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[commentary track]
When the first week’s totals for Mom and Dad in New York were way below expected, Irwin Joseph (the accountant) recommended they cut back on the advertising and just let the show run quietly for a few more weeks just to recoup their losses.

Kroger wouldn’t hear of it. By the time week four rolled around, he had decided to go behind Modern Films’ back and take the show into his own hands. He resorted to his time-tested promotion formula and took out huge ads in all of the newspapers.

Back in the home office, Joseph was of course furious. They worked out a deal that Kroger would run the New York booking. Any profits would be split 50/50 between the man and the company.

So at the end of the run, Babb gave Modern Films their take of $5,500. But he still owed them $24,500 for their loan to cover his advertising expenses. It shouldn’t have been difficult to cover out of his own pocket, but the IRS had recently caught wind and now he was broke.

He ended up selling his share of Modern Films to his partners to cover his debt. His ownership of Mom and Dad was included in that sale.

He had roadshowed the film for fourteen years.

Babb moved on and started billing himself as “Mr. Pihsnamwohs” on talk circuits, always selling something.

He died quietly in Florida in 1980, survived by Mildred and their children.

lyrics

"You gotta tell 'em to sell 'em." But what happens when they won't listen to you? Do you pack up your bags and head home to Ohio? Or do you sizzle the steaks a little bit higher? You're the man with the plan and a martini in your hand, so we'll raise our glasses high to the spectacle. It's above the fold. With your name in bold. How much did that set us back? Do you think we'll make it back?

Cauze your mom never told you. And your dad didn't either. But fourteen years is way too long to be in love with just one film. And your mom never told you. And your dad didn't either. But fourteen years is way too long to be in love with just one film.

You've had one too many (One Too Many). Maybe she shoulda said no (She Shoulda Said "No!"). You're not the Prince of Peace any more (Prince Of Peace), instead you're halfway to Hell (Halfway to Hell).

Because this isn't Lansing (Karamoja), and there'll be no key to the city (The Secrets of Beauty). The neon in this town (The Rotten Apple) is not for you (Mom and Dad).

So when you change your name to "showmanship" spelled backwards, it's not the same as when you spelled it forwards.

Cauze your mom never told you. And your dad didn't either. But fourteen years is way too long to be in love with just one film. And your mom never told you. And your dad didn't either. But fourteen years is way too long to be in love with just one film.

credits

from Hygienic Productions (The Hot Reel Edition​!​), released November 15, 2003
Additional lyrics by Brooke Hoffman

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Father Bingo Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Father Bingo is the solo musical project of bassist Mike Lebovitz. He lives outside of Philadelphia with his cat named Cat (he did not name her). You may have seen Mike in another band: The Blue Moodys, McReady Rock, Stereo Atomico, A Victim of Good Times, White Skunk, Marcelyn the band. ... more

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