The Woman in Red Information

The Woman in Red is a 1984 romantic comedy film starring and directed by Gene Wilder. It co-stars Charles Grodin, Gilda Radner, Joseph Bologna, Judith Ivey and Kelly LeBrock.

Plot

San Francisco ad man Teddy Pierce is amused by, then obsessed with a beautiful woman whose red dress goes whooshing over her head from a gust of wind as she crosses a grate. Teddy is happily married to Didi, but he can't get this woman out of his mind. Encouraged by his friends Buddy, Joe and Michael, he tries to ask her for a date but mistakenly phones Ms. Milner, a plain ad-agency employee, instead.

Teddy ultimately does become acquainted with the woman, a model named Charlotte. He begins using elaborate ruses to see her socially without his wife finding out. Meanwhile, he incurs the wrath of Ms. Milner, whom he stands up. Events come to a head in Charlotte's high-rise apartment, where she invites Teddy into her bed. He is thrilled until her airline pilot husband suddenly comes home. Teddy ends up on a ledge, where passersby below believe he is a potential suicide about to jump.

The sub plot of the film concerns Teddy's friendship with his three friends (Buddy, Joey and Michael), their intimate relationships with others, and the way their personal decisions both intrigue and affect Teddy.

Cast

• Gene Wilder as Theodore Pierce
• Kelly LeBrock as Charlotte
• Gilda Radner as Ms. Milner
• Charles Grodin as Buddy
• Joseph Bologna as Joe
• Judith Ivey as Didi Pierce
• Michael Huddleston as Michael
• Arthur Bailey as Jocko
• Kyra Stempel as Missy Pierce
• Robin Ignico as Becky Pierce
• Viola Kates Stimpson as Mama Dell

Background

The film is a remake of An Elephant Can Be Extremely Deceptive also known as Pardon mon affaire, directed by Yves Robert, and written by Jean-Loup Dabadie and Yves Robert. The film inspired other remakes of previously imported French films, including The Birdcage and Happy New Year. It was filmed in the summer of 1982.

Response

The film was a big hit and helped make Kelly LeBrock famous for the nod of blowing skirt and grate she did, in the tradition of Marilyn Monroe's stint in The Seven Year Itch. Later she met and married actor Steven Seagal. Around that same time, Gene Wilder started a relationship with co-star Gilda Radner; he married her after the making of this film.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Stevie Wonder and features performances by Wonder and also Dionne Warwick. Wonder received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "I Just Called to Say I Love You".