Gene Wilder passed away in 2016, but he will always be remembered for his zany look paired with gut-busting physical comedy. From Blazing Saddles and Stir Crazy, to Young Frankenstein and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wilder’s hilarious escapades were what captured us and drew us in closer to the screen. It almost did not even matter what film he was in, whether he was walking children through a chocolate factory or trying to prove his Frankenstein name because his comedic spirit bled through the screen.
Wilder had an amazing talent of being able to pull off every joke, but with a grin on his face as if he was going to burst into laughter with us. When collaborating with director Mel Brooks or actor Richard Pryor, it was almost a guarantee that milk was going to be coming out of our noses. To help remember some of these times, here are five of some of the absolute funniest moments Gene Wilder had onscreen.
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“You Are Not Evil, You Are Good!” (‘Young Frankenstein’)
Young Frankenstein is a comedy classic that will forever stand the test of time. It’s the perfect meshing of comedic geniuses Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks.
But this scene has a line that stays elevated over the others. Dr. Frankenstein’s communication with The Monster is caring and encouraging. And Peter Doyle’s reaction to it is spot on.
The Entire “Pure Imagination” Song (from ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’)
Probably Wilder’s most commercial and famous role is Willy Wonka from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). This film features a tamer Wilder in terms of the content of comedy, but it boasts his theatrical and singing talents masterfully.
When children of all ages see him dance across the edible grass while singing “Pure Imagination,” jaws drop to the floor in pure wonder and awe.
“Yeah, But I Shoot With This Hand” (from ‘Blazing Saddles’)
Blazing Saddles would never get produced today, but it has some of the funniest moments in film history.
Most of the comedic moments from the film are longer dialogues with hilarious payoffs at the end, but Wilder has one of the best lines in the entire movie when talking about his ‘shooting hand.’ We are, of course, expecting his steady hand to be his gunslinger, but nope, Wilder flips up his lack-of-booze-shaken hand that can barely hold still.
“Why Don’t You Look Me in The Eye and Say That?” (from ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil’)
See No Evil, Hear No Evil has a brilliant premise that lends itself to some unique comedy. When that plot is filled with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, it turns into gold.
This classic scene is the perfect highlight of Wilder’s anger when he loses it onscreen. For some reason, audiences love him even more when his temper flares, his cheeks get red, and his body starts getting animated.
“We Bad” (from ‘Stir Crazy’)
And last, but not least, we have the always memorable “We Bad” scene that never gets old upon repeated viewing.
Watching Gene Wilder try and mirror Richard Pryor’s lingo and mannerisms is what not only makes this scene but the entire movie enjoyable.
