{"id":24045,"date":"2016-08-31T14:41:56","date_gmt":"2016-08-31T18:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moviefanfare.com\/?p=24045"},"modified":"2016-08-31T16:41:23","modified_gmt":"2016-08-31T20:41:23","slug":"gene-wilder-willy-wonka-vs-dr-frankenstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.moviefanfare.com\/?p=24045","title":{"rendered":"Gene Wilder: Willy Wonka vs. Dr. Frankenstein"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One actor. Two film roles. You tell us which portrayal was the best. The most memorable. Or iconic. Or simply your favorite.<\/em><\/p>\n

But before you pass judgment, a few words defending the \u201ccharacter\u201d of each\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

The case for Willy Wonka<\/h2>\n

In Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory <\/a>Gene Wilder had only one condition before accepting the role of eccentric candy maker, involving his initial appearance. Leaning heavily on a cane with a pronounced limp Wonka would slowly make his way toward the contest winners. Initially believing Wonka is a cripple the gathered crowd watches as his cane becomes stuck in a cobblestone. As he continues to walk towards them Wonka realizes that he no longer has the cane. He starts to fall forward but instead of collapsing does a forward somersault and bounces back upright in grand fashion. Why did Wilder insist on this entrance? \u201cBecause from that time on,\u201d said Wilder, \u201cno one will know if I\u2019m lying or telling the truth.\u201d Genius.<\/p>\n

The case for Dr. Frankenstein<\/h2>\n

Gene Wilder conceived the idea of a descendant of the infamous Victor von Frankenstein while on the set of Blazing Saddles. Director Mel Brooks: \u201cHis idea was very simple: What if the grandson of Dr. Frankenstein wanted nothing to do with the family whatsoever. He was ashamed of those wackos. I said, \u2018That\u2019s funny.\u2019\u201d And so Frederick Frankenstein was born, a scientist who at first turns his back on his family\u2019s history (\u201cI am not a Frankenstein. I\u2019m a Fronk-en-steen\u201d). However, after inheriting his grandfather\u2019s Transylvanian castle and discovering the secret laboratory (\u201cPut\u2026the candle\u2026back.\u201d) the young Frankenstein <\/a>gradually accepts his fate. He succeeds where his ancestor had failed by giving his creation his own intellect and unconditional love, getting back something even greater in return\u2014woof!<\/em><\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve heard the arguments for both it\u2019s time to render your verdict!<\/em><\/p>\n

(Editor’s note: This piece originally ran on MovieFanFare back in 2012. We have republished it in tribute to Gene Wilder, who passed away this week at the age of 83).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One actor. Two film roles. You tell us which portrayal was the best. The most memorable. Or iconic. Or simply your favorite. 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