MovieChat Forums > Lovers and Other Strangers (1970) Discussion > this movie was responsible for obnoxious...

this movie was responsible for obnoxious TV commercials

posted 16 years ago by NewtonFigg
10 replies | jump to latest

You may not have seen this movie but, if you lived in NY in the 70s, you know the imitation ads. In the movie, Richard Castellano was always saying to his son "So What's the story, Richie?" On TV, an appliance store named Jamaica Gas and Electric renamed itself JG&E and hired one Jerry Rosenbaum to appear in a hard hat and tell you that JGE was only open to union members and their families. However, he only spoke when asked by an offscreen chorus of voices "What's the story, Jerry?" Unforgettable commercials. Thirty years later, I still gag thinking about them. Even worse, I think they inspired the Crazy Eddie ads.

[–] tmaj48 15 years ago

"THAT'S THE STORRRRRRRRYYYYY!!!" (waving his arms above his head so that
his gut sticks out from under his shirt). Unforgettable, all right, but maybe
not as gag-inducing as Tom Carvel starring in his own commercials. Those could
actually turn you off of ice cream, of all things.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

[–] proc7169 14 years ago

The Theme Song "For All We Know" was used for at least 1 commercial as well - I think it was a Bank in California, which is where The Carpenter's heard it and then they recorded it and it was their first big hit - at least I think that's the way the story went.

I did grow up in the NY Metro Area in the 70's and obviously can remember "What's the Story Jerry?" - I just couldn't remember what it was actually advertising! But I also think AlkaSeltzer commercials from the 70's were a take off on the Scenes in the Vecchio's Kitchen - I can't believe I ate the whole thing -

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Popcorngal (4937) 2 years ago

I thought it was We Only Just Began.

[–] rrb 12 years ago

My God, I lived in NYC in the 70s & I'd forgotten about those commercials (but I do remember the ridiculous Tom Carvel ones). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[–] perkeneff 13 years ago

I thought it was a funny movie, but not an all time classic like Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau In the Pink Panther films. The only line I remember in "Lovers and Other Strangers" is: you guessed it!! "So what's the story, Richie" I didn't even live back east to see those commercials.

[–] aciolino 10 years ago

If that's the ONLY line you remember from this classis, quirky, unique film, then you need to see it again. . .

"But my wanting my children to be happy, while not taking away from my love for you, will make Bernice happy, and therefore make the children happy. I want everyone to be happy. Everyone. You know, that could be my biggest fault."

"Don't look for happiness, Richie. It will only make you miserable."

We're all strangers. But after a while you get used to it. You become deeper strangers. That's a sort of love.

I can understand her wanting to leave. But I can't understand her leaving.

Paraphrase: "So the responsibility lay not with me, or with Bernice, or with you. But with Phil."

Brilliant stuff.

[–] bcamphome 10 years ago

I remember that commercial and I even memorized it. I used to babble its lines around the house and drive my siblings crazy. It was so New York and so raw, unpolished, unprofessional and unpretentious. I loved it.

[–] dizexpat 9 years ago

I know this post is old, but I sure do remember the "What's the story Jerry?" commercials.

It's a funny memory from a particular time and place.

I think I knew the commercials before I knew this movie, and the first time I heard "So what's the story Richie?" I cracked up.

Mice work in mysterious ways.
No, dear. That's God.

[–] barjo4 9 years ago

Not as bad as the "Crazy Eddie" ads