Originally he thought of himself as a dramatic actor until Mel Brooks recruited him for The Producers and it’s a good thing Mel’s instincts panned out. I can’t imagine Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein without Gene. He will always be the better Willy Wonka too. Depp’s turn was decent but he lacked that repressed, seething level of menace Gene brought. According to the commentaries in Futurama, voice actor Billy West focused on a picture of Wilder as Wonka during the recording sessions to stay in character as the Wonka Slug for the Slurm factory episode.
Gene’s casting in Blazing Saddles is a funny story in its own right. Back then, Mel Brooks was on the skids because none of his previous movies were very successful so Blazing had to be great or he’d probably return to TV, retire or something else. During the writing/development process, Gene read various drafts and let Mel bounce ideas off him. Gene liked it enough that he wanted to be in it. Mel thanked him for the assistance but said the movie’s cast was already set, namely the part of Jim/The Waco Kid to an older actor named Gig Young. All along, the plan was to have Bart (Cleavon Little) teamed up with an older, more experienced Western sidekick stereotype as his guide. The contrast would be part of the joke. John Wayne was offered the spot but refused over the movie’s dirty humor.
Then came the first day of shooting in LA. According to the schedule, the scene introducing Jim to Bart in the town’s only jail cell was the goal. Sadly, Gig Young’s alcoholism quickly became an obstacle so Mel called it a day by mid morning, sent everybody home for the weekend (it was a Friday) and knew he’d receive grief over wasting a day’s budget. However, he called Gene in NYC to say what happened and offered the part of Jim. Gene accepted, flew out that evening, reported to the costume department on Saturday and enabled the movie pick right up the following Monday. Mel is most grateful to Gene about it because Gene never said, “I told you so” over the Gig Young choice. It all worked out for the best too, Blazing Saddles went on to be one of the funniest movies ever made.
In return for this favor, Mel agreed to direct, develop, etc. Young Frankenstein when Gene pitched it. This turned into another comedic home run for Mel as everyone knows.
Since Gene (nee Jerome Silberman) was born in Milwaukee, maybe they’ll have a statue of him with General MacArthur and the Fonz (this one is being dedicated over the Summer). Outside of his work with Mel Brooks, I recommend watching him in one of his other comedies if you can find them. In the spirit of Indiana Jones, try to find The Frisco Kid which co-stars Harrison Ford.
Have you even seen the remake of Willy Wonka with Johnny Depp? Until then–no comparisons.