Gilda Live is a filmed version of the comedic one-woman show performance of Gilda Radner Live on Broadway. Originally titled Gilda Radner: Live From New York (renamed Gilda Live for the film debut), it had a steady success as a play but the movie itself and the record as well, both released in March 1980, were complete flops with critics and the public.
To me however I had no idea this film existed until HBO ran it in 1981. I do not know why Wikipedia states "The Film was a flop with Critics and audiences alike". If the public did not show up for the film then maybe its because "They had no idea at the time there was film to begin with".
Long before her death this film developed a cult following with not only "Saturday Night Live Fans" but other people as well. The film was readily available for years on VHS and was a popular rental. For some reason it took 12 years after the initial release of the DVD format that Warner Brothers finally released it on DVD.
Now when I first saw the film in 1981 I loved every minute of it. Now 37 years later the film is still funny. Most of the sketches hold up and you really see "Gilda at her best and what a hard show this was for her to do".
Even you are not a huge "Gilda Radner Fan" you will still find this funny. The pace of the film is quick and if you don't like one sketch it there will be another you will love.
I would highly recommend buying this film and passing it around to friends for them to watch. Trust me when Summer hits and SNL is in re-runs this is a valuable alternative.
