Happy Birthday, Gene Wilder. Etcetera, etcetera. Good day!

Gene Wilder is a fellow Wisconsinite, growing up in Milwaukee, and he's an incredibly wonderful, kind actor and he's 73 today - can you believe it?

He was great in Young Frankenstein and Stir Crazy - lots of stuff. Check out this scene from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". My musician buddy Nick in Iowa and I crack up every time we watch this flick:

Grandpa Joe: Mr. Wonka?

Willy Wonka: I am extraordinarily busy, sir.

Grandpa Joe: I just wanted to ask about the chocolate - Uh, the lifetime supply of chocolate... for Charlie. When does he get it?

Willy Wonka: He doesn't.

Grandpa Joe: Why not?

Willy Wonka: Because he broke the rules.

Grandpa Joe: What rules? We didn't see any rules. Did we, Charlie?

Willy Wonka: Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy - "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained," et cetera, et cetera...”Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera...”Memo bis punitor delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole fizzy lifting drinks. You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You lose! Good day sir!

Grandpa Joe: You're a crook. You're a cheat and a swindler! That's what you are! How could you do a thing like this, build up a little boy's hopes and then smash all his dreams to pieces? You're an inhuman monster!

Willy Wonka: I said "Good day!"

Classic. Watch the You Tube video below of Gene Wilder at one of his "wildest" moments in the movie.