FOR A GREAT MANY years, from the 1930's thru the 1970's, it was considered to be a great honor to be insulted by Groucho Marx. At personal appearances, while visiting the NY Stock Exchange, dining at some big-time restaurant or just plain everyday living, the ritual of having quick and clever put-downs and humorously tailored barbs hurled at just about everyone became an expected part of life.
IT WAS IN the late 1940's that this apparently compulsive behaviour was channeled into a showbiz bonanza. What with the Marx Brothers' run in pictures as a comedy team having ground to a halt in the Post World War II period,with titles such as A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA (United Artists/, 1946) and LOVE HAPPY (United Artists, 1949) there was still a lot of Marxian talent and energy left. Hence, Chico toured with his Big Band, Harpo did the Nightclubs Circuit and Groucho???
SOMEONE CAME UP the brainstorm to harness the insults into a big time broadcasting bonanza. Hence, we had the creation of YOU BET YOUR LIFE; which at one point was simulcast on both NBC Radio and on NBC TV Network. A non-spectacular quiz format was concocted with some rather low budget cash prizes. It was all secondary to just having Groucho's presence good natured giving the business to pairs of contestants.
BOTH FATHER TIME and Mother Nature have conspired to take Groucho away from us; but, it was not a passing which was totally without both a legacy and a successor for the masses. A former actor and now outstanding stand-up comic, one Donald Rickles, was there to accept the mantle and carry on.
THE ACT THAT has been so successful for "Mr. Warmth" consists of his being rude, obnoxious and insulting to his fans. The key to his successful manipulation of this seemingly repulsive format would appear to have its roots in his nondiscriminatory application to his "victims". In short, he treats (or mistreats) everybody in equally shabby a manner.
THE FILM TAKES a careful and complex look at fellow performers, fans and friends; who offer many a different, yet similar a point of view of the master of the insult. Personal anecdotes are related from such a large roster of what could only be described as a Who's Who of Show Business. Each story, which although they are disparate in origin, relates with obviously great authenticity, that the real Mr. Don Rickles is, at heart, a truly sweet guy and a fine individual. He is really nothing like the insult machine that we see on stage.
WE HAD THE pleasure of seeing the Rickles Act this past September. It was at the old, but restored Arcada Theatre; which is located here, in Saint Charles, Illinois (Suburban Chicagoland). Following a close to 2 hour presentation on the stage, we found him to be a guy who truly enjoyed his performing for the public. It was our impression that Don would do his show for gratis, he so enjoyed it.
IN THE COURSE of viewing MR. WARMTH: THE DON RICKLES PROJECT, we came to the conclusion that this is a very energetic octogenarian; who will never actually retire from the work that he so loves.
IF YOU HAVEN'T seen MR. WARMTH, whether or not you are a fan, see it. It will be a great experience and following its ninety or so minutes, you will know the man, as well as the comedian.
IT WAS IN the late 1940's that this apparently compulsive behaviour was channeled into a showbiz bonanza. What with the Marx Brothers' run in pictures as a comedy team having ground to a halt in the Post World War II period,with titles such as A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA (United Artists/, 1946) and LOVE HAPPY (United Artists, 1949) there was still a lot of Marxian talent and energy left. Hence, Chico toured with his Big Band, Harpo did the Nightclubs Circuit and Groucho???
SOMEONE CAME UP the brainstorm to harness the insults into a big time broadcasting bonanza. Hence, we had the creation of YOU BET YOUR LIFE; which at one point was simulcast on both NBC Radio and on NBC TV Network. A non-spectacular quiz format was concocted with some rather low budget cash prizes. It was all secondary to just having Groucho's presence good natured giving the business to pairs of contestants.
BOTH FATHER TIME and Mother Nature have conspired to take Groucho away from us; but, it was not a passing which was totally without both a legacy and a successor for the masses. A former actor and now outstanding stand-up comic, one Donald Rickles, was there to accept the mantle and carry on.
THE ACT THAT has been so successful for "Mr. Warmth" consists of his being rude, obnoxious and insulting to his fans. The key to his successful manipulation of this seemingly repulsive format would appear to have its roots in his nondiscriminatory application to his "victims". In short, he treats (or mistreats) everybody in equally shabby a manner.
THE FILM TAKES a careful and complex look at fellow performers, fans and friends; who offer many a different, yet similar a point of view of the master of the insult. Personal anecdotes are related from such a large roster of what could only be described as a Who's Who of Show Business. Each story, which although they are disparate in origin, relates with obviously great authenticity, that the real Mr. Don Rickles is, at heart, a truly sweet guy and a fine individual. He is really nothing like the insult machine that we see on stage.
WE HAD THE pleasure of seeing the Rickles Act this past September. It was at the old, but restored Arcada Theatre; which is located here, in Saint Charles, Illinois (Suburban Chicagoland). Following a close to 2 hour presentation on the stage, we found him to be a guy who truly enjoyed his performing for the public. It was our impression that Don would do his show for gratis, he so enjoyed it.
IN THE COURSE of viewing MR. WARMTH: THE DON RICKLES PROJECT, we came to the conclusion that this is a very energetic octogenarian; who will never actually retire from the work that he so loves.
IF YOU HAVEN'T seen MR. WARMTH, whether or not you are a fan, see it. It will be a great experience and following its ninety or so minutes, you will know the man, as well as the comedian.