Silver Streak (1976)
Film:
DVD:

Written by Colin Higgins
Directed by Arthur Hiller
Starring Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor, Jill Clayburgh, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty

Features:

• Theatrical trailer
  

Released by: Fox
Rating: PG
Region: 1
Anamorphic: Yes.

My Advice: Rent it.

George (Wilder) is taking a trip by train to Chicago. It's a pretty decent jaunt, seeing as how he manages to hook up with the lovely Hilly (Clayburgh). Unfortunately, things go awry when he sees Hilly's boss apparently get murdered, but then can't seem to prove anything. Of course, what he can prove is that things are getting really hairy all of a sudden. Thungs are all over the place and nothing is as it seems...then George gets pitched off the train. Now he has to figure out just what the hell kinda conspiracy is going on...and save his new lady friend as well.

Man, there's nothing like watching a Gene Wilder movie to make you miss Gene Wilder. The same goes for Richard Pryor, and when you see them together like this (their first team-up), you just really miss that classic comedic duo. The film is silly, it's a Hitchcock knockoff of the first order, and it's really over the top. Wilder and Pryor make you forget about the film's shortcomings--and there are a few--by simply being hilarious. As long as you turn the old brain rheostat down a few notches, you'll be fine. McGoohan is on hand to provide the typical Evil McGoohan presence, and even Ned Beatty and Richard Kiel show up to pitch in.

While we're happy to see it hit DVD (and survive the transition in anamorphic format), it's a shame that there's no features here beyond just the trailer. While this probably isn't considered much in the way of being worthy of features, like we said, it was the first Pryor/Wilder on-screen collaboration, so you'd think that would count for something. If not a commentary (since they're both with us still, although I don't know about Pryor's ability to contribute, and as far as the major players go, only scribe Higgins is lost to us), then a small featurette as a tribute to the two of them working together. Hell, you wouldn't even have to interview them, just get comedians to talk about what an influence the films were. But alas, nothing.

The film is worth having if you're a fan of this particular comedy team and just want to be a completist about it. However, the lack of features won't be enticing enough to the casual watcher. Still, don't fear the 70s...it's worth a rental.