Gilda Live

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!!!!!

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.

"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!

I was one of the (very few) people who saw this in a movie theatre. It was a filming of her comedy act on stage with unfunny Don Novello popping up so she could go backstage and change costumes. When I first saw it I hated it. I had never watched SNL so I was completely at a loss at who these characters were she was playing. The only funny part I found was her song "Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals" (which alone gave the film an R rating).

Years later I saw it again after seeing reruns on the original SNL. This time I knew who the characters were and I loved it! I was laughing out loud a few times and came to realize what a great comedienne she was. The only bad part is this comes across as (obviously) a little stagy and Novello's segments are just horribly unfunny. Still it's worth seeing for Radner's comedic talent. However you SHOULD have a basic working knowledge of the characters she played on TV. Otherwise you might not enjoy it.

I give it a 7--Novello is horribly unfunny and the staginess does wear you down.