His name was Iron Eyes Cody. He appeared in over 200 films, alongside Roy Rogers, Richard Harris, and Clint Eastwood, among others. But perhaps his most familiar role is that of an Indian who is appalled by how polluted his nation has become, and who is seen shedding a single, but powerful, tear.
The commercial turned Baby Boomer kids into ecologists. We were deeply moved by Cody's performance. But we didn't know the half of his acting abilities.
The commercial has been rated as one of the greatest ever, by the folks who keep track of such things. Its message is clear as a bell, as Cody's Indian paddles his canoe through a river with floating trash visible while factories in the background belch forth plumes of smoke. Then, pulling his canoe ashore, he walks over to a highway, where a passing motorist flings a bag of trash that explodes at his feet. Finally, as the camera pans up to his face, we see the tear.
The whole time, bold music is playing as might be heard in one of Clint Eastwood's Sergio Leone westerns.
It made quite an impression on us.
A few years after the commercial's 1970 release, we heard, as Paul Harvey would put it, the REST of the story.
Iron Eyes Cody, who had long claimed to be parts Cherokee and Cree, was actually born Espera DeCorti in the small town of Kaplan, Louisiana. His parents were Sicilian immigrants.
As a young adult, he moved to Hollywood, where he changed his name to Cody. At some point after that, he also lost the Italian first name and became known as Iron Eyes,
He took the art of acting to its ultimate point: he became an American Indian. He adopted native American causes, spoke out loudly about their plight, and was always seen in his beaded moccasins, buckskin jacket and braided wig.
He married a native American and adopted two children, also Indians. When rumors of his true ancestry surfaced, he vehemently denied them.
But the proof is in the paperwork. Iron Eyes Cody did, indeed, masquerade as an American Indian. But he was not castigated by his adopted race. The community recognized that he made a choice to become one of them, and support their causes in the process. They accepted him as one of their own.
Cody also spearheaded the Keep America Beautiful campaign, and today, that polluted river he paddled on 37 years ago is much cleaner now, as is the rest of the nation. And a great deal of the reason is that single tear glistening on Iron Eyes Cody's face.
Comments (8)
That was a great commercial. Anyone growing up back then still remembers it. I didn't know he was Italian! Not that it matters. The ad did result in less pollution. I have never been able to throw anything from the window of my fast-moving car since seeing the ads.
Posted by Rhea | July 6, 2007 9:19 AM
Posted on July 6, 2007 09:19
Still gives me chills.
Posted by Wesley | July 6, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on July 6, 2007 09:32
Man, it WAS that long ago wasn't it?! Old Iron Eyes did indeed create one of the most indelible visual communications of the 20th century. It's up there with the Moonwalk (the real one) and a Dodge Challenger commercial as the first things I actually remember from TV.
Posted by John Martin | July 10, 2007 1:39 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 01:39
I wonder what Iron skillet would think of the Mcmansions, big box stores, and SUVs currently in vogue for
many millions of modern
a-go-go americans.
I think he wouldn't cry,
as he would be stone numb from shock at how
we destroyed the soul of America. The 70's were way polluted, but at least they were way
more alive and funky,
even though we had to listen to "Billy don't be a hero" and "The night chicago died" on our transistor radios.
I'll take the big-fro
polluted 70's over the eco-friendly 90's suburban soul-less sprawls anytime!
anyday!
Posted by Scott | July 12, 2007 7:31 AM
Posted on July 12, 2007 07:31
How else would you know not to litter? It takes me back.. You can vote for the "crying Indian" as the best PSA of all-time. http://www.jimmyco.com/display.php?codename=psa
Posted by Jrew | July 23, 2007 9:35 PM
Posted on July 23, 2007 21:35
Posted by Lewis Film | August 28, 2007 4:14 PM
Posted on August 28, 2007 16:14
This was a classic psa! And yes, it was powerful! I remember when throwing trash out on the highways was a common practice! It still happens today, but we have cleaned up a lot on our highways! I remember when I was in boy scouts, project SOAR was big in 69 on! SOAR (Save Our American Resources) We often cleaned along the side of roads!
Posted by Rivers End | January 21, 2009 10:28 PM
Posted on January 21, 2009 22:28
Hey, I just looked at the commercial again...I think I saw our 66 Ford Fairlane in all that highway traffic!!!! Small world! Very powerful commercial!
Posted by Riversend | June 24, 2009 8:46 PM
Posted on June 24, 2009 20:46