Pitch People

1999 "The true story of the world's second oldest profession."
Pitch People
8.2| 1h27m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 22 October 1999 Released
Producted By: SJPL Films, Ltd
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: https://www.pitchpeople.com
Synopsis

Pitch People is a documentary film that focuses on the role the art of the "pitch" has played in society. It was produced in 1999 and includes interviews with many of the pitch industry's greatest salesmen, including Arnold Morris, Sandy Mason, Lester Morris, Wally Nash and Ed McMahon as well as a look at the Popeil family.

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Cast

Ed McMahon

Director

Producted By

SJPL Films, Ltd

Trailers & Images

Reviews

nyctc7 This is a wonderful documentary about the history of infomercials, it is fun to watch. It's great to see some familiar faces of 1990s infomercials, telling their stories of how they got started in the business, and the art of the pitch. Being a product demonstrator is no easy job--we learn what is involved in working, for example, a State Fair: the preparation, the long hours, the lengthy scripts that must be committed to memory. It is also fascinating to hear these guys and gals talk about how to sell things, in a way they are the ultimate salesmen, they are actors whose "applause" is people handing over money. I didn't realize that the infomercial existed back in the 1950s, at some point they became too expensive to air, but with the advent of Cable TV, and some deregulation, they came back sometime in the 1980s, and by the 1990s they were all over the place. The documentary also traces the origins of pitchmen to the old traveling snake oil salesmen, and even earlier--for how long have human beings been selling things to each other? Ron Popeil did not agree to participate in the film, but we learn through his relatives Lester Morris and Arnold Morris about the background of their products empire.If you get a kick out of infomercials, you'll love this film. But even if you hate them, I think you will find the film entertaining, informative, well organized and well edited.I'm surprised that this documentary isn't better known--it really is good.
joeflick I actually enjoyed this behind the scenes look at the people and the history of those relentless infomercials that seem to pop up on every other cable channel. They might often be annoying and laughably corny, .but they are definitely memorable ("In Japan, .the hand can be used like a knife, .but NOT in this case!" ) Pitch people takes you through a fast paced, insiders look at this niche industry, .and shares a colorful history that might surprise you. This was really well put together with some great interviews and some hilarious clips. At the risk of sounding preachy, .I think this film shares an important little nugget of history that should not be overlooked.
Selim-3 Pitch People offers insight into a profession that oftentimes seems to blend into the wallpaper. I can't remember a time *without* seeing/hearing sales pitches for knives, mops, plastic containers, or other kitchen appliances that I didn't know I needed. Learning about the real skill and craftsmanship behind "the pitch" was a lot of fun, and this is a real gem of a movie. See it, and it'll make you smile.