Customer Reviews

Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don Rickles is a king of comedy. His style of humor will be lost when he is gone. He does not tell stories, he insults and audiences have loved him for over 40 years. There are very few who can do what Rickles does and get away with it! His nickname Mr Warmth is known everywhere if you know comedy

However he is also an actor with many TV and film appearances to his credit, everything from X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes, Beach Party/Bikini Beachto Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (2 Pack). This actor did everything from drama to comedy and made you believe.

So the question is Who is the real Don Rickles?

this special film is part of discovering Rickles. The man, the comic , the actor and human being. You see him, before he goes out into show and some of his stage act. Note this is not a concert film of his act, it shows highlights of his act. Other comedians from Richard Lewis to Chris Rock discuss in interviews what makes Rickles a comedian they admire.

You see in film clips from the Tonight Show appearances and Dean Martin roasts, you see the classic insult comic at his best in a medium that showcases his talents. My favorite piece is the Tonight Show's Johnny Carson miffed at Rickles breaking his cigarette box on the previous Tonight Show where he guest hosted, going over Rickles's show which was taping next door and reaming the insult comic out.

Also You see Rickles the actor with interviews from Filmmaker Roger Corman and others. You see interviews and clips showing how he and Ernest Borgnine & Rickles did the Odd Couple on stage to how the comic became the voice of Mr. Potato Head

After all is said and done, you have a little more depth of Rickles the man and performer. It is good this was done now. He seems old and frail for 82. This film showcases a major bit player and a major comic legend. In most documentaries you are bored to tears when it is over, I wished this tribute would have lasted longer...I just feel we scratched the surface of the man

Share the Warmth, get this DVD

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

As a kid growing up in the 70s, I loved Don Rickles. I always tried to stay up to see him on The Tonight Show, and I caught his act several times in Vegas and on Miami Beach. I even had a "Cracked" magazine devoted to him, which came out around the time of CPO Sharkey.

This is a loving tribute by steady hand John Landis, and places Don's humor, love, and affection in context by taking the viewer through the times in which Rickles worked. Vegas, Miami Beach, the mob, Frankie, Johnny, great interview segments with close friend Bob Newhart and many others, this is a heartwarming and very affectionate tribute to a great comic and great show biz legend.

I saw Mr. Rickles show on HBO and it is absolutely wonderful and very heart warming. I had read Rickles Book and knew some of his story already but this is icing on the cake. He did an excellent job of gathering all his family and friends together to make this story and their side, as well as his side, is such a tribute to a lifetime of someone who has made the world a better place to live. At first, I thought it might be a bit too vulgar to watch with my parents but then I thought, "He's THEIR generation!", and I was right, they laughed their socks off and have told everyone to look for this show on HBO. When I saw that there is a DVD coming out too, I couldn't wait to order that to go with my Dad's huge collection of Don Rickles movies and Dean Martin Roasts. Thanks to Mr. Rickles for putting such a great effort into this project. It shows and it's worth it. He's called "Mr. Warmth", as a sarcastic way of how he reacts to people during his shows. But, to us who have read his book and watched this show, he is a warm-hearted soul just doing what he does best...entertaining! Love him!

This is a very funny DVD. Lots of Don onstage as well as clips from various people speaking about Don. The section of Don coming out onstage in Vegas is well worth the purchase price by itself. "Stop the goddamn band!!" CLASSIC!! If you are a Don Rickles fan then you should already own this DVD...if not...SHAME ON YOU!!

Growing up i loved it when Don Rickles would be scheduled on the Tonight Show lineup. He had a quick wit that surpassed those around him and when he went off into his wild mental/verbal assualts he was in a zone all his own. No one could lovingly cut people to shreds like Rickles. He seemed hateful and yet funny at the same time but there was always something special that came through from him that made you love him. He forced you to laugh at your own self no matter what background you came from and taught us all that humor and laughter is universal and the truth may hurt but laughter doeth good like a medicine. His gift was unique and only Robin Williams can hang with him when it comes to the art of fast verbal and mental connection and still be outrageous. This DVD captures some of that gift that he had but i would loved to have seen more of his Vegas show act and more clips of the classic Rickles on different talk shows of yesteryear but overall worth buying. NO one can do this kind of comedy like Rickles. This DVD makes you long for the good ole days of Johhny Carson and Las Vegas before it became a special effect freak show of trick-lighted counterfeit cardboard cutouts (see Eiffel Tower or not). Bring back the real Vegas where it was all about talented entertainers without the tricks.

From the man who brought us genius-level funny, this is luke-warm at best. As a document of the enduring hilarity of a classic vitriolic comedian - who still breaks me up - this DVD set (2 discs that could've been combined into one) feels like feeding pablum to a doddering old fossil. Don Rickles still has it, but the only evidence on this tribute are several clips from his live show, where he runs around the audience repeating the same line, with a few scattered mild putdowns & insults. The additional interviews with Rickles-era comedians is nice but superfluous, since most of them only talk about their times at comedy clubs back in the day, not about Rickles. This collection really should be entitled, "Memories of Don Rickles & Friends."
Maybe there's another version out there, because I bought this based on a review of it by Jimmy Kimmel, who said that he hosted it. There was one clip of Jimmy Kimmel reminiscing about growing up in Las Vegas with Don Rickles headlining at one of the casinos. That was it.
Caveat emptor: this is a nice collection of (mostly) old & new comedians, but no Rickles-palooza. There are some classic bits in it, such as Landis directing DeNiro on how to deliver a line for what seems like 20 minutes, and Sidney Poitier's recollections, and James Caan's revelation that Rickles was his inspiration for Sonny Corleone. Beyond that - pleasant but forgettable. Not the tribute I expected, or that Rickles deserves.

You can't go wrong with this. Thanks John Landis for a project from your heart. One of my favorite all time comedians with a style unlike any other. There is a lot of sentimentality in this, and being a Vegas resident for 35 years, I can tell you that the mob had people skills far beyond the MBA corporate punks today that only look at the bottom line. I miss those days.(I'm in my 40's, not a senior yet!) This is a priceless piece of history, and thanks Mr. Landis for putting this together before he's gone.
I would like to see someone put out a dvd of one of his complete live shows, but until then, you'll get pieces of his live show here along with some great bits from his Johnny Carson appearances among others. His best friend Bob Newhart (a true gentleman) has some great stories too.
Thanks Mr. Rickles - you've always been able to brighten my day.

I am 56...and have been a Don Rickles fan since I was a teen...

I have seen him on stage 3 times...and hope to again soon...

You cannot miss with this man...and this is quite a tribute...

Saw it on cable...

Bought it and watched over coffee and after breakfast on a Sunday morning...

Or was it a religious thing???

In any case...to those who chose...(John Landis and Friends)

My thanks...And Bless Mr. Rickles...

I saw Mr. Warmth on HBO and I loved it. It is a great documentary on one of the all time great comedians - Don Rickles. Hilarious highlights of his stage show, his appearances on the Dean Martin comedy roasts and appearances on the Johnny Carson show. Also, many do not realize that Don Rickles is a good actor - some scenes from some of his movies such as Kelly's heroes and Run Silent, Run Deep. I found this to be very entertaining and enjoyable.

First of all, I am 24. Second of all.. I just caught this documentary on HBO this afternoon and fell in love with every single thing about it! Watch this movie!