Gene Wilder, Star Of 'Willy Wonka' And 'Young Frankenstein,' Dies

Actor and writer Gene Wilder, who brought his signature manic energy to
films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and the
role that forever ensconced him in the collective memory of a
generation of children, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has
died. He was 83.

Wilder died early Monday at his home in
Stamford, Conn., of complications from Alzheimer's disease, according to
a statement from his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman.

"The
decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn't
vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile
or call out to him 'there's Willy Wonka,' would not have to be then
exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight
to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion," the statement read.
"He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."


In
roles such as Blazing Saddles' washed-up gunslinger, and Silver
Streak's book editor, he exuded a gentleness and warmth. But he also
fully committed to every performance.

Young Frankenstein, the
1974 film in which he played the grandson of the infamous Victor
Frankenstein, begins with a scene that shows off the deftness of his
comedic gifts. As the pompous surgeon Frederick Frankenstein concludes a
lecture, Wilder seems cool and slick, but when questioned about his
grandfather's work by a student, he ramps up into a hilarious screaming
fit, allowing us to see just how fragile the young doctor's composure
truly is.

As the eccentric chocolatier of Willy Wonka & the
Chocolate Factory, Wilder tempered the on-screen hysterics for which he
was known with a slyly mysterious quality that lent the children's film a
peculiar, menacing edge. Famously, he refused to take the role unless
his character could make his entrance limping out of the factory,
planting his cane in the ground, and doing a somersault.

When
director Mel Stuart asked him why, Wilder said, "Because from that time
on, no one will know if I'm lying or telling the truth."

As a
result, it's Wilder's performance in Wonka that's perhaps his most
indelible: He shades his cheerful confectioner with a capriciousness
that serves to keep a film about a candy factory from feeling
saccharine.

For Some Trump Loyalists, It's Personality Over Policy

Steven Boz performs outside of a Trump campaign office. He says he loves Trump's "attitude."
Sarah McCammon/NPR
Immigration has been a galvanizing issue in Donald Trump's campaign from the beginning. But in recent days, the Republican nominee has been adjusting his position — first suggesting he'd be willing to "soften" calls to deport people in the country illegally, then returning to a more hard-line stance after criticism from prominent conservatives.

But many of Trump's staunchest supporters seem unconcerned about his apparent policy shifts.

Over the weekend, Trump supporters streamed in and out of a new campaign office opening in the battleground state of Nevada, collecting yard signs and bumper stickers. Outside, Las Vegas-based musician Steven Boz performed a ballad to the real estate developer.

Boz has flowing blond hair, and wears sunglasses as he performs. Outside the Las Vegas office park, he set up a makeshift stage on an oriental rug in front of his white tour van. He said he loves Trump's "attitude."

"I can relate to it," he says. "It's like, say what's real and get on with it. And stop pussyfootin' around, people."

Boz says illegal immigration is a problem, but when it comes to policy, he trusts Trump to figure that out. "Whatever he wants to do, I'll back him. That's all I can say. It's tough," Boz says.

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Judy Callahan says she supports Trump but listens "to half of what Trump says."
Sarah McCammon/NPR
Inside, Judy Callahan, 69, says she's preparing to retire from her job as a hospice cook — and devote her free time to volunteering for the Trump campaign. Wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, Callahan says she's supported the real estate developer from the beginning.

"I just love him — I love every second of him," she says.

Callahan says she opposes amnesty and wants Trump to be "strong" on immigration, but it doesn't bother her that his policy positions can sometimes seem unclear.

"I listen to half of what Trump says," Callahan explains. "And then I move on because you have to get people's attention."

Callahan says that strategy worked to help him knock out his Republican primary opponents, but she thinks he will develop more specific policies if he's elected.

"And not everything Trump says is true — I mean, it's not true like it's in concrete," Callahan says. "He said he would stop the border flow, he would build some kind of wall, and he would work on the people that are here. That's all there is; the rest of it's kind of fluff."

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Monty Kiefer, 75, says Trump's ideas are part of a "negotiation," rather than a firm policy proposal.
Sarah McCammon/NPR
Monty Kiefer, 75, says Trump's words are often just a starting point, rather than a firm policy proposal.

"He's a negotiator. He takes a position to start a negotiation," Kiefer says.

He says Trump has been consistent about what he sees as the most important thing — getting rid of what he calls the "bad" people.

Last week, Trump told Fox News he could "work with" people who are in the country illegally and have not committed crimes. That sounded much like a path to legalization — an idea Trump had previously criticized as "weak" when proposed by his GOP primary rivals.

"That's a negotiating point," Keifer says. "Remember, he wrote the book The Art of the Deal."