This past week, the world lost one of the greatest and most beloved comics in the history of comedy, Mr. Warmth himself, Don Rickles. In addition to being known as one of the first (and arguably the best) insult comics in the business, Rickles also boasted a modest film career, appearing in a few dozen features. Below is a list of the top rated films in which he appeared.
Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) – 100% Rotten Tomato Score
Rickles’ film debut had him co-starring with Cary Grant and Burt Lancaster the acclaimed World War II submarine drama. Rickles’ small supporting role did not go unnoticed, though it would unfortunately be one of only a few dramatic roles for the comic.
Kelly’s Heroes (1970) – 80% Rotten Tomato Score
Rickles shares top billing with Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Carroll O’Connor, and Donald Sutherland in this World War II era heist comedy. Rickles is perfectly cast as a con man that Eastwood’s Kelly goes to to obtain supplies for his planned gold heist.
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) – 80% Rotten Tomato Score
The quintessential American beach movie has Rickles doing what he does best- insulting people. Beach Blanket Bingo is not the only Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello “beach” movie in which Rickles appeared, but it’s the best (relatively speaking, of course).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIqpCt2jewY
Casino (1995) – 80% Rotten Tomato Score
Rickles holds his own against heavy weights Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci as a casino manager in Martin Scorsese’s Vegas set crime drama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3f_GvkMBqk
X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) – 87% Rotten Tomato Score
Rickles delivers a great performance as a carnival barker in this Roger Corman sci-fi drama about a scientist that discovers a drug that enables him to see through objects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIc8Hz8av5Q
Toy Story (1995) – 100% Rotten Tomato Score
Toy Story 2 (1999) – 100% Rotten Tomato Score
Toy Story 3 (2010) – 99% Rotten Tomato Score
The Toy Story series, in addition to being arguably the most successful film trilogies of all time in terms of quality (animated or otherwise), was also partially responsible for giving Rickles a late resurgence in his career. Rickles shines as the classic toy Mr. Potato Head in the first Toy Story, and is given even more to work with in the sequels as he is joined by Estelle Harris’ Mrs. Potato Head.
Mr. Warmth The Don Rickles Project (2008) – 80% Rotten Tomato Score
This HBO documentary, which chronicles the career of the renowned comedian, includes performance clips, interviews with the biggest names in Hollywood, and recent interviews with Rickles himself, is not just a must see for Rickles fans, but a must see for fans of comedy in general.