Don Rickles Movies
Believe it or don't: comedian Don Rickles--the "Merchant of Venom," "The Caliph of Calumny," "Mister Warmth"--was once a dedicated student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a movie-struck kid, Rickles aspired to share the Big Screen with such idols as Clark Gable and James Cagney. He got his wish in his first film, 1958's Run Silent Run Deep, wherein Gable topped the cast. Rickles went on to receive critical plaudits for his villainous performance in 1960's The Rat Race, and also popped up with regularity on such TV series as The Thin Man and The Twilight Zone. But truly good roles for a short, baldpated young character actor were relatively few and far between. During a long period between acting assignments, Rickles decided to work up a nightclub act. He began as a traditional stand-up comic, but when annoyed by hecklers, he instinctively insulted the insulters back as a defense mechanism. Audiences laughed harder at his impromptu insults than his prepared material, and thus the dye was cast for Rickle's show-business future. The story goes that, upon spotting Frank Sinatra in one of his audiences, Rickles impulsively cried out "Come right in, Frank. Make yourself at home. Hit somebody." The normally combative Sinatra exploded with laughter, and from that point on Rickles was "in." While the bulk of his fame and fortune rested upon his nightclub work, Rickles still kept a hand in acting, playing guest spots on TV programs like F Troop, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy and Run for Your Life (he was particularly good in the last-named series as a washed-up comedian facing a statutory rape charge). As his own vitriolic "self" (though rumors persist that Rickles is a pussycat off-camera), he convulsed the stars of such variety series as The Dean Martin Show and The Andy Williams Show. When Dean Martin altered his series to a "roast" format in the early 1970s, Rickles could always be counted upon for a steady stream of hilarious invectives; conversely, he took it as well as he dished it out when the Friar's Club elected him Entertainer of the Year in 1974. The one sore spot in Rickles' latter-day career was his failure to sustain a weekly TV series. The 1968 variety outing The Don Rickles Show was axed after thirteen weeks, while a 1972 sitcom of the same name barely survived the season. He had better luck as star of the 1976 comedy series C.P.O. Sharkey, which lasted two years; but in 1993, Daddy Dearest, which co-starred Rickles with "neurotic" comedian Richard Lewis, was on and off in only two months. In comparison, Rickles has done quite well in films, with choice secondary roles in such productions as Where It's At?, Kelly's Heroes (1970) and several of the "Beach Party" frivolities. In 1995, after several years away from films, Don Rickles resurfaced with a solid supporting part in Martin Scorsese's Casino, and as the voice of a singularly abrasive Mr. Potato Head in the animated Toy Story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1965
Anticipating the imminent departure of Don Knotts from The Andy Griffith Show, the series' producers tested a number of actors to replace Knotts as Griffith's sidekick. One such actor was comedian Don Rickles, who played the title role in the April 12, 1965 episode "The Luck of Newton Monroe." A spectacularly unsuccessful travelling salesman, Newton suffers from a distinct lack of self-esteem. In trying to help Newton find his proper place in life, Andy hires him to paint the Taylor house-but Newton is as inept a painter as he is a peddler. "The Luck of Newton Monroe" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Rickles
"A family walks into a talent agent's office..." So begins "The Aristocrats," a joke kept mostly secret by stand-up comedians for decades. An intentionally "bad" joke, the laughs in The Aristocrats aren't in the punch-line (one of the only elements that's the same every time), but in the set-up, made unique by each comedian who tells it in an attempt to fashion the world's dirtiest joke. The cat was finally let out of the bag by Penn Jillette and Paul Provenza, the seasoned funnymen who gathered together a hundred people to tell a hundred different renditions of the bit. Among those presenting their personal take on The Aristocrats in this film of the same name are Jason Alexander, Robin Williams, Gilbert Gottfried, Jon Stewart, Emo Philips, and Chris Rock. The Aristocrats premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Insult comic Don Rickles guest stars as Fred, a compulsive gambler. While squiring a lovely young lady named Phyllis (Sylvia Lewis), Jed Clampett visits the race track, where he makes Fred's acquaintance. Worried that Jed might succumb to the temptation of playing the ponies, Granny tries to head Jed off at the pass -- and ends up being bitten by the gambling bug herself. Brassy Iris Adrian rounds out the supporting cast as Fred's wife. "Jed's Temptation" originally aired on February 24, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In the first episode of a two-part story, the staff of "The Alan Brady Show" is invited to put on a performance for the men in the state penitentiary. The convict arranging the show is Lyle Delp (Don Rickles), who turns out to be an old friend of Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). In flashback, Rob recalls how he and a pregnant Laura first met Lyle when the hapless habitual criminal tried to hold them up at gunpoint (or rather, "comb-point") in a stalled elevator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In the conclusion of a two-part story, lovable convict Lyle Delp (Don Rickles) arranges for the staff of "The Alan Brady Show" to give a special performance for the men at the state penitentiary. Dressed in a convict costume for a dance routine with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), Rob is mistaken for a genuine prisoner and locked up with a bunch of showbiz-happy inmates. The episode's musical highlights include "In Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home," "Sweet Sue," and -- delightfully appropriate to the prison setting -- "I've Got Your Number." