Walk Down Movie Memory Lane – Remembering Gene Wilder

Apr 11, 2024 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth, Two Sues on the Aisle

Legendary actor/director, Gene Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1933.  For anyone familiar with this comedic legend, the movie Remembering Gene Wilder directed by Ron Frank, will guide them down movie memory lane filling in any knowledge gaps. The film is narrated mostly by Wilder himself, using his own words and voice (from the audiobook of his memoir) interspersed with interviews and film clips. Wilder novices will be mesmerized by his eyes, disarming naïve smile, and charisma. After the film, we were inspired to watch many of Wilder’s timeless classics.

Shaped by His Childhood

Wilder was raised Jewish and lived by the Golden Rule. In a book published in 2005, he stated, “I have no other religion. I feel very Jewish, and I feel very grateful to be Jewish. But I don’t believe in God or anything to do with the Jewish religion.” His Jewish background provided shtick for many of his characters including Rabbi from The Frisco Kid the 1979 American Western comedy.

He was introduced to comedy at the age of nine when his mother was recovering from rheumatic heart disease. Her doctor warned him “Don’t ever argue with your mother… you might kill her. Try to make her laugh.” Wilder took that advice to heart and later turned this skill into a career. Wilder felt comfortable on the stage and was driven to perform and create.

Career Highlights

Wilder’s professional career spanned 42 years from 1963 to 2005. His trajectory took off after Ann Bancroft introduced him to her then-boyfriend, Mel Brooks. In 1967, Brooks cast Wilder in a production of The Producers, playing Leo Bloom against Zero Mostel’s Max Bialystock. This was the same year he made his film debut with a minor role in Bonnie and Clyde.

Many people might be more familiar with Wilder’s other roles including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), Blazing Saddles (1974), or his collaborations with Richard Pryor beginning with Silver Streak (1976).

Wilder’s talent extended beyond acting. He wrote, directed, and starred in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975) and The World’s Greatest Lover (1977).

The Film

Remembering Gene Wilder features an extensive series of clips from Wilder’s many memorable films. There are interviews with Mel Brooks and other celebrities that provide context to Wilder’s career describing their collaborations with love and admiration.

The film hints at Wilder’s sadness, having lost his mother to ovarian cancer, the same disease that took his wife Gilda Radner years later. It also shows his battle with Alzheimer’s disease which would take his life in 2016.

Later in life, Wilder shifted his creative outlet from filmmaking to watercolors and writing. He even took up tap dancing with his wife Webb. His life appears to have been full and rewarding.

Our Overall Impression

Remembering Gene Wilder is a tribute to the life of Wilder, capturing and encapsulating his career for future generations. By focusing on his successes, and glossing over frustrations, the movie shows how Wilder’s comedic genius and dedication resulted in his successful career, a message reinforced by the many interviews.  Wilder was a legend, always questioning, teasing our perceptions, and challenging the norm. For example, in his depiction of Willy Wonka, he famously enters walking with a cane, but then he tumbles and bounces forward welcoming his visitors his eyes bright sparkling. He makes us expect the unexpected.

The image we embrace of Wilder is an unconventional performer who created comedy by flipping the script and letting us laugh at ourselves. Wilder was committed to his craft, embracing, and adding additional dimensions to each character he played. Remembering Gene Wilder brings his legacy to a new generation of movie enthusiasts.

******

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Remembering Gene Wilder received three Challahs