Columnist Joe Delaney: Rickles performs ‘greatest hits’ at Desert Inn

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 7, 2000 | 8:46 a.m.

Don Rickles, appearing in the Desert Inn's Crystal Room through Sunday, has two very different personas, really three at this point, in his long successful career as a comedian and as an actor ... Rickles, off stage, is a quiet homebody, a family man who would never hurt anyone's feelings intentionally ... This is the opposite of the onstage Rickles who was once referred to as "Mr. Warmth" and "The Merchant of Venom."

Today Rickles on stage is really doing " The Best Of Don Rickles," attacking all ethnic groups the first 10 to 20 minutes before singing "I'm a Nice Guy," working the audience again, then doing one of his two impromptus with two men from the audience, always a show high spot.

He says "thank you" to stars who have helped his career, plus a few impressions, ending with a tribute to James Cagney as George M. Cohan singing "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

His closer

Rickles concludes with what can best be described as equal parts nostalgia and revival meeting plus introductions, another impromptu, if there are celebrities in the audience, making sure everyone leaves feeling good ... For those who have never seen him in person, it is a wonderful total entertainment experience ... If you have seen him, it is a visit with an old friend, and a night of enjoying the responses of the first-timers.

Born on New York's Long Island May 9, 1926, his earliest ambition was to be a serious actor, a dream realized when he portrayed a pit boss in the hit film, "Casino" ... He was also a winner as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in "Toy Story" ... He still prefers working before a live audience.

As a comedian, Rickles began by doing a little bit of everybody else, formula stuff, with a few impressions thrown in ... He found his onstage persona by accident one night in a nightclub featuring strippers.

How it happened

Just out of the service, he was working in Washington, D.C., and the club was filled with sailors on shore leave who wanted strippers, not comedians ... Really risking possible bodily harm, Rickles decided to put down everyone in the room, including strippers and management ... Instead of anger, the result was laughter and applause ... The die was cast.

Rickles moved to the West Coast in the mid-1950s, opening at the Slate Brothers nightclub, a celebrity hangout ... Rickles roasted all who entered ... Frank Sinatra was savaged by Rickles one night and loved it ... Sinatra was responsible for Rickles opening in LV's Sahara Casbar ... The Rat Pack would convene at the Casbar for his 4 a.m. show.

Rickles is celebrating his fifth decade as an LV main showroom headliner ... With the Desert Inn closing on Aug. 30, or perhaps earlier, Rickles will certainly be moving to another LV main showroom.

Rickles, concluded

Since his present preference is playing weekends four or five times a year, the Wayne Newton Theater during Newton's periods of absence would make sense. ... Las Vegas needs a place to play for Shecky Greene, Buddy Hackett, Alan King -- and Rickles, working weekends or even just one day a week. ... Our town also needs entertainment experts who can make decisions, not merely submissions to committees.

New subject

Is Clark County out of money? ... Is there any reason why we cannot afford to keep up the grounds surrounding the Clark County Government Center? ... They are an eyesore ... See you next Thursday.