Soul Hustler

{{Infobox film

| name = Soul Hustler

| image = Soul Hustler.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Film poster

| director = Burt Topper

| producer = Burt Topper

| writer = Burt Topper

| narrator =

| starring = Fabian Forte
Nai Bonet
Tony Russel
Casey Kasem
Larry Bishop{{Cite news|title=People: Larry Bishop: Making his own way|author=Colander, Pat.|date=Oct 1, 1976|work=Chicago Tribune|page=a8}}

| music = Harley Hatcher

| cinematography = Alan Stevenson

| editing =Kenneth Crane

| studio = Burt Topper Productions

| distributor =American Films Ltd

| released = {{Film date|1973|02|20|United States}}

| runtime = 81 mins

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget =

| gross =

}}

Soul Hustler, also known as The Day the Lord Got Busted, is a 1973 American feature film starring Fabian as a preacher.[http://www.fabianforte.net/thedaythelordgotbusted%20.htm The Day the Lord Got Busted] at Fabianforte.net{{cite magazine|magazine=Diabolique|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|title=The Cinema of Fabian|date=26 August 2019|url=https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-cinema-of-fabian/}}

Plot

Singer Matthew Crowe (Fabian Forte) teams up with a tent show preacher (Tony Russel) who uses him as part of his touring show. Matthew lands a record deal and the preacher becomes his manager. They hire a group of musicians and become very successful. However, his new fortune increases his dependence on drugs, and his off-stage carousing threatens his career.

Production

The film was shot in San Diego in 1971.

During production the film used the title That Lovin' Man Jesus{{Cite news|title=Mason and Brando to Costar in New Film|date=Oct 28, 1971|work=Los Angeles Times|page=g15}} and later The Love-In Man.{{Cite news|title=Fabian Has an Itch to Return to Music|author=KORNHEISER, TONY.|date=Jan 3, 1973|work=Los Angeles Times|page=h13}} It was also known as Matthew. Fabian filmed part of the picture at an Osmonds Concert at LA Forum – it was his first public singing performance in ten years.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/cashbox33unse_24#page/25/mode/1up/search/%22love+in+a+goldfish+bowl%22|website=Cash Box|date=18 December 1971|page=14|title=Hollywood Hold That Tiger}}

Release

The film was released theatrically in the south but was a commercial disappointment.[https://books.google.com/books?id=JJhb4abmZv4C&dq=%22I+ran+into+Burt+Topper%22&pg=PA134 Brian Albright: Interview with Joyce King] Wild Beyond Belief! (McFarland, 2008) - (pages 134-136). Linked 2014-06-18

References

{{reflist}}