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Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) Reviews

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007)
Member Rating:  
As one of the few heavyweight comedians of Vegas's "Golden Age" to topline standup routines in 21st century Glitter Gulch - a time and place that saw him still reeling in massive audiences well into his 70s and 80s - Don Rickles qualifies as a show business legend. Rickles, of course, pioneered the use of insult comedy to mercilessly rib, skewer, and cut down to size anyone who happened to fall into his line of fire, earning him the sobriquets "Mr. Warmth" and "The Merchant of Venom" and lending a whole new meaning to the term "hockey puck." This approach, which seemed unprecedented and even outrageously uncouth in the late 1950s and early 1960s, eventually won Rickles legions of fans and innumerable protégés within show business - everyone from Richard Pryor to Chris Rock and Sarah Silverman. Director John Landis (National Lampoon's Animal House, Trading Places) stands at the forefront of Rickles's fan club and created the documentary Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project as an homage to the comic's life and career. Landis intercuts footage from the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts and Rickles's appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, with extended clips from the shtickmeister's comedy routines and on-camera interviews in which the comedian reflects at length on his approach to comedy and journey through showbusiness. Admirers, colleagues and followers of Rickles also turn up to offer their views on the comedian - including Martin Scorsese, Christopher Guest, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Sidney Poitier, Clint Eastwood and many others. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Starring:
Don RicklesClint Eastwood, (more)
Director(s):
John Landis
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(12 member reviews)  


Member Reviews


Robert R.

We were very dissapointed in Mr. Warmth. We are big Don Rickles fans and the Documentary did not have enough of his performances, Disc 2 shou;d stay in the box. Language was unnecessary! I don not recommend watching this. Better to get the Deam Martin Roast Vedios. thx,

Yes   |   No


Ralph G.

DISC ONE: You know they're trying to fill time when it starts out with long shots of buildings, empty auditoriums, Rickle's clothes in his dressing room waiting to be worn, etc. Lots of interviews with famous people talking about him. I fast forwarded thru it, looking for some performance video. Even a clip of him on the Tonight Show didn't have any. Finally, at the end, lights on, drum roll, stage announcer introduces him - and we cut to him leaving the stage at the end of his performance. What a rip off.

Yes   |   No


Melissa B.

I put the entire set in my queue only to receive the second disc first. It was not funny, just a bunch of interviews with comedians and Don. If I would have known that, and that information is not disclosed in the details from Blockbuster, I would have split the series and only rented number one.

Yes   |   No


Greg A.

Don't watch this with your kids. I never realized how much foul language and racial humor Rickles uses in his act. Don't get me wrong, Rickles is as funny as all get out, but there is a reason you don't often see his brand of humor any more. I wish that they would have put all the biographic stuff on one disk and used an entire disk to just show one of his entire Vegas routines. The biographic stuff makes the story lag toward the middle. However, the movie is worth watching for the comedy material. The don't make them like Mr. Warmth anymore.

Yes   |   No


MURRAY S.

Enjoyable, but tantalizing. Too many very short snipets instead of at least a few full presentations. Would have loved to see more of the "Dean Martin Roasts". Disc 2 was a patched up job that doesn't even rate a one star. One a terrible way to honor a fine comedian. Except for Bob Newhart, most of the comedians couldn't even enunciate in any distinguisable way

Yes   |   No


MARVIN G.

More of a tribute to a comedic legend than a true documentary, this John Landis directed love letter to the great Mr. Rickles is very good none the less. Consisting of various actors and directors of note giving their praise for the beloved comedian, interspersed with clips from his Vegas shows, late show appearances, old films, Friars' Roasts and home movies with longtime friend, Bob Newhart. Just hearing the man tell stories, or talk about his wonderful (and wonderfully Jewish) mother, or doing lovingly stupid imitations of his wife is delightfully entertaining. He's a man who takes his fame completely in stride, but not for granted. So what are ya waiting' for? Go check it out, ya hockey puck.

Yes   |   No


Stephen F.

I really enjoyed this documentary. If you are looking for Rickles concert movie this is not it. What I enjoyed was the sense of show business history and especially Las Vegas back in the glory days. Rickles is truely one of the giants and like Sinatra and Elvis a once in a life time performer. There are a few funny stories on disc two but not really worth renting.

Yes   |   No


Monte F.

Director John Landis does a fine job here with the life story of Don Rickles. Plenty of laughs and testimonials from a bevy of stars, with great nostalgic film of old Las Vegas in the era of the 50's and 60's.

Yes   |   No


Mary T.

Unfortunately, I can't get the first disc. The second is a waste of time. It's a few anecdotes from comedians and some other stuff. I watched about 1/3 of it and didn't laugh once. Maybe if I were a stand-up comedian I'd find some of it interesting, but none of it was funny. Don't waste your time.

Yes   |   No


VERNON R.

I guess I have been sheltered for 50 years by only seeing Don's performances on television. I had heard that his style could be a little rough around the edges but until I saw some scenes on this DVD I didn't realize how "rough" it could get. I do not appreciate his form of humor. I cannot recommend this DVD to anyone.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
     
    Robert R.

    We were very dissapointed in Mr. Warmth. We are big Don Rickles fans and the Documentary did not have enough of his performances, Disc 2 shou;d stay in the box. Language was unnecessary! I don not recommend watching this. Better to get the Deam Martin Roast Vedios. thx,

    Yes   |   No

     
    Ralph G.

    DISC ONE: You know they're trying to fill time when it starts out with long shots of buildings, empty auditoriums, Rickle's clothes in his dressing room waiting to be worn, etc. Lots of interviews with famous people talking about him. I fast forwarded thru it, looking for some performance video. Even a clip of him on the Tonight Show didn't have any. Finally, at the end, lights on, drum roll, stage announcer introduces him - and we cut to him leaving the stage at the end of his performance. What a rip off.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Melissa B.

    I put the entire set in my queue only to receive the second disc first. It was not funny, just a bunch of interviews with comedians and Don. If I would have known that, and that information is not disclosed in the details from Blockbuster, I would have split the series and only rented number one.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 12 Reviews