STAR SEARCH ACCOMPLISHED:  SANDY DUNCAN SINGS “I’M YOUR MOTHER.” THE HOUSEWIVES’ LAMENT ON KIDS AND CLEANING.

 

In 1965, I had been scouring the town for weeks trying to cast a pretty young mama who could belt out a song, Ethel Merman style, for a Lestoil household-detergent TV campaign. Time was running out. That weekend, my wife Rosie dragged me to a Broadway revival of The Music Man. (As usual, I wanted to stay home to watch a Yankees game.) “But George, honey,” she purred, “maybe you’ll find who you’re looking for on stage tonight.” The overture played, the curtain went up – and there she was...a small, peppy blonde with a big big voice. Her name was Sandy Duncan. A few days later she pleadingly sang to “her kids,” they sang back, and Lestoil cleaned up. The unknown Duncan was followed by a black mother (and her kids) and an Asian mother (and her kids). The singing campaign about mothers who toil to keep their homes clean, but are largely unappreciated by their families, was startling advertising in the days of grimy demo spots. It was a TV experience that only a mother could love. I’m your Mother hit pay dirt as Lestoil sales climbed. And loving letters came flowing in from thousands of appreciative moms. When I met Bill Pitts, the marketing consultant for Lestoil, this Greek Orthodox kid gained a friend and “Rabbi” for over 25 years. In 1978,  I was thrilled to take him a partner in Lois Pitts Gershon, the third agency I launched.

SANDY DUNCAN SINGS:

I’m your Mother

Working morning, noon and night

Not complaining

But I work day and night

I keep this house clean

’Cause that’s my job

So don’t you track the dirt in

Debbie, Sue or Bob

 

DEBBIE, SUE & BOB SING:

She’s our Mother

Wipe our feet at the door

Our Mother

Don’t spill things on the floor

Tomorrow’s Lestoil

She won’t use the rest

Tomorrow’s Lestoil

She says it’s the best

 

SANDY DUNCAN SINGS:

But I’m your Mother

I can do it all with ease

Your Mother

I can do it in a breeze

I know a little secret

It’s worth quite a lot

Tomorrow’s Lestoil

Smartest friend a mother’s got

I’m your Mother

Keep your mitts off the wall

Your Mother

Don’t play ball in the hall

I’m your Mother

And with me you’re number one

Tomorrow’s Lestoil

It gets all my housework done

I’m your Mother

So don’t scuff the floor...