Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007)

The documentary consists of tape of Don's show (never been filmed before), interviews with Don's contemporaries, (Steve Lawrence, Bob Newhart, Debbie Reynolds, etc.), established comedians ... See full summary »

Director:

John Landis

Stars:

Harry Dean Stanton, John Landis, Don Rickles

Won 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Himself / Private Willard
John Landis	...	Himself / Sister Rosa Stigmata
Don Rickles	...	Himself / Crapgame / Petty Officer Ruby / Crane / Nellie / Anne Bancroft / Big Drop / Mr. Potato Head
Clint Eastwood	...	Himself / Private Kelly / 'Dirty' Harry Callahan
Robert De Niro	...	Himself
Richard Lewis	...	Himself
Victor Figueredo	...	Himself
Conrad Hermogenes	...	Himself
Paul Shefrin	...	Himself
Heidi Akawa	...	Herself
Peggy March	...	Herself
Joe Mele	...	Himself
Chris Rock	...	Himself
Tom McDermott	...	Guitar
Jack Cenna	...	Percussion

Storyline

The documentary consists of tape of Don's show (never been filmed before), interviews with Don's contemporaries, (Steve Lawrence, Bob Newhart, Debbie Reynolds, etc.), established comedians (Billy Crystal, Rosanna Barr, Robin Williams, Chris Rock, etc.) and young comedians (Jeff Atoll, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, etc.). We have interviewed over 30 people including actors, directors (John Landis, Christopher Guest, Sidney Poitier, Jay Leno, etc.) and various people in Don's life (his composer, orchestra, manager etc.). In addition, we will use some of Don's home movies, clips from the Tonight Show, various TV shows, movies etc. We'll see one of the last great comedians of his era.

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Plot Keywords:

comedian | las vegas nevada | racism | racial slur | stand up comedy | 

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Taglines:

Make way for Mr. Nice Guy

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Genres:

Documentary | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Don Rickles Documentary

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dark Horse Indie, Salient Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

While Bobby Slayton lists the many shows Rickles appeared on in the 1960's, he names Bewitched. Rickles never appeared on the show.

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Connections

Features This Is Your Life: Don Rickles (1972)

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Soundtracks

"I Will Follow Him"
Written by Arthur Altman, Norman Gimbel, Roy F. Stolle, Paul Mauriat,
Jacques Plante, Louis Plurcel
Performed by Peggy March

User Reviews

more of a love letter than a true documentary, but great none the less

More of a tribute to a comedic legend than a true documentary, this John Landis directed love letter to the great Mr. Rickles is pretty good none the less. Consisting of various actors and directors of note giving their (naturally) 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.

While the film does have a very small amount of missteps editing and a few instances where it veers off-topic to ill effect, for the most part it's quite highly enjoyable and hilarious to boot. Any true fan (myself included)of Don will no doubt treasure it and watch it multiple times.

So what ya waiting' for? Go check it out on HBO while it's still on, Hockey Puck.