A Brief One from Doug Draper
Posted August 30th, 2016 on Niagara At Large
“From the very first day when filthy bits of slime crawled out of the sea and called to the stars ‘I am man’, our greatest dread has always been the knowledge of our mortality. But tonight, we will hurl the gauntlet of science into the frightful face of death itself. Tonight, we shall ascend into the heavens! We shall mock the earthquake! We shall command the thunders and PENETRATE THE VERY WOMB OF IMPERVIOUS NATURE HERSELF!” – some of the words spoken by Gene Wilder, playing Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (or Frokensteen as he pronounced it) in the Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic Young Frankenstein.
Sadly enough, American actor and comedian Gene Wilder died this August 29th, 2016 at age 83.
Gene Wilder defying mortality in Young Frankenstein
Thankfully though, he has left us volumes of funny moments on the screen.
One of my many favourites was in Young Frankenstein after the of a man he had planted brain in went roaring out of the castle and Gene Wilder, in his Frankenstein role) called Igor – pronounced ‘Eye-gor’ by Mary Feldman, the pop-eyed actor who played him – over and asked whose brain he had put in the now-out-of-control guy.
“It was someone named ‘Abe Normal’,” responded Eye-gor. “Ah,” said Wilder’s Frankenstein, quickly figuring out why things were skidding so badly off the rails. “Are you telling me that I just put an abnormal brain in a six-foot-five, 350 pound gorilla? Is that what you are trying to tell me?!!!” (yes I know, I may have misquoted the height and weight of the monster there)
Of course, no one you could imagine anyone else doing a more masterful job of over-acting and shouting out lines in scenes like that than Gene Wilder.
He was another one of those originals that you simply cannot replace or do a Frankenstein and re-animate, for that matter.
It was very sad to hear the news of his death but the laughs will return with all the great movies he performed in over the years.
In my unprofessional opinion, Young Frankenstein, along with A Fish Called Wanda, My Cousin Vinny and a handful of others, are among the top comedy films ever made.
If you have a favourite Gene Wilder film, feel free it share it in the space below.
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My favourite: his anxiety attack with the blue blanket in The Producers. Legendary. Loved the man. Both my spouse and I gave a sweet sad smile on hearing he was gone. What a talent.
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Two of Mel Brooks’ greatest films: Young Frankenstein and Blazing Sadles, both starring Gene Wilder.
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Great moments of so many Gail and Doug. The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Stir Crazy, Williie Wonka, Blazing Saddles, Bonnie and Clyde…..
My fave was Young Frankenstein one of several which he also helped write. Some of the lines he wrote were hilarious. –
Frankenstein (when the ladies arrived)…”Can you help me with the bags?”
“Igor – “OK, you take the blond and I’ll take the one in the turban”.
Of course the horse’s neighing response (even when there was no horse in sight) to Frau Blucher’s name.
When his assistant said she was concerned because he hadn’t “touched his food” Wilder mauled his supper and said “There, are you happy?”
He was hysterical in words and was physically up there with the greats of slapstick. Where are such comedians now? He could also sing and dance.
Don’t forget his work with Gilda’s Club and cancer research devoted to the memory of his late wife Gilda Radner. Both great talents.
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