Robert Stambler, also known as Bob, began his career in the Paramount Mail Room before gradually rising through the ranks to become an editor, associate producer, writer, producer, and eventually executive producer.
As a child, I often accompanied my father on car-shopping trips to the Auto Stiegler Mercedes dealership, which unfortunately no longer exists. The showroom floors were so polished that they seemed to be missing only the sound of clicking high-heeled jackboots. The salesmen dressed in what seemed like Botany 500 menswear, as if they were TV extras. My father, on the other hand, wore his everyday work uniform, consisting of white Converse sneakers, new jeans, and a clean, tucked-in t-shirt with a fancy belt.
We would browse the showroom cars, but the salesmen would ignore us. After ten minutes of silence, my father said, "Come on, boys," and we left the dealership. As we passed the semi-circular desk on our way out, a suited man greeted us, introducing himself as the sales manager. My father responded tactfully but with enough conviction to fill the room, saying, "No, thank you. I came to buy a car with cash, but I've changed my mind."
We walked out to our car and heard the public-address broadcast, "Sales meeting in my office. Now, please." My father grinned, saying, "Oh, to be a fly on that wall." During the half-hour drive to Mercedes Benz of H......, my father imparted a valuable lesson to his boys: "Never judge anyone by their appearance."
