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Peter Ostrum was born in Dallas, Texas in 1957, but spent a substantial portion of his childhood in Cleveland, Ohio. It was in Cleveland that he began acting professionally, appearing in children's theater productions at the Cleveland Play House. The story goes that talent scouts from Paramount, sometime in 1970, were scouring children's theaters looking for potential actors to play the five central children in a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's confection-based 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

The 12-year-old Ostrum was asked to pose for a few Polaroids and was recorded reading passages from Dahl's book into a tape recorder. He also sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" as proof of his singing abilities. The pictures and recordings were then flown to New York and shown to the film's producers. Ostrum was perfect and beat out many, many other children for the role of Charlie Bucket. His experience on stage gave him an edge.

In the 1970s, John Wayne's career was approaching its final years, which meant whatever his final project would be cemented into his legacy. The 1979 Western The Frisco Kid, a movie about a Polish rabbi who befriends a bank robber and embarks on an adventure, was originally supposed John Wayne's final movie, as he would have played Tommy Lillard. The studio was keen on hiring Wayne, but issues between the producers and the actor resulted in Wayne turning down the film. Instead, a rising star replaced him in the role.

Way before joining the cast of TV Western 1923, Harrison Ford was the much younger replacement for Wayne in The Frisco Kid. The movie also starred Gene Wilder as the Polish rabbi Avram, following his well-received performance in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Because Ford replaced Wayne, his last ever film was another critically acclaimed Western where he starred alongside James Stewart,...

Wilder had a hidden talent for watercolor painting, which he pursued passionately beyond his acting career. Despite his skill, Wilder remained private about his artwork and rarely exhibited or sold his paintings. Most of Wilder's watercolors are in a private collection, making it challenging for the public to appreciate his talents.

As revealed in the illuminating Netflix documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, the legendary comedy performer and moviestar had many other talents at his disposal including an aptitude for watercolor painting. As the documentary explains, Wilder was a talented watercolorist, dedicating himself to perfecting the skill. However, while brief glimpses of Wilder's paintings can be seen in the documentary, it isn't fully explained what happened to them after his death and where, if anywhere, the paintings can be seen today.

Remembering Gene Wilder is a chronological account of the late actor's journey from obscurity to one of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Remembering Gene Wilder: A heartfelt tribute to a comedic legend with insights from colleagues, friends, and family. Mel Brooks, Carol Kane, and others share personal stories highlighting Wilder's impact on popular culture and comedy. An emotional journey through Wilder's life, from iconic roles like Willy Wonka to personal struggles with dementia.

The Netflix documentary Remembering Gene Wilder was a touching tribute to one of the greatest comedic performers of all time and featured several appearances from notable actors and celebrities. Those who worked with Wilder in his vast and varied career spoke about his incredible legacy and the impact his performances have had on popular culture. From the astounding achievement that was Wilder as Willy Wonka right up to his struggles with dementia in later life, Remembering Gene Wilder was a heart-moving account of the extraordinary life of one of the all-time great comedians.

Remembering Gene Wilder featured appearances by actors,...

Remembering Gene Wilder is a must-watch documentary capturing the life and career of the legendary actor and comedian. Love, Gilda is a companion piece worth checking out, offering a deeper look into the life of Gilda Radner, Wilder's late wife. Fans of Gene Wilder should definitely watch Love, Gilda for a closer look at the impact Radner had on Wilder's life and career.

Remembering Gene Wilder is a popular new Netflix documentary, and it is a reminder to watch this 6-year-old movie that has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and is now streaming for free. Gene Wilder was one of the most beloved actors of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, with him appearing in classic films like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Remembering Gene Wilder is causing many fans to look back on the actor's life and career, but this other film pulls this trick off as well.

Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” is a certified hit for Netflix, and a rare one: It’s an original film that’s critically acclaimed as well as a popular success.

Meanwhile on PVOD, Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” dominated “Godzilla Minus One” (Toho) not only in theaters (more than three times the gross) but also in home interest.

“Civil War” (A24) is #1 again at iTunes in its fourth week of availability (#2 at Fandango), a remarkably strong showing for a film with a strong but sub-$70 million domestic box office take.

