Directed by:
Ron FrankScreenplay:
Glenn KirschbaumCast:
Gene Wilder (a.f.), Mel Brooks, Carol Kane, Alan Alda, Eric McCormack, Peter Ostrum, Richard Pryor (a.f.), Harry Connick, Jr., Gilda Radner (a.f.) (more)Plots(1)
Few comedic actors have left a more indelible mark on our culture than Gene Wilder, whose performances in such classics as The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Silver Streak made him one of the most beloved stars of his era. This enrapturing and heartfelt documentary takes a close look at the life and career of this American original, from his Jewish upbringing in Milwaukee, to his early stage work, to his breakthrough collaborations with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor, to his marriage to Gilda Radner and beyond. Using a variety of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes; never-before-seen home movies; narration from Wilder’s audiobook memoir; and interviews from a roster of brilliant collaborators including Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, Harry Connick Jr., Rain Pryor, Karen Wilder (Gene’s wife), and Peter Ostrum, who portrayed Charlie in one of Gene’s most memorable roles, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Ron Frank’s film shines a light on an essential performer, writer, director, and all-around mensch. (New York Jewish Film Festival)
(more)Cast
Gene Wilder (a.f.)
USA
Best movies:
Mel Brooks
USA
Best movies:
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Toy Story 4 (2019)
To Be or Not to Be (1983)
Carol Kane
USA
Best movies:
Annie Hall (1977)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Man on the Moon (1999)
Alan Alda
USA
Best movies:
Same Time, Next Year (1978)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
Eric McCormack
Canada
Best movies:
Call of the Wild (1992) (TV movie)
Ally McBeal (1997) (series)
The Andromeda Strain (2008) (TV movie)
Peter Ostrum
USA
Best movies:
Richard Pryor (a.f.)
USA
Best movies:
Lost Highway (1997)
Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
Blue Collar (1978)
Harry Connick, Jr.
USA
Best movies:
The Iron Giant (1999)
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Memphis Belle (1990)
Gilda Radner (a.f.)
USA
Best movies:
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978) (TV movie)
The Last Detail (1973)
Hanky Panky (1982)
Burton Gilliam
USA
Best movies:
Back to the Future Part III (1990)
Paper Moon (1973)
How the West Was Won (1976) (series)
Rain Pryor
USA
Best movies:
Game Change (2012) (TV movie)
The Grinch (2000)
The Night Watchmen (2017)
Ben Mankiewicz
USA
Best movies:
White House Down (2013)
Mank (2020)
The Bling Ring (2011) (TV movie)
Mike Medavoy
China
Alan Zweibel
USA
Best movies:
The Story of Us (1999)
North (1994)