New documentary Remembering Gene Wilder to premiere in Danbury
On Sunday, September 10 2023, The Palace Danbury will present the new documentary film, Remembering Gene Wilder. ThIs screening will be the Connecticut premiere and director, Ron Frank, will be present and will take part in a Q&A following the film.
REMEMBERING GENE WILDER is a heartfelt tribute to the beloved star of such movie classics as “The Producers”, “Blazing Saddles”, “Young Frankenstein”, and “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”
This multi-talented performer is dramatically brought to life through never-before-seen home movies and photographs, as well as the intimate insights of friends and colleagues including Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, Harry Connick Jr., Rain Pryor, Gene’s wife, Karen Wilder, and Peter Ostrum, who portrayed “Charlie” in one of Gene’s most memorable roles, “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”
Born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gene’s roots in comedy can be traced to a directive he received as a child. When Gene’s mother suffered a heart attack when he was eight, her doctor instructed him, ‘Don’t ever argue with your mother. You might kill her. Try to make her laugh.’ Rather than shrinking under the burden of this repressive command, the youngster channeled his talents into comedy, first on stage and later, after meeting Mel Brooks, in a series of memorable performances that solidified his place among the movie greats.
Gene’s portrayal of such outlandish (volcanic), but all-too-believable characters as Leo Bloom in “The Producers”, the Waco Kid in “Blazing Saddles” and Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in “Young Frankenstein” allowed him to bring a fearless and fanciful sense of humanity to each and every role. And when he teamed with Richard Pryor in a series of groundbreaking comedies, the pair formed perhaps the most successful interracial comedy team to ever grace the silver screen.
“I love this film! It’s a warm and wonderful tribute to my dear friend, Gene. Don’t miss it!”
Mel Brooks
But Gene Wilder’s life was not without heartache. From the tragic death of his wife and co-star, Gilda Radner, to his own struggles against the ravages of Alzheimer’s Disease, Gene faced the uncertainties of life with the same wondrous, can-do spirit that was the hallmark of the characters he portrayed onscreen.
Remembering Gene Wilder reminds us of his stature as the beloved, one-of-a-kind star who could engage audiences with genuine comedic genius and pure imagination. In the words of Gene’s lifelong friend and collaborator, Mel Brooks, “He lived his life loud and eloquently. There will never be another Gene Wilder.”
An award-winning filmmaker, Ron Frank has earned a Peabody award and Emmy nomination, and has worked as director, writer, editor and producer. Ron has taught documentary filmmaking at UCLA and holds a BFA from New York University’s film school. In addition to his most recent documentary, “Remembering Gene Wilder” His film and television credits include:
• “MLK: The Assassination Tapes” for Smithsonian Channel for which he received the George Foster Peabody Award.
• “The Hunt for Adolf Eichmann”, narrated by Gregory Peck
• “The Lost JFK Tapes” for National Geographic Channel, a two hour special on the JFK assassination for which he received an Emmy nomination.
• “When Comedy Went to School” about the birthplace of stand up comedy in the Catskill Mountains.
• “The Eternal Road” on PBS; the story of a lost opera by Kurt Weill that foreshadowed the fate of German Jewry
One Screening Only at The Palace Danbury. Sunday, September 10, 2023. The film starts at 5:00 PM. General Admission. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased in advance online at www.thepalacedanbury.com, by phone at (203) 794-9944, or at the box office starting one hour before showtime. Free parking for patrons.
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