What If Richard Pryor got the lead role?
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justanicknamed — 10 years ago(March 30, 2016 06:13 AM)
I don't mean that he would have OD'd. I mean that what made this movie work was the innocence of Bart. Other than the shovel incident, he did nothing wrong. And, in the context of the time in which the movie took place, something like that would have been how most people handled that situation.
I don't think Pryor was innocent enough to have played the role. He always had a look about him as if he was up to no good, or at least had a chip on his shoulder.
Don't get me wrong, I've liked a lot of stuff that he's done. I just don't think he could have pulled this role off. -
bobbiekaye69 — 10 years ago(March 31, 2016 09:42 AM)
Richard Pryor was a great comedian and comic writer, but he didn't have the charisma that Cleavon Little had. Richard Prior may have been funnier, but I don't think the movie would have been as great.
I intend to live forever.
So far, so good. -
PeterBlues — 9 years ago(May 16, 2016 09:34 AM)
i know this could have been another instalment of the wilder/pryor movies, but i'm so used to the scenes between cleavon little and wilder in this that i know it by heart, and i think they work great together so i'm not negative on it thinking what might have been. the name cleavon little sound a bit like a rock musician, thinking of little richard ofcourse. one of my favorite scenes is when the drunk starts ranting and you can't hear what he's saying and another man stands up and says "now who can argue with that", as if he has just heard a great speech.
please don't leave me,
never meant to seem cruel in your eye,
i was only foolin around,
you dropped the play and walked off,
i cant make it on my own,
beg you on my knees,
please don't leave me. -
drunkbear — 9 years ago(May 16, 2016 01:41 PM)
I think Pryor would have done just fine as Bart. Despite his 'earthy' reputation, he really is a good actor. Considering the chemistry he and Gene Wilder showed in 'Stir Crazy,' Pryor as Bart is a very interesting might-have-been.
- HOW kin I be so brainless, when I is so smart?
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cabbageboy316 — 9 years ago(September 07, 2016 03:39 PM)
I too thought about Pryor in the role but ultimately think Little was better than Pryor would have been. Cleavon Little had a certain leading man quality to him that made him a better fit for the role. I can imagine Little with Count Basie's orchestra backing him, with the designer western outfit, being seduced by the vampish Madeline Kahn. Pryor though? Eh, not so much.