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Coffee and Carpets
January 1, 2007
In 1965, Barbra peddled Chemstrand carpets
for industry insiders to promote her upcoming, but yet unnamed
television special, which she simply refers to as "The Barbra
Streisand Show" in the spot. In those days, television
shows needed formal sponsorship to back up all financial aspects of
production. In fact, sponsors were so important to the broadcast, it
was no wonder that Barbra went the extra step by personally
"selling" her upcoming TV show to Chemstrand. The successful
sponsorship of "My Name Is Barbra" had Chemstrand apparently jumping
at the chance to join forces on Barbra's second special as well.
In 1969, to promote a compilation
Christmas album on which she appears, Barbra took on the role of
pitchman for Maxwell House coffee, the album's sponsor in the
US. The short 30 second spot shows Barbra unwrapping presents,
specifically Maxwell House's "Streisand...and friends" special
edition Christmas compilation album. A Streisand Christmas
vocal accompanies a voice-over that told viewers that the album is
available wherever Maxwell House coffee is sold.
On the big screen, two of Streisand's characters played the role
of pitchman as well. Maxwell House coffee makes another
appearance, this time as the sponsor of Fanny Brice's Baby
Snooks radio show (in "Funny Lady"). And we can not forget
how Esther Hoffman made a futile (but hilarious) effort to
peddle cat food in "A Star Is Born."
Barbra has also done several not-for-profit spots over the years
as well. As a spokesman for The Special Olympics, The
National Association for Retarded Children, The National
Multiple Sclerosis Society, and The Will Rogers Institute,
Barbra's support was evident in the numerous television, radio
and theatrical PSAs in which she appeared.
Today, the "big" endorsement money keeps rolling in for Barbra.
The royalty
check from that 1961 commercial in Detroit adds a whopping 14¢ to
Barbra's annual income each year.
The Singer ... and the Sewing Machines
 Lest
we forget, the producers of "Barbra Streisand ... and other musical
instruments" devised a very clever product placement stunt that was
used in the show's finale. During the number "The World is a
Concerto," Barbra's performance is accompanied by the noise of
several household appliances as she sings the lyrics, tongue in
cheek.
When it came time to deliver the line, "The world is a concerto,
a song in which each singer has a part," Singer sewing machines
were on hand to illustrate the gag.
Though not a "commercial" in the true sense of the word, it was
quite apparent at the time that the producers (and Barbra) were
subtly promoting Singer Sewing Machines right in the middle of one
of her songs.
The Singer corporation was the sponsor of the show. It was a very
funny gimmick at the time, and we still chuckle every time we see
it.
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