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Fearful that he may not be able to overcome the temptation resulting from his "addiction" to upcoming guest Angie Dickinson, Artie (Rip Torn) asks Larry (Garry Shandling) to ensure that the two aren't left alone together. Despite Larry's best efforts, it isn't long before Artie leaves for an impromptu visit to Dickinson's Italian villa. Meanwhile, Larry's romance with Laura Leighton is somewhat dampened when he discovers that she, like the egocentric host, is obsessed with watching her own show. When Hank (Jeffrey Tambor) auditions for a voice role in Disney's Hercules, he discovers to his dismay that he has been cast as the village idiot instead of the eponymous hero. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Don Rickles guests in this episode as Eddie Rickles (what a stretch!), a former boxer who wants to buy a flower shop. When Mooney (Gale Gordon) denies Eddie the necessary $3000 loan, Lucy (Lucille Ball) takes matters into her own hands by arranging a comeback for the punchy pugilist in a bout with the much-younger Sonny Shaw (Bruce Mars). Her efforts to bolster Eddie's confidence succeed all too well--especially when, after getting her hands on the three grand by other means, Lucy must convince Eddie that he's all washed up! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Don Rickles, Cliff Norton, (more)
- 1968
The Money Jungle is an innovative mystery concerning some greedy oil companies in competition to secure off-shore drilling rights. Detective Blake Heller (John Ericson) is the hard drinking sleuth hired by the oil companies to try and keep the proceedings above board. He contends with a group that opposes the proposal and later finds there are elements against him in the very organization that hired him. Blake goes to local police lieutenant Dow Reeves (Nehemiah Persoff) when geologists start dropping like flies after being gunned down. Comedian Don Rickles stars in the straight role of crooked oilman Harry Darkwater in this offbeat detective story. Lola Albright croons two songs in her role as a gold-digging nightclub singer who turns out to be the ex-wife of one of the oil barons and owns lots of stock in the company. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Ericson, Lola Albright, (more)
- 1965
Herman (Fred Gwynne) wants to escort Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) to a dance at Marilyn's college, but is self-conscious about his lack of terpsichorean skills. Entering the portals of a crooked dance school operated by one Happy Havemeyer (played by legendary insult comic Don Rickles), Herman gleefully--and stupidly--signs up for 1500 lessons at a cost of $7.50 each. Making matters worse, Herman has somehow become convinced that he has been hired by Havemeyer as an instructor! Appearing as Havemeyer's partner-in-crime is Joyce Jameson, one of Hollywood's favorite "dumb blondes" (who of course was dumb like a fox!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
The Rabbit Trap was part of a cycle of 1950s films based on TV dramas; in this instance, the film was adapted from a teleplay by J.P. Miller. Ernest Borgnine plays a workaholic husband and father whose demanding job (the "rabbit trap" of the title) affords him little time for his wife (Bethel Leslie) and son (Kevin "Moochie" Corcoran). At long last, Borgnine earns a vacation, but his boss calls him back for an important assignment. Weighing his priorities, Borgnine chooses his family over his job. You could do that back in 1959. Appropriately, Rabbit Trap has an "all TV" cast, include Borgnine, Leslie, Jeanette Nolan and a young but already scrappy Don Rickles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ernest Borgnine, David Brian, (more)
- 1960
A somewhat uneven but still entertaining comedy-drama, The Rat Race, by director Robert Mulligan, co-stars Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds as Peter Hammond, Jr. and Peggy Brown, two performers who meet in New York and are thrown together by their mutual poverty. Peter arrives on a bus from the Midwest with his sax in hand and high hopes for a career. He gets a one-room walk-up and then meets Peggy, a dancer down on her luck who needs a place to stay. Ever the gentleman, Peter offers her space in his apartment and they string up a modesty curtain to divide their separate domains. But luck is not kind to Peter, right from the beginning. Some pranksters hose him down with cold water on his first trip into the city and he later gets his precious saxophone stolen by a trio of devious musicians/thieves. Peggy offers companionship in the face of difficulties, and before long the platonic relationship has distinct romantic overtones. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Debbie Reynolds, (more)
- 1961
First telecast March 3, 1961, this is a deft reworking of the first-season Twilight Zone episode "Mr. Bevis." Making his second appearance on the series, Burgess Meredith stars as Luther Dingle, a mild-mannered salesman whom a pair of Martians select for a most unusual experiment. The aliens endow Dingle with the strength of 300 men, a gift which he eventually abuses and loses. The ending of this one is a beaut. Don Rickles costars as an obnoxious horse player, displaying the same comic invective with which he infested his nightlclub act. Written by Rod Serling, "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" would be remade, after a fashion, as the third-season Twilight Zone entry "Cavender Is Coming." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burgess Meredith, Don Rickles, (more)
