Salesmen are always trying to be upbeat in a job that can really test one's self confidence. As a salesman with many self doubts, a play titled "Death of a Salesman" (1949) can be pretty scary. It actually has been years after retirement that I have tackled this play although I spend a lot of time reading literature of one sort or another. As a working man I read lots on how to sell more, and build self confidence.
We are introduced to Willy Loman after he has cut short a sales trip. We learn that he has enjoyed traveling in the past. His wife is very loyal and supportive. His success has been limited and they are in debt. He talks loudly.
We learn he is not doing as well as he once had. We also learn that while lonely out of town he at least once gave in to temptation. His eldest son, Biff who had just failed an important school test caught his father with a woman. Eventually we realize this was so upsetting that his Biff gave up trying to rectify his failed test. A further repercussion was he did not get into college and ended up drifting through life.
Willy decided to confront his boss who was the son of the original boss. He felt squeezed financially and wanted to change his work conditions. He felt the son was obligated to help him, but the son had his own constraints and suggested Willy take a break. This only exasperated Willy. At the same time his son Biff had some expectations of improving his situation, but in fact he was also very disappointed. Willy and his two sons met at a restaurant and some of the disappointments were aired.
Arthur Miller was an established playwright when he met with an uncle who had been a salesman (a year or two after World War II. He was not a happy man and committed suicide about two years later. Miller had two other salesmen friends who killed themselves. He had been invited to testify before the House of UnAmerican Activities Committee, but was convicted after refusing to name any writers or others. He has won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for "Death of a Salesman". He has 123 writing credits plus 4 for acting and 1 for additional crew including "An Enemy of the People" (1966 and 1978) and "The Misfits" (1961). Famously married to Marilyn Monroe he wrote "The Misfits" for her, but shortly after they divorced.
Volker Schondorff was the director. His background was in Germany where he had directed operas. He won an Oscar with "The Tin Drum" (1979). He has 48 directing credits, 29 for writing and 17 for producing.
Alex North composed the music. He won music scholarships for Julliard and the Moscow Conservatory. His first film work was scoring documentaries for the Office of War Information. He went onto get nominated for 13 Oscars. He has 88 composing credits and 44 for the music department including for "Spartacus" (1960), "The Misfits: (1961) and "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1965).
Michael Ballhaus was the cinematographer. He has 133 cinematography credits plus 6 for directing and 6 for acting including "What About Bob?" (1991) and "The Age of Innocence" (1993).
David Roy was the editor. He has 37 editor credits plus 4 for the editorial department and 3 for the sound department including "The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three" (1974).
Dustin Hoffman played Willy Loman. He recalls that as a youngster "Death of a Salesman" was the first play he ever read. He has won 2 Oscars. Mike Nichols turned him down for a musical role, but remembered him for the breakthrough role of "The Graduate" (1967). He has 88 acting credits plus 7 for producing and 3 for directing including "Little Big Man" (1970), "Papillon" (1973), "All the President's Men" (1976), "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979), "Tootsie" (1982), "Rain Man" (1988) and "Runaway Jury" (2003).
Kate Reid played Linda Loman, the long suffering wife. She was raised in Canada and began her acting in the theatre including at the Stratford Festival and The Shaw Festival. She took her stage acting to Broadway and London. For film she has 90 acting credits including "The Enemy of the People" (1966).
John Malkovitch played Biff Loman. He started on stage in Chicago and proceeded to Broadway. He has acted and directed in Spanish. He has 138 acting credits plus 24 for producing and 3 for writing including "Secretariat" (2010).
Charles Durning played Charley, a neighbor. He has 215 acting credits and 123 for soundtrack including "The Sting" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), "Enemy of the People" (1978) and "Tootsie" (1978).
My local library in Hamilton, Ontario provided me with a DVD including special features and also the book.
Willy Loman was an oldstyle salesman with the glad hand, the jokes and contacts. We are never told what he actually sold. The need for selling comes from someone with an idea/service/product who needs help finding customers. It has gotten much more sophisticated and prospective customers have become more discriminating. A lot of what used to require personal contact now relies on the phone or online.
Personally I have found it motivating to represent an improvement for a customer. I loved traveling and meeting a variety of people and sometimes felt really good about helping someone. But all salesmen and saleswomen have to learn to accept and overcome rejection as their success depends on how well they can do it.
Selling has been a critical part of my life and has also been very educational. Here are some posts that illustrate. Selling was a challenge not only to overcome resistance, but also to feel I was helping to make the world a better place.
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/05/we-are-all-in-sales.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/10/my-career-selling-office-supplies.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/07/travels-of-salesman-part-3-quebec.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/06/working-with-pet-retailers-part-2.html
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/01/my-most-unusual-way-to-make-money.html
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