By The Greater Astoria Historical Society
On May 3, 1952, in Long Island City, County Court Judge Peter Farrell imposed the latest sentence on renowned bank robber and prison escape artist William “Willie” Sutton. He was given a 30−year term at Sing Sing in upstate New York for his role in holding up the Manufacturer’s Trust Co. in Sunnyside.
Sutton was no stranger to the legal process. This was his fourth sentence in New York alone. He incurred a 25 to 50−year sentence in Pennsylvania for felonies that included possession of a machine gun, theft of a tear gas gun and robbery, his specialty.
Sutton’s contempt for law and order was by now the stuff of legend. He first broke loose from prison when he had six years left on his sentence for a Queens burglary in 1926. He was caught five years later for robbing a Manhattan jewelry store, an exploit that got him 30 years in the big house. On top of this, Sutton was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life for gun possession.
This irrepressible criminal, who allegedly claimed to rob banks because “that’s where the money is,” would have to have been 148 before being eligible for parole.
Star Journal reporter Robert Bigelow observed: “To Willie the sentence was nothing more than another straw on the camel’s back that has long since broken under the load. He owes enough time to stagger a Methuselah.”
On May 8, 1926, Don Rickles was born in Queens to Jewish parents Max and Etta Rickles. He grew up in Jackson Heights, attended Newtown High School and served in World War II.
He studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and turned to stand−up comedy when acting work failed to provide steady income. When he began to respond to hecklers, the audience enjoyed his insults more than his material. Rickles earned the nicknames “The Merchant of Venom” and “Mr. Warmth” for his insult comedy, in which he pokes fun at people of all ethnicities and walks of life.
Rickles’ friendship with the late Frank Sinatra was the stuff of legend. The story is told that while working in a nightclub in Los Angeles in 1957, he spied the singer−actor and retorted, “I saw you in ‘The Pride and Passion’ and the cannon’s acting was great.” Then rubbing salt, he added, “Make yourself at home, Frank, hit somebody.”
Rather than taking offense, Sinatra loved it, and helped his new friend, whom he called “bullet−head,” to become a headline performer in Las Vegas. Years later, in 1985, when Frank Sinatra was asked to perform at Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural ball, he stated he would not perform unless Rickles was allowed to perform with him. Rickles considers that evening the highlight of his career.
Rickles was a frequent guest and even a guest host of and would appear over 100 times on “The Tonight Show” during the Johnny Carson era. He was a fixture on both “The Dean Martin Show” and Martin’s roast specials.
In his 80s, Rickles has no plans to retire. He recently said in an interview: “I’m in good health. I’m working better than I ever have. The audiences are great. I’m like a fighter. The bell rings and you come out and fight. My energy comes alive. And I still enjoy it.” Rickles has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Notable quote: “The old days were the old days. And they were great days. But now is now.”
The Greater Astoria Historical Society is open Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. at Quinn’s Gallery, Fourth Floor, 35−20 Broadway, in Long Island City.
For more information, call at 718−278−0700 or visit astorialic.org.
