The World's Greatest Lover

"Go ahead - laugh!"

1977 1h 29m EN

😐

5.6

MID

★5.6TMDB · 37

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

When frustrated movie studio mogul Adolph Zitz announces a talent search for a romantic leading man to rival the great Rudolph Valentino, thousands of hopefuls decend upon Hollywood. Rudy Valentine, a neurotic baker from Milwaukee, knows little about romance or acting. But when his wife leaves him for the real Valentino, Rudy goes to outrageous lengths to win the role of a lifetime and win back the love of his life.

“Go ahead - laugh!”

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Cast

Gene Wilder
Rudy Valentine / Rudy Hickman
Carol Kane
Annie Hickman
Dom DeLuise
Adolph Zitz
Fritz Feld
Tomaso Abalone
Carol Arthur
Woman in Record Store
Candice Azzara
Anne Calassandro
Carl Ballantine
Uncle Harry
Stanley Brock
Yes Man #2

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Gene Wilder
Writers: Gene Wilder
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

49 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Directed by Gene Wilder, shot by Gerald Hirschfeld. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by John Morris. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Anthony A. Pellegrino shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Gene Wilder and Carol Kane and Dom DeLuise carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Go ahead - laugh!".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0076933 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Gene Wilder directs. Gerald Hirschfeld behind the camera. John Morris scores. Anthony A. Pellegrino cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
249 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Directed by Gene Wilder, shot by Gerald Hirschfeld. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by John Morris. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Anthony A. Pellegrino shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Gene Wilder and Carol Kane and Dom DeLuise carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Go ahead - laugh!".
8IMDB entry: tt0076933 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 37 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.