wilder and Little knocked it out of the park and with the assistance of Brooks writing made a film that will go down in history as one of the best comedies ever made.
As for Pryor and Wilder, the films they were in together were magnificent. My favorites are STIR CRAZY (1980) and SEE NO EVIL HEAR NO EVIL (1989). I could watch those all day every day. Though the two didn’t share a genuine friendship due to personal problems of Pryor at the times of many of the shootings, these two men were a joy to watch. It was easy to see the actual kinship that could have been there if not for Pryor’s addictions. With both these gentlemen gone, I can only imagine that the friendship on-screen is now off-screen in heaven as the real clean Richard Pryor surely is.
Gilda – Gilda- Gilda -The talented, vivacious, hilarious and beautiful Gilda Radner left earth way too soon. Her shared adoration and love with Gene Wilder made them one off the most memorable Hollywood couples of all time.
I grew up watching Gilda. I remember my mom showing me reruns of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE with her. She was so strong and could steal any clip she was in. If not for Gilda there would have never been a famous Tina Fey or Amy Poehler. It made perfect sense that she would end up with Wilder.
Though not a hit and not a favorite film of Gene Wilder, I grew up loving HANKY PANKY (1982). It was two years prior to Wilder and Radner getting married but their chemistry is phenomenal. Perfection personified, Sidney Poitier directed this film as he did STIR CRAZY (1980).
HAUNTED HONEYMOON (1986) was the last film of Gilda Radner and the third film she had done with Wilder. It was another bomb and only lasted in the theater for a week. I was 7 when it came out and probably around 9 when I saw it. I loved it.
Admittedly, I had a crush on Gene Wilder and I loved the fact that he and Gilda were married in real life; still it was something more. Wilder opened my eyes to films and radio shows of the past that otherwise would have been ignored.
Something many may not know about the horrible atrocity that is the RAZZIE AWARDS is that they gave Dom Deluise the “Worst Supporting Actress” award because he dressed in drag for much of the production. Now, I understand it was the 80s, but seriously that is screwed up! I hate the RAZZIES as it is, but it is inexcusably transphobic and homophobic. I would love for the RAZZIES to issue an apology.
After Gilda Radner passed away in 1989, Wilder remarried Karen Boyer and the two remained married throughout the rest of his life. My thoughts are with the Wilder family and for the millions of fans who are mourning today – such as I.
Today – tomorrow – and well after I’m gone, everyone will enjoy the enduring classics Mr. Wilder gave to us. Hold on to the humor and though the sadness and loss is still there, remember that Wilder is a shining star that will never dim.
“Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Woman?” Dave Lyons (Gene Wilder) – SEE NO EVIL HEAR NO EVIL (1989)
