The World's Greatest Lover (1977)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Gene Wilder

Writer:

Gene Wilder (writer)

Release Date:

15 February 1978 (France)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Go ahead - laugh!

Plot:

A neurotic baker travels to Hollywood to attend a talent search for an actor to rival the great Valentino. Although not an actor, through blind luck he succeeds - to a certain degree! |

Plot Keywords:

Talent Search | Mistaken Identity | Revolving Door | Screen Test | Film Making

Cast

Gene Wilder	...	Rudy Valentine aka Rudy Hickman
Carol Kane	...	Annie Hickman
Dom DeLuise	...	Adolph Zitz
Fritz Feld	...	Tomaso Abalone, Hotel Manager
Mark Silberman	...	Cousin Buddy
Robert Ball	...	Bald Man (as Robert E. Ball)
Randolph Dobbs	...	Yes Man #1
Sandy Rovetta	...	Woman Dancer
Hannah Dean	...	Maid
Rita Conde	...	Whore #1
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Whore #2
Teda Bracci	...	Whore #3
Elaine Everett	...	Whore #4
Gustaf Unger	...	Producer
Harry Gold	...	Freddie the Runner

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Sweden:11 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Jouer Limited

Trivia:

Lupe Ontiveros' film debut.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: This film is supposed to take place in the 1920s silent movie era, yet the movie extras riding in the bus to their location sing-along to "Shuffle Off to Buffalo", a Harry Warren-Al Dubin song written for the 1933 sound film "42nd Street."

Quotes:

Projectionist: I'm in the union.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Something to Scream About (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Fascination

My autobiography is also called like this...

wha ha ha ha...kidding of course. I thought a joke like this was fairly obvious. The World's greatest lover is a complete Gene Wilder project and by this movie, he proves that he was one of the most talented comedians of his time. There often are moments of great genius to detect in this story about a fed up man who moves from Milwaukee to Hollywood to chase the American dream and become a world famous actor.

Of course, you have to be a fan of very much over the top humor to enjoy this film but if you are...you certainly won't be disappointed. It becomes a bit boring from time to time but there are enough twists to keep you entertained till the end. There isn't a great idea behind the story but - as usual - it tries to teach you an important life-lesson by using comedy. In this case : your true love may walk beside you since a long time without you realizing it. Take a little time to stand still about your feelings and be true to your heart. Voilà...isn't that something !!! Some great jokes ( especially the scenes with the hotel manager are hilarious ) and nice acting by Gene Wilder and Carol Kane. That's all you need for an 90 minutes of brainless but heart-warming entertainment! Enjoy...