Wilder, who died Monday at age 83 from Alzheimer’s complications, collaborated with Brooks on a series of landmark films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
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It was in 1991 that Gene Wilder turned in his badge and quit the big screen, his final movie being “Another You” with long-time collaborator Richard Pryor, sadly a critical and box office failure.
Mel Brooks paid tribute to Gene Wilder Tuesday on The Tonight Show, days after the iconic comedians his death.
Brooks clearly knew how amusing Wilder could be from the moment he met him.
When Brooks was writing The Producers, he said that he first told Wilder that when they got the money, Wilder would be the accountant Leo Bloom, but Wilder didn’t quite believe they would get the money to make the film.
He also noted that Wilder came up for the idea for Young Frankenstein while the pair were working on the 1974 film Blazing Saddles.
To that story, Brooks began messing with his hair, while explaining Wilder’s emotional reaction to Brooks getting the financing.
“I think a part of him, after Gilda, wondered, ‘Will I ever find someone who excites me again, ‘ ” Walker-Pearlman told People. “He was such a dear friend”, Brooks said.
To mark the sad passing of undeniable film legend Gene Wilder, the Tyneside Cinema will be screening two of his classic films this weekend and no, Willy Wonka isn’t one of them. You may never get there, but it’s always a good thing to have. And he burst into tears and held his face and cried. We’re going to make the movie. Then I hugged him. Dr. FRONK-en-steen, the in-denial grandson of the legendary monster-maker in Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”. Brooks called it a “wonderful moment”.
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The whole chat is well worth your time and gives a greater insight into why Wilder became more and more selective about his projects in the latter stages of his career.
