Who’s your favorite comedy duo in Hollywood? There are plenty to choose from, including everyone from Abbot and Costello to Cheech and Chong, but Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder deserve as much recognition.
▬Contents of this video▬ 00:00 - Intro 00:28 - Before They Were a Duo 01:26 - Their Early Friendship 02:37 - The Producers 03:48 - Blazing Saddles 04:58 - Young Frankenstein 07:04 - Gene’s Death 07:34 - Outro
This unstoppable pair began as a small-time actor and writer until fate stepped in. They met in a dressing room and began their relationship with some good-natured teasing. That evolved into a working partnership that produced some of the best satire in movie history. Mel promised Gene the co-lead role of Leo Bloom in his musical The Producers. The show about making money off of a flop ironically wasn’t a commercial success but became a beloved piece of movie history. The pair poked fun at Westerns next. Gene wasn’t Mel’s first pick for the role of Wacko Kid, but he turned out to be the best choice. It wasn’t his most beloved performance, but the movie as a whole is a comedy classic.
Gene came up with the idea for the duo’s most famous project himself. Young Frankenstein parodied old horror movies with a loving, hilarious touch. They had one of their only genuine arguments over the Putting on the Ritz dance number, but it’s now one of the most famous musical numbers in the film. Their friendship lasted until Gene’s tragic death due to complications from Alzheimer's at the age of 83. The acting world flooded Twitter with condolences, and Mel was overcome with grief upon hearing the news. He’s upset that he can’t call his reliable friend up when he needs him but glad for the magic he brought to everything they did together.
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Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder Had a Truly Unusual Relationship
By: Facts Verse Title: Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder Had a Truly Unusual Relationship Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lBJyf3I750
