Gene Wilder Live in San Francisco
March 17th, 2008 | San Francisco ComedyThis Wednesday at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, Gene Wilder will be making a rare live appearance for a screening of Young Frankenstein, followed by a Q&A and a book-signing of his new novel, “The Woman Who Wouldn’t.”
In a short interview with the San Jose Mercury News, Wilder reveals that Young Frankenstein is his favorite among all his films. Here’s a couple excerpts from the interview:
Q: Though your background is not in sketch comedy, the organizers of SF Sketchfest said you were an obvious subject of a tribute because you are one of their “all-time heroes.” How do you digest being regarded by a generation of comic performers as such an icon?
A: If you ask me what it is like being a comedian, I’d say, “I have no idea.” I wouldn’t have the guts to be a comedian. I’d be scared stiff. But a comic actor, yes.
Q: When did you realize you had a gift for comedic performance?
A: My mother had a heart attack when I was 7 or 8 years old, and the heart specialist who brought her home, he pulled me down to him on his way out and said, “Don’t ever get angry with your mother, ’cause you might kill her.” I was scared to death when I heard that. And then he said, “Try to make her laugh.”
SF Sketchfest Presents: A Salute to Gene Wilder
Wednesday, March 19th
The Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street, SF
6:30pm, $25
