One of the creepy things about running a dead pool is that I don’t need to read the headlines or watch the news to know that a famous person has died. I just check my stats, slog through the hundreds of hits in an hour for that celebrity’s name and the word “dead” with it in a Google search, and I know that there’s one more face to be added to the Emmys or Oscars morgue’s gallery.
What’s even creepier is when people slam the site with a celebrity’s name and the word “dead” but the celebrity isn’t dead. Horatio Sanz is the most common subject of furious and fast Google searches when someone passes around a new rumor about him.
Anyway, I thought I’d share that bit of information before asking:
What was your favorite Don Knotts movie?
My favorite Don Knotts movie was the one where he receives the wrong medications at the hospital and goes mad, grabbing a security guard’s revolver and shooting his way out the door. If memory serves correctly, he ends up hijacking a bullet train secretly loaded with atomic bombs and blows San Francisco into small particles.
I think I need to cut down on my caffeine intake.
Excuse me. I’m terribly sorry for having disturbed you all. I’ll back out of the room quietly now and return to my own, small blog.
The Incredible Mr. Limpet.
I watched it in its first theatre run, when I was about 10, and absolutely loved it.
Not only was it SF (which I knew was special and important by about third grade), but I think it may have been the first romance that I really responded to.
Private Eyes – with Tim Conway.
My favourite Don Knotts movie is the one where he meets up with an alluring stranger and they start an underground anarchist organization where a bunch of dudes get together and punch each other out all night long.
The first rule of the organization is that you don’t talk about the organization. The second rule of the organization is that you DON’T TALK about the organization.
… i think it was called “Fife Club”.
I’m kind of a Ghost and Mister Chicken guy, “Atta boy, Luther!”.
Not a movie, but I saw a Candid Camera episode where he was at a jewelry store and was attempting to pierce someone’s ear. It was unbelievably funny.
Hot Lead and Cold Feet… that was my fave.
Man, I should’ve done a dead pool. I’d so be winning.
Also see that Darren McGavin has passed away. He played Ralphie’s dad in “Christmas Story.”
The Incredible Mr. Limpet, absolutely. Back in the day before we had videos, it was on TV once a year and I always made sure to watch it. Great movie.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken of course!! Gave me nightmares!!! The picture on the wall with the garden shears in the neck and blood pouring out just ruined me for weeks!!
Shakiest gun in the west was my fav. I knew he would make one too many trips to Mt. Pilot to hang out with the “Fun Girls”.
I always liked “How to frame a Figg.” Don Knotts was one of my favorite comedians. Thanks for all the laughs Mr. Knotts. You will be missed.
that’s the second actor i’ve killed!
Gus — that movie with the field goal kicking mule (from yugoslavia?)
How about the Herbie movies? (sans- anarexic chic Lohan)
I think having a dead pool is disrespectful to all those who are on your list. I loved, and still love Don Knotts and I don’t like you betting on when he was going to die. How would you like to be on a dead pool list?
Ah, my favorite would be “The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again,” which is one of those Disney ones where him and Tim Conway just get to be goofballs. My brothers and I watched it so many times growing up that we can quote long sections and laugh while everyone else wonders how crazy we are. Don Knotts was a master of comedy, and when he and Tim Conway were together, it only got better…
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, with How to Frame a Figg a close second.
Thanks for reminding me about “Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again,” Seth. I remember watching that on the Wonderful World of Disney growing up and loving it. It was much better than the first movie, which had too much sentiment. The sequels was pure crazy-go-nuts. Don Knotts and Tim Conway accidentally burning down a frontier fort? Comedy genius.
Folks, there isn’t one movie that compares to the body of work that was the Andy Griffith Show. “Barn” MADE that show, and I (daily) lament his third billing behind a cute and admittedly talented Ron Howard.
“Also starring Don Knotts…” was the unkindest cut of all.