I just remembered a TV interview with Mel Brioks.
Seems he wanted John Wayne to play the part of the Waco Kid in Blazing Saddles and had sent him the script. Meanwhile ene Wilder had been given tbe script and read it and learned the part inside and out.
John Wayne returned the script and told Brooks it was brilliant but turned the film down as he "would never work in Hollywood again".
Brooks would not give Wilder the part and instead it was given to another actor. (Someone may know who as I cannot remember ). The actor was alleged to have a serious drink problem and was taken ill on the ser during the second day of shooting. Brooks rang Wilder who was in New York and still8 had the script. He jumped on the first plane to California and with the loss of 1 day of filming, Wilder stepped in and the rest is not just history but one of the funniest films ever. Yes one of my favourites too. The BBC menttion Wilder as the Willy Wonka actor - it was a good film (dark in parts) but not Wilder's best..
