He made some great comedies, maybe some of the greatest of all time. But when it comes to being really funny, his role in Blazing Saddles was more subdued. Some of the best lines were actually from the rest of the cast.
shareBrooks actually wrote that part with John Wayne in mind.
Wayne loved it, but said he couldn't do it. Wilder was great as the Waco Kid, but I would have loved to have seen Wayne doing that role.
Can you imagine Wayne saying, "The little b@stard shot me in the azz."
Gig Young was The Waco Kid, but was a washout drunk. He was so bad that Brooks had to let him go, and called his friend, Wilder to take over. He literally walked on to the set, and was fimling two days after being asked to take the part. THAT truly shows the genius of Gene Wilder.
shareI knew that about Young and I agree with what you said about Wilder. I was just saying that Brooks wrote the part with Wayne in mind.
share