Love, Gilda (2018)

In a heartfelt narrative woven from her own words, 'Love, Gilda' dives into the vivacious world of beloved actress and comedienne, Gilda Radner. The film paints an intimate portrait of Gilda's life, pieced together through a treasure trove of audio recordings, handwritten notes, rare home movies, and interviews with friends and fellow comedians—many of whom were profoundly influenced by her legacy and are now SNL alumnae themselves. Born into an affluent family in Detroit, Michigan, the film charts Gilda's journey from her childhood, marked by the tragic loss of her father at fourteen, to her decision to abandon university and chase love—a recurring theme throughout her life, often with professional colleagues. It was this pursuit of love that led her into the spotlight, performing on stage with various comedy troupes, where she found herself truly at home. Radner's undeniable charm and relentless determination to make people laugh, even when the scripted jokes fell flat, propelled her to professional success. Her reputation as a natural comedienne earned her the distinction of being the first cast member of the groundbreaking SNL. Yet, underneath her Hollywood success lay hidden struggles—an eating disorder concealed beneath her infectious humor, and the constant battle against body image issues, a fight she had been waging since her youth. The narrative takes a poignant turn when Radner meets Gene Wilder on the set of 'Hanky Panky'. Despite already being married, she falls in love and eventually marries Wilder, marking a new chapter in her life. However, the roller coaster of her life takes a tragic turn as she battles ovarian cancer, a fight that would ultimately claim her life in 1989. 'Love, Gilda' offers an unfiltered glimpse into the raw and whimsical life of Gilda Radner, a performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. This film is not just an exploration of Gilda's life, but also a celebration of her spirit, resilience, and the unforgettable legacy she left behind.

Love, Gilda is a documentary movie featuring Gilda Radner and directed by Lisa D’Apolito.

Love, Gilda is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Crackle, DistroTV, Plex, Plex Player, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Love, Gilda on Amazon Video, Apple TV, FlixFling, Google Play Movies, Redbox, Vudu and YouTube.