The Hucksters (1947)

Sydney Greenstreet: Evan Llewellyn Evans

Quotes 

• Evan Llewellyn Evans : [in the initial meeting with Victor Norman, as Evan Evans enters the boardroom, without a word sits down, spits on the boardroom table, then wipes it up with his handkerchief]  Mr. Norman, you've just seen me do a disgusting thing. But you'll always remember what I just did. You see, if nobody remembers your brand, you aren't gonna sell any soap.

• Evan Llewellyn Evans : You see, Mr. Noman, this company gives your agency ten million dollars a year to spend on advertising. Do you know why? I'll tell you. I'll tell you a secret about the soap business, Mr. Norman. There's absolutely no difference between soaps. Absolutely none, and except for perfume and color, soap is soap. Oh, maybe we have a few manufacturing tricks. But the public don't give a *hoot* about that. The difference is in selling and advertising. We sell soap twice as fast as our nearest competitor. Why do we outsell them? Because we out-*advertise* them. Right?

  Evan Llewellyn Evans : [as the other executives answer in a chorus of agreement]  We out-advertise our competitors, Mr Norman. There's something remarkable about that. It's this: We spend on average, three million dollars a year *less* than they do. We out-advertise them. And out-sell them, but on less money. Does that convey a thought to you? It does to me. It means to me that we know what we are doing. Well, sales principles are not theory. They're proven facts. Example...

  Evan Llewellyn Evans : [rhythmically pounding the table and chanting]  Beautee Soap, Beautee Soap, Beautee Soap! Repeat until it comes out of their ears. Repeat until they say it in their sleep. Irritate them, Mr. Norman. Irritate. Irritate. Irritate them! Never forget: Irritate 'em! Knock them dead!

  [Vic looks slightly uncomfortable] 

  Evan Llewellyn Evans : See what I mean?