You Can Beat the Critics! by David Merrick

[Alvin and My Sheepdog Rex]

Posted: 5/26/03 at 10:09pm

Broadway Trivia: In 1962, Broadway impresario David Merrick produced a show called "Subways Are For Sleeping." The New York theater critics were unanimous-- They all HATED it. Merrick was so outraged by their negative response that he retaliated with an unusual advertising tactic. What?

Answer: He located people with the same names as the Broadway critics ( such as Richard Watts or a Frank Rich), and got them to provide RAVE reviews, which he then quoted in his ads.

Can you think of any recent shows that might have enjoyed using this tactic?

[CourtneyM]

Posted: 5/26/03 at 10:12pm

dance of the vampires
urban cowboy
the look of love

[Standing O]

Posted: 5/27/03 at 9:24am

There may be some DOTV supporters who would've enjoyed rewriting some of the reviews.

[Amneris]

Posted: 5/27/03 at 4:11pm

urban cowboy for sure .. may not of been the best show in town but, the actors sure deserved better...and how funny to have a "Ben Brantley" from bumblescrew Utah writing about urban cowboy Updated On: 5/27/03 at 04:11 PM