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Who Knew? Dick Delson’s Reverent, No, Irreverent Look Back at Old Hollywood (Jaws, American Graffiti, Star Wars, and Movie Moguls)

Written by USTimes, 2016-06-14

Fifty-two studio executives screened American Graffiti and hated it. Luckily, Hollywood publicist, Dick Delson didn't agree.
Fifty-two studio executives screened American Graffiti and hated it. Luckily, Hollywood publicist, Dick Delson didn’t agree.
In a town where many are afraid to have an opinion for fear of alienating their bosses and losing their hard-won employment, Dick Delson, is a big-voiced, big-personality guy who tells it like it is and solves marketing and PR problems without a moment’s hesitation.

Dick reigned as one of Hollywood’s leading publicists and ad-men for over 40 years. As he tells us in this interview, he was on the teams of projects that garnered over 200 Academy Award nominations and won 75.

No fear of dishing dirt and behind the scenes secrets here.

If you are interested in some of the untold stories about Jaws, American Graffiti, Star Wars and Splash, stay tuned. You will be amused, you will be very amused.

Star Wars, Episode 1, The Phantom Menace got turned down at first pitch.
Star Wars, Episode 1, The Phantom Menace got turned down at first pitch.

Remember that famous line, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water?" We know who wrote it!
Remember that famous line, “Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water?” We know who wrote it!

The island used to film Splash was surrounded by drug lords who threatened violence until they found out Ron Howard was directing.
The island used to film Splash was surrounded by drug lords who threatened violence until they found out Ron Howard was directing.

About Dick Delson:
Dick Delson has extensive public relations, advertising, promotional and marketing experience and expertise. Throughout his years in the industry, he has garnered more than 200 Academy Award nominations for his clients and won more than 70.

Dick has written for film, television, radio and the press. In 2003, he was one of only three recipients of the prestigious Golden Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for Outstanding Service to the Entertainment Industry.

He has been involved in high level policy and project planning and execution for entities such as Walt Disney Productions, Filmways Pictures, MCA, Inc./Universal Pictures and the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, Puerto Rico’s Industrial and Tourism program “Operation Bootstrap,” and the Jamaica, West Indies Industrial Development Corporation.

Dick’s press contacts and personal friendships extend to the executive producer and/or producer of every national television talk and/or news show, i.e., “60 Minutes,” “The Today Show,” etc., as well as most local television shows. The same is true of national and local radio personalities, as well as their producers, and of key entertainment editors and writers of nearly every magazine and newspaper of importance in America, including such publications as “Time,” “Newsweek,” “The New York Times,” “The Washington Post” and “The Los Angeles Times.” Additionally, his contacts include many of the news and business editors of publications throughout the United States.