“Hit Man” has led Netflix’s most-watched movie list for 10 days, the first film to do so since 2023 Netflix production “Leave the World Behind” starring Julia Roberts; it held the spot for 13 days last December. We await word on actual viewing minutes, which it recently touted for “Atlas” with Jennifer Lopez. Already, “Hit Man” has more days...

Gene Wilder died at 83 from Alzheimer's in 2016, keeping his diagnosis secret to protect fans of his iconic roles. Netflix's "Remembering Gene Wilder" documentary pays tribute to the beloved actor, highlighting his greatest achievements. Wilder started acting at 8, had his big break in "The Producers," retired in the 90s, and last appeared in his 2005 documentary.

Netflix's Remembering Gene Wilder documentary is now trending, and here is everything that we know about Gene Wilder, including how old the beloved comedian and actor was when he died as well as what illness caused it. Gene Wilder was one of the most beloved performers throughout the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, with Gene Wilder appearing in all kinds of classic films like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Wilder's death was a tragic moment for the world of laughter, and here's how the iconic subject of Remembering Gene Wilder sadly passed away.

Our top pick for a movie awards contender to stream this weekend is “I Saw the TV Glow,” writer-director Jane Schoenbrun’s and producer Emma Stone’s buzzy A24 horror drama.

The film stars Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine as Owen and Maddy, suburban teenagers who bond over their love of a TV show called “The Pink Opaque,” which follows psychic teenagers Isabel and Tara as they battle monsters. Eventually, it becomes clear that they are Isabel and Tara, which freaks Owen out. The film is a surrealistic trans allegory with unique visuals and an excellent contemporary indie rock soundtrack that cements Schoenbrun as a filmmaker to watch. The cast also includes Danielle Deadwyler, Conner O’Malley, and Fred Durst. “I Saw the TV Glow” will be a darkhorse Oscar contender and a likely Independent Spirit Award nominee. It’s available on VOD now.

Here are some other movies to stream...

Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to “Daytime Revolution,” a documentary about the week that John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” in early 1972. Directed by Erik Nelson, with creative consultation from Ono and her son, Sean Ono Lennon, the doc uses archival footage from each of the five 70-minute shows as well as interviews with six surviving guests, including Ralph Nader, to tell the behind-the-scenes story of theses shows.

Kino Lorber will open “Daytime Revolution” theatrically later this year, followed by a home video, educational, and digital release on all major platforms.

“Erik Nelson has unearthed a fascinating and undeniably radical moment of cultural history with ‘Daytime Revolution,’ giving viewers incredible behind the scenes access to a week of

television that continues to resonate today,” says Wendy Lidell, Kino Lorber’s senior VP of theatrical distribution and acquisitions. “John and Yoko used this memorable week...

Plot: The life and career of Gene Wilder are remembered by his friends and colleagues.

Review: Gene Wilder was a one-of-a-kind talent. While it seems like he’s mostly remembered these days for playing Willy Wonka (with his performance inspiring Timothee Chalamet’s recent take), there was a lot more to him than just that one film. For one thing, his cinematic partnership with Mel Brooks resulted in three all-time classics: The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Plus, he and Richard Pryor made an iconic mismatched duo in a slew of films (some better than others), while Wilder directed several highly successful films on his own.

In this loving tribute to the late icon, director Ron Frank pulls back the curtain to dip into both Wilder’s creative process and sometimes tragic life. Pulling from an audiobook he recorded of his memoirs, the film is distinguished because Wilder himself tells much of the story.

Individuals like Andy Kaufman, Richard Pryor, John Candy, Sam Kinison, Bill Hicks, Robin Williams, Gilda Radner, George Carlin, and Gene Wilder come to mind in a list of late comedic greats who changed the comedy landscape. Their influence remains a part of the art, with up-and-coming joke-slingers citing them as sources of inspiration. Sometimes, it’s good to reflect on the contributions of comedy’s titans. So Kino Lorder is proud to present Ron Frank’s Remembering Gene Wilder trailer, celebrating the life and career of the curly-haired clown alongside notable friends.

