"The Soul Hustler" (1973) is an American Films, Ltd. release that starred Fabian Forte as a singing evangelist who seemed completely corrupt when he was discovered for his raw talent of "soft sell" by a ruthless evangelist played by Tony Russell who shows him the ropes to evangelizing and securing enough donations and raise enough confidence in the public to have chart topping record albums and sold-out engagements. However, he had a pair of great danes that cared about him, and those that befriended him like Larry Bishop and Nai Bonet, he tried to use to his advantage. He got caught up in the drugs and sex, but it is Miss Bonet who helps him to see the importance of keeping sacred his own faith he inspires in the many who follow him. Performances are very good, even Casey Kasem as an "anything for a buck" promoter. Fabian, who always seems to defy his own work as when he, as an accomplished actor, does something interesting, he seems to wind up surrendering to an indifferent attitude. Harley Hatcher composed most of the songs and did the movie's score and, once again, as with another movie by the director, Burt Topper (1970's "The Hard Ride" starring Robert Fuller) did an extraordinary job. Hatcher also scored "A Bullet for Pretty Boy" also with Fabian. The premise of the story of "The Soul Hustler" had been done basically in 1958 with 20th Century-Fox's "Sing, Boy, Sing" with Tommy Sands. But like "The Hard Ride" was as a biker picture, it is a different breed altogether. Topper also wrote and produced "The Soul Hustler." It leaves you wondering. And it makes you wonder what else they could do.
Review of Soul Hustler
