Gilda Live

Gilda Radner was such a sweetheart and there was a sort of purity to her comedy, which made the spicier bits she would occasionally drop in funnier. To me her characterizations were hit and miss though, and rarely more than amusing. The highlight was the fast-talking Rosanne Rosannadanna, the lowlight, the mean-spirited version of Nadia Comaneci, which reeked of Cold War stereotypes. Seeing her play characters like the drunk rock 'n' roller flailing about on-stage or the little girl making a lot of noise in her room just didn't have enough cleverness either. To be honest, I liked Don Novello's Father Guido Sarducci character more, and was glad he got several slots. As for Gilda, it's a case where I love the person more than the comedy, at least for a full-length show.

I had seen this years ago, it was a hit and miss show with Gilda doing some of her most famous SNL characters, which are the best parts. Director Mike Nichols chose to film some backstage stuff which I don't think was needed. Father Guido Sarducci (Don Novello) is given a bit too much footage.

But Gilda provides some hilarious moments with characters like Judy Miller, the little Brownie who does her own fantasy TV show in her room, nerdy Lisa Loopner playing "The Way We Were' at a high school recital, Olympic gymnast Nadia Comaneci ("Aren't I cute?") and gross newscaster Rosanne Rosannadanna making a guest speech at a journalism school graduation. Some good musical moments like the vulgar "Let's Talk Dirty To The Animals' and the sweet "Honey" at the end.

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.

It's no more complicated than this: of all the comediennes that came from the early days of "Saturday Night Live", Gilda Radner was the funniest.

"Gilda Live" shows her doing what she does best. Not only is there a sketch featuring our old friend Emily Litella telling an interesting children's story but also a menagerie of other characters in routines that are funny, touching and somehow heartbreaking.

The biggest scene has to be Gilda singing the song "Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals". Just watch it "Gilda Live"; you'll see why.

Nine stars. Big laughs for the little lady.

I envy anyone who had the opportunity to see this performed live. From Emily Littela to Lisa Lupner we get to see Gilda at her comedic best. The highlight for me is the song that closes the show titled Kiss Me With My Clothes On. It is a very sweet and touching song about being in love and the joys of the first intimate moments whilst remaining fully clothed. But it is difficult to watch this and not feel sad at what we loss with her passing. You needn't be a fan of SNL to enjoy this performance. It reminds us what an amazing talent she was.