Remembering Gene Wilder is a heartfelt documentary and entertaining portrait of the life and career of the beloved actor, featuring an extensive array of highlights from Wilder’s most memorable films and interviews with his closest friends, family, and fellow comics.

Here’s the official description for Remembering Gene Wilder:

Remembering Gene Wilder is a loving tribute to...

Comedy actor and writer Gene Wilder is to be celebrated in documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, and here’s the trailer.

To several generations, Gene Wilder will forever be known as the definitive screen version of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka in 1971 film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. To others, he might be best known for his frequent collaborations with comedian Richard Pryor in films like Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Another You.

Going on to forge a career as a writer and director, one of the most underrated comedies of the 1970s, and one that is well worth tracking down if you haven’t had the pleasure, is The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes’ Younger Brother. Wilder’s 1975 directorial debut saw the actor star alongside the powerhouse pairing of Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldmen, both of whom he worked with in Young Frankenstein, the...

"He had a unique ability to find humor in anything." Kino Lorber has revealed their trailer for a doc film titled Remembering Gene Wilder, a loving tribute to the comic genius and acting legend. The film was the Opening Night Selection of the Boston & San Francisco Jewish Film Festivals, as well as the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, where it won Best Picture. It's set for a theatrical release starting in March before it's available on VOD. Kl introduces it: "In this loving, career-spanning documentary, Ron Frank has captured both the public Gene Wilder that we all know and love as well as the more private Gene, a funny, kind, and gentle man beloved by his family, friends, and confidants. We're thrilled to share this film with audiences worldwide, so they can join us in spending 92 delicious minutes with the magical man behind the characters we love.” It's a moving...

Executive joined as Chief Strategy Officer one year ago.

Kino Lorber Chief Strategy Officer Ed Carroll has been appointed to president of Kino Lorber Media Group.

Richard Lorber, who remains chairman and CEO and to whom Carroll will report, made the announcement on Thursday.

Reporting to Carroll will be COO Martha Benyam, who will oversee the MHz Choice and Topic SVoDs and the home entertainment group; chief revenue officer Lisa Schwartz, formerly president of IFC Films, who will oversee content sales and platform distribution as well as Kino Lorber’s film division, which includes the Kino Film Collection SVoD; and Judy Silverman,...

Exclusive: Kino Lorber has acquired all rights worldwide to Ron Frank’s documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, a portrait of the life and career of the beloved actor and comedian.

Featuring highlights from Wilder’s most memorable films as well as interviews with his closest friends, family, and fellow comics, the film will next play as the Closing Night movie of the New York Jewish Film Festival on January 24.

Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release in March 2024, followed by a home video, non-theatrical, and digital release.

Wilder, who died in 2016, is best known for his collaborations with Mel Brooks in The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles, his partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like Silver Streak and Hear No Evil, See No Evil, and his performance as the mysterious chocolatier in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The doc touches on the actor’s Jewish upbringing in Milwaukee, marriage to Gilda Radner,...

The Newport Beach Film Festival has added a screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret” to its Fashion Island main stage line-up. The screening on Sunday, Oct. 15 will include a Q&a with author Judy Blume, writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L. Brooks and Julie Ansell.

This year’s festival will also feature conversations with Rainn Wilson and music producer and songwriter Mark Ronson. The events are free of charge.

The screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” will take place at The Lot. The Lionsgate film stars Abby Ryder as 11-year old Margaret, who is uprooted from her life in New York City to move to New Jersey, where she deals with the challenges of puberty with new friends in a new school. Margaret’s mother, played by Rachel McAdams and her grandmother, played by Kathy Bates, help her cope with her new life.

Gene Wilder’s working relationship with Mel Brooks may have only lasted for seven years and three films, but their friendship endured for more than five decades. Wilder, who died at age 83 in 2016, is being memorialized on film with the new documentary, Remembering Gene Wilder, which had its world premiere at a film festival in Los Angeles last month. Wilder spoke to us many times over the years and, during one of those talks, told us why he’d considered Brooks such a close friend. (Click on the media bar below to hear Gene Wilder) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gene_Wilder_Mel_Brooks_.mp3

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