Fans of Gene Wilder — aren’t we all — will be able to pay tribute to the late comedy legend by seeing two of his most iconic films at seven ArcLight theaters across the country, the cinema chain announced Friday.
This Saturday and Sunday, ArcLight will screen “Blazing Saddles” and/or “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” at its Southern California theaters in Hollywood, La Jolla, Sherman Oaks, Culver City and Santa Monica, as well as its Bethesda, Md., and Chicago cinemas.
AMC Theaters also announced a nationwide Wilder tribute. “Willy Wonka” will play at 5 p.m. at 55 AMC theaters across the country, followed by “Blazing Saddles” at 7:30. Tickets cost $5 per movie.
ArcLight is a much smaller chain than AMC, with only 10 theaters across the country and six in the Los Angeles area. The chain is a subsidiary of the Decurion Corporation, also the parent of Pacific Theaters.
Wilder died on Aug. 29 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The 83-year-old actor’s performance in “Willy Wonka” made him beloved by generations of children around the world, and his death was met by an outpouring of love and heartfelt tributes from across Hollywood.
All proceeds from ArcLight’s tribute shows will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.