Gilda Live

"Gilda Live" may be the best concert movie ever. It's got Gilda Radner performing some of her "SNL" skits on stage. Whether it's nerdy Lisa Loopner playing "The Way We Were", Emily ("Never mind!") Litella, or Roseanne ("It's always something!") Roseannadanna, she always has something. Don (Father Sarducci) Novello gives some of his usual commentary; notice the "coincidenza". It's really too bad that Gilda Radner died. She was really funny (her song at the beginning of this movie is truly something else).

I never would have envisioned Mike Nichols directing a concert movie. Now that's always something!

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 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.

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.

As one of the first female performers for "Saturday Night Live" back when it premiered in 1975, Gilda Radner help shape the face of comedy. "Gilda Live" is a nostalgic look back on comedienne Gilda Radner live show from 1980. Bringing to life many of the characters she made famous on SNL, Gilda Radner's performance on stage is highlighted by the fact that it's live and uncensored. Many fans have noted that even with it's R rating at the time of it's release, the mostly "Adult" oriented performance was way more refreshing than watching it on TV. Many film critics in 1980, did not care for the movie at the time. However, after many years later...the film has become a true attestment of it's time in comedy. Though the material may seem some what dated and old, fans of the actress look back on it with such fond memories. "Gilda Live" is such a precious treasure of a film showing the late comedienne at her best both on and off the stage. A must watch for die hard fans!!!!!