Joseph F. Thompson of Charlotte corrects an item in the North Carolina Quiz (April 19). Lew Powell said Robert DeNiro had played a repairman in a Duke Power commercial.
In 1967, I was an art director at Cargill, Wilson & Acree, a local ad agency, and was assigned to the Duke Power account. In those days Duke Power could sell appliances, and it wanted to promote a new washer-dryer combination it named "Miss America."
The copywriter and I came up with a concept that parodied the real Miss America pageant, including a Bert Parks type dressed in a tuxedo, singing the pageant theme. As the curtain parted, a washer-dryer was revealed rolling down the runway instead of a beautiful girl. Roses were tossed onto the appliances, as the theme song continued in the background.
We thought it was a clever concept, and Duke Power agreed. However, the audition process disappointed us. No local actor seemed to fill the bill. Someone suggested we bring in some actors from the dinner theater, which we did -- thus the casting of Robert De Niro for the Bert Parks role.
He was young, enthusiastic and perfect for the part. Unfortunately, no one saved the videotape of the commercial. Who knew?
We became friends and corresponded for many years. He once called me when he came through town promoting a movie he made with Shelley Winters called "Bloody Mama" (about the infamous Ma Barker -- terrible movie) and asked that I join him at the press luncheon because he felt alone and put upon.
TKPN
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