Created for the TNT television network, The Wool Cap is a remake of the 1962 film Gigot, which was written by and starred the legendary Jackie Gleason. This time around, it's Academy Award-nominee and Emmy winner William H. Macy (Fargo) handling the lead role, as well as teleplay and producer duties. Macy stars as Gigot, a curmudgeonly mute who works as the super at a worn-down apartment building. After living a lonely existence for most of his years, Gigot finds his life turned upside-down when he unwittingly finds himself in the care of a precocious young girl named Lou (Keke Palmer). Also starring Ned Beatty and Catherine O'Hara, The Wool Cap netted a 2005 Golden Globe nod for Macy. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William H. Macy, Keke Palmer, (more)
Toy Story was the first feature-length film animated entirely by computer. If this seems to be a sterile, mechanical means of moviemaking, be assured that the film is as chock-full of heart and warmth as any Disney cartoon feature. The star of the proceedings is Woody, a pull-string cowboy toy belonging to a wide-eyed youngster named Andy. Whenever Andy's out of the room, Woody revels in his status as the boy's number one toy. His supremacy is challenged by a high-tech, space-ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear, who, unlike Woody and his pals, believes that he is real and not merely a plaything. The rivalry between Woody and Buzz hilariously intensifies during the first half of the film, but when the well-being of Andy's toys is threatened by a nasty next-door neighbor kid named Sid -- whose idea of fun is feeding stuffed dolls to his snarling dog and reconstructing his own toys into hideous mutants -- Woody and Buzz join forces to save the day. Superb though the computer animation may be, what really heightens Toy Story are the voice-over performances by such celebrities as Tom Hanks (as Woody), Tim Allen (as Buzz), and Don Rickles (as an appropriately acerbic Mr. Potato Head). Director John Lasseter earned a special achievement Academy Award, while Randy Newman landed an Oscar nomination for his evocative musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of their friends from the toy box return in this computer-animated sequel to the 1995 hit Toy Story. This time around, Andy, the young boy who is the proud owner of most of our cast of characters, is off at summer camp, giving the toys a few weeks off to do as they please. Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) is unaware that in the years since his model went out of production, he's become a rare and valuable collector's item. An avid toy collector (voice of Wayne Knight) decides that he wants Woody for his collection and swipes him, so Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), and Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles) venture forth to rescue their kidnapped friend before Andy returns. Along with most of the original voice cast, composer Randy Newman returns with a new score and new songs. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2010
Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., and Finding Nemo co-director Lee Unkrich strikes out on his own with this installment into the popular computer-animated series detailing the adventures of wide-eyed cowboy doll Woody and space-ranger action figure Buzz Lightyear. Oscar-nominated scribe Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine) handles screenwriting duties. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Song, dance, sketches and plenty of comedy are featured in this burlesque-style film featuring Don Rickles and Don Adams. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1969
- R
A.C. Smith (David Janssen) is a Las Vegas casino operator whose son visits during his summer vacation from Princeton. His son Andy (Robert Drivas) would rather go to Europe, but daddy dearest wants him to learn the ropes of the gambling business. Pappy approves of and pays for a showgirl to teach his son an extracurricular lesson in erotica. Molly (Brenda Vaccaro) is A.C.'s worldly secretary who watches the office, and Don Rickles has a small role as a crooked blackjack dealer who is caught with his fingers in the pie. Andy catches on quickly and acquires two-thirds of the controlling interest in the casino. He'll have the best story about how he spent his summer vacation when he returns (if he does) to the hallowed halls of Princeton and Ivy League living. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Janssen, Robert Drivas, (more)
Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) is a brilliant but unorthodox researcher whose work with human sight has yielded an experimental chemical that may vastly increase the range of what we can see. Despite the misgivings and warnings of the two people closest to him, Dr. Diane Fairfax (Diana Van Der Vlis) and Dr. Sam Brant (Harold J. Stone), he uses it on himself and finds that he is able to look inside the human body in real-time. This gives him the ability to save the life of a patient in surgery, but in the process, he offends a top physician and calls his own judgement into question. He won't stop or even slow his experiments, however, and when Sam is accidentally killed trying to stop him, he is forced to flee. Soon he is living the life of a hunted man, and is protected and exploited by Crane (Don Rickles), a larcenous carny-man who sets him up as a "healer" on skid row, taking peoples' pennies while Xavier makes his diagnoses. After getting away from Crane, Xavier is found by Diane, who joins him on the run, and by now his own worst nature is coming to the surface. They head to Las Vegas, where his ability to see through objects allows him to win at most of the games in front of him, but he is discovered because of the attention that his "streak" draws to him. Pursued out of town, he heads out to the desert, and by now his ability to see transcends the boundaries of earthly space, leading him to a terrible quandry and a hideous solution to his plight, inspired by an encounter with a preacher. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ray Milland, Diana Van Der Vlis, (more)
