Senior Pitchman Reunion 2008

This is nearly three hours of video taken in November, 2008 at the first “Senior Pitchman’s Reunion.”

Advertised as the "Senior Pitchman’s Reunion: 60 Years old or better–Fakers Only! No NCLs! No 40 Milers!” it took place at the Boulder Station in Las Vegas.

This video is an incredible look into the lives and work of pitchmen and women.

Anyone who has pitched a product will find in inspirational and touching. But it is also very funny and entertaining.

But magicians and other performers can also learn a lot about drawing and holding a crowd, controlling their thinking and making the people do what you want. The pitchman is the true expert at that.

Pitchmen and women over 60 years old, No JCL’s! They each take time to talk about their work, give some advice, and tell their stories. The pitchman–demonstrating and selling a product on the street corner, in a both in a flea market, carnival or fair, in a special exhibition at Wal Mart or other big box store, or so often on television infomercial–is familiar to most everyone.

These are the people who sell magic card decks, blue-block sunglasses, dancing puppets, Ginsu knives and kitchen gadgets, and all the latest and greatest inventions for modern life that you can imagine. They demonstrate and then sell to the crowd whatever product they happen to be pitching.

But the life-style, skills and vicissitudes of the pitchman’s world are as mysterious and interesting to those outside it today as they have been for more than 100 years.

This is a wonderful video that features senior pitchmen–men and women who are 60 years or older or have been in the business more than 20 years. No “Johnny Come Lately’s.”

Each one sits down in front of the camera and talks about this fascinating world, giving advice on pitching and talking about their lives, their expectations and what it takes to make it in the business.

They also tell wonderful and entertaining stories and jokes, and you can see the camaraderie, and practically feel the fun and warmth this groups shares with each other.

Anyone who has pitched a product or thought about pitching for a living, or just finds people interesting and this lifestyle unique will find it inspirational and touching.

STRONG LANGUAGE