5 Famous Pickles in Film and Television
“I’ve got two pickles, I’ve got two pickles, I’ve got two pickles today, hey, hey.” - Buckwheat, Little Rascals.
Pickles have a way of stealing the spotlight. They make appearances in Sunday morning cartoons, date night RomComs, and indie darlings. They put us in a bind, they create escapist alter egos, and they take the edge off. Here are five iconic film and television moments starring the pickles that demanded our attention.
1. Sam’s Finger Barrel - “Crossing Delancy
This 1988 romantic comedy classic was not only a massive hit for romance fans of the pickle variety, but writers also called it the “ultimate Jewish rom-com.” Izzy Grossman (the insanely charming Amy Irving) is a single city girl working at a popular New York bookstore uptown when her Yiddish-speaking grandmother tries to set her up with a downtown pickle vendor, Sam. Pickles as a metaphor for class divides and divisions of the heart? Yes. Two adorable leads falling in love over a barrel of brine? Pass the pickle-flavoured popcorn. The show-stealers are the pickles that Sam grabs bare-handed from a giant barrel and shoves into jars for the old Jewish men demanding the details of his dating life. Swoon.
2. Pickles - "SpongeBob SquarePants"
In 1999, a new animated series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg, “SpongeBob SquarePants,” released an episode so absurd, so hilarious, and so salty that it would go on to live in infamy through viral internet memes to this day. The episode is simply titled “Pickles.” SpongeBob loses confidence in making Krabby Patties when his enemy, Bubble Bass, claims SpongeBob keeps forgetting to put pickles on his burger, only to discover that the evil Bubble Bass was hiding the pickles under his tongue all along *gasp*! Do yourself a favor and revisit this show; there’s a reason the surrealist humour became a timeless hit from the first episode.
3. Pickle Rick - “Rick and Morty”
The animated series “Rick and Morty” follows Rick Sanchez, a nihilistic, alcoholic, and genius scientist, who drags his timid grandson, Morty Smith, on dangerous adventures across the universe and alternate timelines. The show has never been afraid to cut absurdist humor with dark truths about the ego, nihilism and existentialism. In the Emmy award-winning episode, “Pickle Rick,” Rick turns himself into an anthropomorphic pickle to avoid going to family therapy. The episode is a true testament to the lengths men will go to avoid therapy and the marketability of a talking pickle (just walk into any Hot Topic or Spencer's Gifts and you’ll find enough Pickle Rick merch to swallow you whole). The notable family therapist’s speech is delivered by the brilliant Susan Surandon, and speaking of Susan Surandon…
4. Grocery Store Pickles - "The Witches of Eastwick"
A certain type of woman of the ‘80s will remember Susan Sarandon as Jane Spofford confidently and flagrantly eating pickles straight out of the jar at the grocery store in the 1987 comedy horror, “The Witches of Eastwick.” The scene signals Jane breaking free from her conservative, repressed life, as she transforms into the confident, sexy witch she was always meant to be. Clad in a tight peach dress, massive sunglasses and wild orange hair, Jane dares to eat pickles directly out of the jar while she shops, darting about the grocery store, grabbing cookies and talking to strangers around her. Other women stare at her, call her a slut, clearly intimidated by her raw, unapologetic confidence, sexuality and immaculate vibes. These pickles are a magical, powerful signal of the liberation of female sexuality and unbridled vocal confidence. You go, Jane!
5. The Pickling Vat - "An American Pickle"
Seth Rogen stars in this delightful tale based on Simon Rich’s short story about an Eastern European Jewish immigrant who gets preserved in a vat of pickles and wakes up a century later in modern-day New York City. Rogen plays Herschel Greenbaum, attempting to fit into modern society with the assistance of his last remaining descendant, Ben Greenbaum (also played by Rogen). The movie is sweet and silly (and sure, a little sour!), punctuated by grounded emotional moments. Exploring generational trauma through a unique salty lens, “An American Pickle” is everything you need for a light movie night in with your Jewish parents over a jar of sour dill split amongst the family. No need for forks! Sam from Delancey Street certainly doesn’t need one *wink*.
By: Rachel Manson
