A few weeks ago, with zero fanfare, Warner Bros. released a DVD version of Gilda Live, the Mike Nichols-directed concert pic of Gilda Radner’s 1979 one-woman show. The disc — a bare-bones straight-from-video transfer — ended up under the piles of new releases on my desk until yesterday, when I found it, popped it in my computer, and smiled for 96 minutes straight. (Check out the clip below of Gilda’s inspired tap dance “audition.”)
I can’t judge Gilda Live in any sort of objective way. It replayed endlessly on Comedy Central when I was younger, and the skits, the songs, the characters — including golden-age SNL faves like Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner, and Roseanne Roseannadanna — are all too ingrained in my childhood memory. The only thing I can say without a doubt is that the movie gives ample space to the talent of one of the all-time great comediennes. And for that alone, it’s worth a watch.
I’m curious to know: Are there any other Gilda Live fans out there?
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How did I miss this!? I am ordering it right now!
I begged my Mom to let me stay up late enough to watch SNL because I loved Gilda. She, Madeline Khan and Carol Burnett are the three funniest women who’ve ever lived. Thanks for posting a story that pertains to something other than Twilight!
You bet there are Gilda fans out here. As much as there have been great Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time-Playerssince the beginning, no one beats the original cast. We lost Gilda way too soon. As funny as she was she was just as much a class act all the way.
You’re not the only one, Adam.
I had this (and Gilda’s SNL Best of) on VHS when I was younger and I’d watch one or the other almost everyday until I wore out both tapes.
The timing of this is so weird for me. I just had the “saccharine” song stuck in my head about a week ago and I hadn’t heard it in at least 10 years.
Thanks for the heads up!
Well duh…IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING…RIGHT…if you don’t know who Gilda is…then you don’t like comedy and you must not have a sense of humor(or common sense)she is a legend and was taken from us way too soon. Talent never dies…LOVE YOU GILDA….
Love, love, love Gilda! She was funny!!!!
This show should be played on Comedy Central, WEEKLY!
Miss Gilda terribly!
I loved Gilda. I loved this show too. It was one of the early HBO specials if I remember correctly. If fact, I played this album for my 20 yar old son not too long ago. It has her best characters that can still make me laugh these many years later. But, the final track. “Honey” is so sweet to me now, I get teary.
I love Gilda! Where can I buy this?
Yes! Gilda Radner…reminds me of the good ole days when SNL was actually funny.
OK, Adam, you are my new future ex-husband! What a great performer she was. I had the LP (round disc with grooves that played with a needle, young’uns) and memorized every word when I was in high school. Let’s Talk Dirty to the Animals and I Love to be Unhappy were my audition songs. Gimme Mick… Gilda, you are missed!
Gilda Rules!! I am ordering it today!
What’s amazing to me is just how sweet and good-natured this clip is. Gilda had a charm, in addition to her talent, that is in short supply these days.
Excited beyond belief! Yd it take so damn long? Ive worn my record out like mad,now Im onto the cd. Shes hysterically funny! Sad she went so young tho! We love Gilda!