From time to time I pick up a copy of the Commemorative Editions of LIFE magazine. I find them well written. I also appreciate the comprehensive overview of the subject in question, this time, Gene Wilder:
This is basically a quick look at a long life with many wonderful pictures. There are nine sections tracing Wilder’s career from early life to his final days.
I first remember Wilder in the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (pictured above). This performance will always be the one my mind goes to when I hear his name! But obviously Wonka wasn’t the only character Mr. Wilder immortalized:
Young Frankenstein
Leo Bloom (The Producers), The Waco Kid (Blazing Saddles), and Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Young Frankenstein, pictured above) are all characters Wilder created with director Mel Brooks. All of them will live on in comedic history! As will a comic pairing that spawned four films:
Wilder with Richard Pryor
Silver Streak and Stir Crazy will be the best remembered films from these two legendary comedians. Details of their relationship are shared in this magazine.
Four marriages. Two cancer episodes. A unforgettable career. A final illness. All of these, and (most) everything inbetween, are covered on 80 high-gloss pages.
Gene Wilder (1933-2016)
At a cost of just $16.99 CAN I thought this magazine was a good deal for such an emotional and inspiring look into the life of a man who brought so much fun and humor to so many!
As an extra read, check out my post entitled Top 5 Non-Disney Disney Movies to see why I think Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory could have been a Disney movie!
Concluding thought: Wilder never shared his battle with Alzheimer’s because “he simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world” if one of his fans, mainly children remembering his Wonka character, should hear of it.
