I didn’t see a thread on this, but amid all the political/racial bickering, I just wanted to start a thread where we can all remember one of the greatest actors of our lifetime. In my opinion, Gene Wilder did more for race relations in this country teaming up with Richard Pryor, than any other actor in our time. But it wasn't done to make a political statement - rather, just to make us laugh. Something we all need to do more of.

Silver Streak is my favorite Gene Wilder movie. But Blazing Saddles & Stir Crazy are close runners-up in my opinion.

Most kids and millennials will only know him from the dumb Willy Wonka meme, and that’s sad. We truly lost a great one, and I will never forget “The Waco Kid”.

Rest in peace, Gene. You will be missed.

"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams" -Willy Wonka

"That's right, we bad, we bad" - Stir Crazy

Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor together was always good for a laugh.

Gilda's been awaitin' a long time.

Ahh the good old days when people could call a black man the "N" word and it was considered funny.

(08-30-2016 09:36 AM)ECUGrad07 Wrote:  I didn’t see a thread on this, but amid all the political/racial bickering, I just wanted to start a thread where we can all remember one of the greatest actors of our lifetime. In my opinion, Gene Wilder did more for race relations in this country teaming up with Richard Pryor, than any other actor in our time. But it wasn't done to make a political statement - rather, just to make us laugh. Something we all need to do more of.

Silver Streak is my favorite Gene Wilder movie. But Blazing Saddles & Stir Crazy are close runners-up in my opinion.

Most kids and millennials will only know him from the dumb Willy Wonka meme, and that’s sad. We truly lost a great one, and I will never forget “The Waco Kid”.

Rest in peace, Gene. You will be missed.

You can say the same about Blazing Saddles as well. Pryor was originally casted for the role of Sheriff Bart but the studio axed the deal because of his past drug history. Mel Brooks kept Pryor on as a writer.

The funny thing about Blazing Saddles is that a lot of people get offended by the blatant racial slurs and highlighting of stereoptypes, but the movie was actually making fun of racists, not championing their ideas.

(08-30-2016 09:55 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Ahh the good old days when people could call a black man the "N" word and it was considered funny.

Nah, people were less uptight back then and didn't look to be offended by every damn thing. Heck, Blazing Saddles is iconic and it's most iconic character (IMO) was a black man.

(08-30-2016 09:55 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Ahh the good old days when people could call a black man the "N" word and it was considered funny.

You don't watch much comedy do you? That's still common practice today, unless you're a white comedian.

Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle made careers of race-based humor, among many others.

(08-30-2016 10:36 AM)Niner National Wrote:  

(08-30-2016 09:55 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  Ahh the good old days when people could call a black man the "N" word and it was considered funny.

You don't watch much comedy do you? That's still common practice today, unless you're a white comedian.

Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle made careers of race-based humor, among many others.

I don't disagree. However, much of the content takes place in bars or in rated R movies.

Silver Streak was a PG movie.

Rest in peace, Mr. Wilder.

He accepted the role as Willy Wonka on one condition: He wanted to enter the scene with a cane to appear crippled, have his cane get stuck in the sidewalk, then do a somersault and jump up. That way, according to him, people wouldn't know if he was lying or telling the truth the rest of the film. Turned out to be an iconic scene.

(08-30-2016 10:51 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Rest in peace, Mr. Wilder.

He accepted the role as Willy Wonka on one condition: He wanted to enter the scene with a cane to appear crippled, have his cane get stuck in the sidewalk, then do a somersault and jump up. That way, according to him, people wouldn't know if he was lying or telling the truth the rest of the film. Turned out to be an iconic scene.

I never knew that.

I have heard however that Willy Wonka is in fact the devil and the entire move is a metaphor for hell.