Posted on 08/30/2016 3:33:43 AM PDT by Bikkuri
US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family has confirmed.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
I liked his young rabbi headed west in “The Frisco Kid”.
Ironic since the character The Waco Kid had a drinking problem.
Another funny exchange from the same scene:
Bart: What do you like to do?
Jim: I dunno. Play chess. Screw.
Bart: Let’s play chess.
Sad, but Blazing Saddles could never be made in Hollywood today. The n-word count is off the chart by PC standards, and quite frankly, they could never find actors who could match those in the original.
A lot of people don't realize this, but Richard Pryor co-wrote the script, which is probably the reason why that word was used throughout the movie. It was Pryor's intention to play the part of the sheriff himself, but the studio refused to give him the part because they felt he was too controversial. It would have been the first pairing of Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor.
Hilarious. You’re right about that. They could never make anything like that today. People don’t see the humor in stuff like that. They just want to get offended.
Y’know, Prior was a genius but I am so glad they went with Clevon Little instead. He was just so smooth and handsome and sophisticated that it really showcased the absurdity of everyone else all the better. And I just can’t see Prior effortlessly seducing Lily Von Shtoup the way Little did. A dazzling urbanite indeed.
You are correct. The studio was also concerned about Pryor’s reliability, based on his long history of drug use. In fact, Gene Wilder related a story about the making of Blazing Saddles; one day, there was supposed to be a writer’s meeting and Pryor failed to show.
A few hours passed. Finally, Mel Brooks received an apologetic phone call from Pryor, who was in Cleveland.
“Cleveland,” Brooks asked, “what are you doing in Cleveland?”
“I have no idea.”
Casting Cleavon Little as Bart was both safe and inspired. Hard to imagine anyone else in that role. Little was a terrific actor who died far too young from cancer.
He voiced “Letterman” on “ The Electric Company” as I had long forgotten. Joan Rivers was the narrator and Zero Mostel voiced the villain Spellbinder.
One of the great comics of the 1970’s has left this world. RIP, he gave a lot of memorable performances.
Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder... Comedy was your calling. RIP.
“Sad, but Blazing Saddles could never be made in Hollywood today. The n-word count is off the chart by PC standards, and quite frankly, they could never find actors who could match those in the original.”
Not to mention the occasional use of the f-word (faggot).
Gene was brilliant in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (that’s “Fronkensteen”). And as long as those films - and the many others he did - survive, in a way he will always be with us.
R.I.P.
My name is Jim but most people call me...Jim.
Well, it got to the point that every piss-ant prarie punk who thought he could shoot a gun would ride into town to try out the Waco Kid. I must have killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille. It got pretty gritty. I started to hear the word “draw” in my sleep. Then one day I was just walking down the street when I heard a voice behind me say, “Reach for it, mister!” I spun around, and there I was, face to face with a six-year-old kid. Well, I just threw my guns down and walked away.
The little bastard shot me in the ass. So I limped into the nearest saloon, crawled inside a whiskey bottle, and I’ve been there ever since.
Comments like this are the reason that, IMO, Free Republic needs a “like” button. :)
Not to mention the occasional use of the f-word (faggot).
= = = = = = = = = = = =
Kansas City ‘Faggot’ is still ok...<: <:
Throw them a rope.
NO STUPID, it is for the hand truck - that costs 10 bucks can get plenty more like you (or something like that)
OOOLALA...itsh twoo itsh twoo
Of course they would be able to leave the Irish being banned from the ‘new town’....
Good call I hope TCM does a tribute they probably will. Wilder was just great.
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