"Young Frankenstein" will be playing at my house tonight. I only wish I had "Willy Wonka" and "Blazing Saddles" on DVD, I'd make it a movie marathon in his honor.
I just watched Young Frankenstein a month ago and I still laugh my ass off even after 100+ viewings. I have pulled back from my viewings of it and wondered if it would still be funny... and it was even funnier I guess because of what I have heard Mr Brooks and Mr Wilder say about it and the making of it and other things like seeing the original Frankenstein and seeing the spoofing comedy genius. One of the best casts ever... and Gene Wilder was perfect.
Also- There is a docu/show/moviethingy/American Masters by PBS Mel Brooks: Make a Noise that is a conversation with Mel Brooks, made not too long ago and it is him talking about his life. Here it is... [www.pbs.org]
That is some of the best time I ever spent. Even in an interview Mr Brooks is funny as anyone gets... made me laugh over and over... taught me something... Mr Brooks is a world wide treasure, he is the real article.... anyway... hearing Mr Brooks talk about working with Gene Wilder on this movie and Blazing Saddles was fascinating. I feel blessed to have watched and heard it. The stories he told were fascinating.
TL/DR I think Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein both staring Gene Wilder are awesome.
He was also in Bonnie And Clyde, one of his first roles. Some of you may not know what the Willy Wonka movie means to a certain age-group, slightly post-Boomer. RIP, Mr. Wilder. You won.