Earlier this evening, my roommate Christopher Kain & I attended a special screening of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory in AMC Loews in downtown Boston in honor of Gene Wilder who passed away last week.
Although Wilder is most commonly associated for his film with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor, I suspect that if you are under 30 you probably know him best as Willy Wonka. Although Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory was released in 1971, it wasn't until 30 years ago that the movie saw release on home video and through regular viewings on network TV. Because of this Willy Wonka became even beloved by Millennials than The Waco Kid, Leo Bloom or Dr. Frankenstein.
I must admit I choked up for a moment when Willy Wonka told Charlie Bucket he was giving him the chocolate factory "he couldn't go on forever." And indeed neither could Gene Wilder. But his life's work shall endure along with our sweet imaginations.
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