“I’m heartbroken at Gene’s passing, but what a wonderful way to celebrate his gifts and talents this weekend”, he said.
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Wilder himself has other memories from that first meeting with Brooks and they were just as great.
Peter Ostrum, who quit acting after playing Charlie Bucket as a 12-year-old, said Wilder had taken him under his wing on the set of the 1971 film. He also talked about writing the role of Leo Bloom from “The Producers” for Wilder, and how the latter said Brooks would never get it produced.
The Young Frankenstein director said that he knew Wilder was ill, but even though he expected it, it was still tough to come to terms with.
Brooks did secure financing for the comedy musical, and after learning he would be heading to the big screen for the first time, Wilder became emotional.
Now, Conan O’Brien is also paying tribute by posting a video of his 2005 interview with the star of such films as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
“Miracle of miracles”, Brooks did find the backing and visited Wilder backstage of a play he was doing called “Luv”.
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Mel, 90, recalled the early days of his friendship with Gene, who he met when his late wife Anne Bancroft starred in a stage production of “Mother Courage and Her Children” alongside the actor, who played Chaplain. “I expected it – I expected he would go, but I dunno, when it happens, it’s still tremendous. I can’t call him”, Brooks added. So he said, ‘Why are they always laughing at me?’ I said, ‘Look in the mirror – blame it on God’. Yeah, you’re gonna get the money.’ Miracle of miracles, I did get the money. “You’re going to get the money”. He held his face and cried. “It was a wonderful moment”. Brooks told Wilder it was a terrific idea and together, the two wrote the film.
