He Won Me The Documentary Critic's Prize At Cannes. A Very REAL Look At Vegas In The '60s

To hear the background story (it’s a wild one) on my film and what happened to me go here -    • Filmmaker Shares Story Of His 1st Document...  .

Do you need to buy insurance? Did I need to buy insurance when Murray came came into my office in 1967 to sell me insurance? Life insurance. Health insurance. Car insurance. Home insurance. In almost no time I purchased all at insurance from him.

Now I am 81, the term life insurance for me ended at 75 years old. I guess it made me feel more secure at the time. Murray King, the insurance salesman you see in this clip, sold hundreds of very wealthy people on Long Island insurance and it made him one of the most successful insurance salesman in America.

This is a clip from my first documentary feature film titled King, Murray on Murray’s trip with some of his customers to a las Vegas junket. The film won the Cannes Film Festival Critics Prize in 1969. Critics saw it as experimental, especially when i told the press how I made it– that I had "staged" some of the scenes. The New York Times panned it and the Wall Street Journal called it one of the 10 best films of that year.

I found an old letter that Murray sent to me when I told him I didn't need life insurance. He wrote:

“A life insurance policy provides a financial safety net for your loved ones in the event of your death. The death benefit can help replace lost income, pay off debts, and cover daily living expenses, ensuring your family can maintain their standard of living.

Funeral and burial costs can be expensive, and a life insurance policy can help alleviate the financial burden for your family during a difficult time.

Outstanding debts, such as mortgages, car loans, and credit card balances, can be covered by a life insurance policy, preventing your loved ones from inheriting the burden of your debts.

Life insurance can be used as part of your estate planning strategy to ensure your beneficiaries receive an inheritance, as the death benefit is typically tax-free.

Some types of life insurance, like whole life or universal life, have a cash value component that accumulates over time. This cash value can be used for emergencies, education expenses, or even supplementing retirement income.

Life insurance policies often come with tax advantages, such as tax-deferred growth on cash value and tax-free death benefits for beneficiaries.

Knowing that your loved ones will be taken care of financially in the event of your death can provide significant peace of mind.”

While I did not buy the insurance from Murray his letter freaked the hell out of me. I couldn't think about my own death. I was only 26 years old. Now at 82, when I don't have any life insurance any more, I certainly think about my death and wish that I had Murray around to help me figure out what to do to protect my family.

Regarding the Cannes Critics Award. The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. One of the important independent award givers is the International Critics' Jury. The prize is significant because it represents the viewpoint of international film critics.

The methods and strategies for selling life insurance have evolved considerably from 1969. Here is how Murray sold insurance back then:
In the 1960s, much of life insurance was sold through personal interactions. Insurance agents would often go door-to-door or set up appointments to meet potential clients in their homes or offices. Murray sold to rich folks.
The underwriting process was time-consuming and manual. It often required extensive medical exams and paperwork. Most agents relied heavily on printed materials, such as brochures, to provide information to potential clients. There was no internet, so online quotes, digital policy management, and electronic application processes did not exist. Building and maintaining personal relationships was essential. Many agents like Murray were deeply embedded in their communities and relied on referrals and word-of-mouth for business.
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Thank you
David Hoffman filmmaker