In memory of Gene Wilder

By Laurie Baron

SAN DIEGO — With the death of Gene Wilder, the world lost someone who consistently made us laugh.  Anyone who enjoyed movie comedies over the past 50 years feels this loss. The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Wilder began his career as a serious actor appearing on Broadway in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Mother Courage and Her Children and then on television in an early play about the Holocaust The Man Who Refused to Die and in Death of a Salesman. 

But it was his onscreen chemistry with other gifted comedic actors like Zero Mostel, Richard Pryor, Cleavon Little, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, and Gilda Radner, and talented directors like Mel Brooks, Bud Yorkin, Mel Stuart, Woody Allen, Arthur Hiller, Robert Aldrich, and Sidney Poitier that established his reputation.  He also directed five films, two of which he co-starred with wife Gilda Radner.  Now that they are reunited, I’d love to listen to their witty banter and hear them repeat some of the lines that made them famous.  Here are a few of his:

“Just think! Yesterday I was a meaningless little accountant…and today, I am the producer of a Broadway flop!” The Producers

Willy Wonka: [Showing off his geese that lay golden eggs] They’re laying overtime right now, for Easter.
Mike But Easter’s over!
Willy Wonka: Ssshhh! They don’t know that. I’m trying to get ahead for next year.
–Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

[Dr. Ross’s wife has caught him in bed with a sheep wearing sexy black garters]
Mrs. Ross: [upset] How could you?
Dr Doug Ross: This is Mrs. Bencours, one of my patients. She thinks she’s a sheep.
–Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [to Igor] Now that brain that you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck’s?
Igor: [pause, then] No.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?
Igor: Then you won’t be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry.
Igor: Abby someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby someone. Abby who?
Igor: Abby… Normal.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby Normal?
Igor: I’m almost sure that was the name.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [chuckles, then] Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four inch wide GORILLA?
–Young Frankenstein

“Well, it got so that every piss-ant prairie punk who thought he could shoot a gun would ride into town to try out the Waco Kid. I must have killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille.”
–Blazing Saddles

“The clue obviously lies in the word “cheddar.” Let’s see now. Seven letters. Rearranged, they come to, let me see: “Rachedd.” “Dechdar.” “Drechad.” “Chaderd” – hello, chaderd! Unless I’m very much mistaken, chaderd is the Egyptian word meaning “to eat fat.” Now we’re getting somewhere!”
–The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother

“If there’s ever anything that you need… don’t call me.”
–Silver Streak

“In the Talmud, it says “find thyself a teacher” and this I have done. However, there were times I feared that he would find another pupil.”
–The Frisco Kid

“And then one day, my wife turned into this remarkable creature that could sit on the end of a broom stick and take off. She could actually achieve flight.”
–See No Evil, Hear No Evil

Gene: Why am I the one who’s going?
Annie: Because we don’t know if they’re a bunch of maniacs over there with Uzis waiting to blow away the first person to come to the door.
Gene: So, I’m the one who’s expendable?
Annie: Unfortunately, Gene, yes. Because I’m the only one who knows how to work the dishwasher!
–Something Wilder

Gene Wilder once commented: “I don’t mean to sound – I don’t want it to come out funny, but I don’t like show business. I love – I love acting in films. I love it.”  And it showed!
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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University. He may be contacted via lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com. … San Diego Jewish World’s eulogy series is sponsored by Marc and Margaret Cohen in memory of Molly Cohen, and by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.  Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)