As I often point out, folks, it isn't as if actor David Soul is known as any pioneer in the realms of the Fantastic.
As a talent, his was the kind of face that came and went, usually in quieter properties, not the ongoing serials. After finding some big and deserved mainstream success playing the hip partner to one of TV's seminal cop/buddy shows -- Starsky And Hutch, a staple of my youth -- he kinda/sorta drifted here and there into different programs. Every now and then, it was something genre specific, but I followed his work in a few nonetheless.
In one of those weird bits of synchronicity that always tickles my fancy, I'd completely forgotten that he had a small role in an episode of the groundbreaking Star Trek. In fact, one maybe didn't even known it as he was kinda/sorta buried under a weird wig and a lot of make-up for "The Apple," the story of a God who orders his worshippers to kill. It's a great addition to his entire catalogue of work because maybe it shows his talents were just evolving.
As for other adventures?
Also scoring a small role in an episode of I Dream Of Jeannie, he toiled away in whatever project big or small came his way until securing breakout success with Starsky And Hutch (1975-1979). I remember catching a few episodes of that a few years ago and thinking it hadn't aged all that well, but -- hey -- it was the 1970's and fashion was an acquired taste! But the man truly crossed into some wondrous Horror territory with a lead aboard Salem's Lot, a fondly remembered TV-miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King novel. For those who don't know it, Lot garnered an impressive three Primetime Emmys Awards nomination to its credit, along with an equally impressive Edgar Allan Poe Awards in the category of 'Best Television Feature Or Miniseries.'
Folks who enjoy Alternate History-style works would do well to check out another television miniseries project that Soul headlined: 1982's World War III saw the Cold War conflict spiralling out of control with a Soviet invasion into the wilds of Alaska. Soul plays the American man on the ground -- 'Col. Jake Caffey' -- who has the unfortunate task of trying to avert the end of life as we know it in the uncompromising cold; and -- without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it -- let's just say its dark ending was good enough to give this viewer pause. Ah, great memories.
The next year -- also on television -- Soul did something that film fans probably never imagined possible, taking on the role of 'Rick Blaine' in a serialized attempt to bring small screen audiences a lesser version of the film classic Casablanca. (Yes, I watched it. No, it isn't Science Fiction or Fantasy. 1942's Casablanca just happens to be one of my all-time favorite flicks.) I don't fault Soul for the project failing to find an audience -- not many would even think about trying to fill the shoes of Humphrey Bogart -- and it lasted only a handful of episodes.
Still, the man enjoyed a good degree of work after those days, but I think it's safe to suggest that these appearances are the ones that stick with me the most. His was a light that burned brightly for a time, and the world of entertainment was vastly improved by his time in it.
Our warmest thoughts and prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of David Soul.
May he forever rest in peace.
-- EZ
As a talent, his was the kind of face that came and went, usually in quieter properties, not the ongoing serials. After finding some big and deserved mainstream success playing the hip partner to one of TV's seminal cop/buddy shows -- Starsky And Hutch, a staple of my youth -- he kinda/sorta drifted here and there into different programs. Every now and then, it was something genre specific, but I followed his work in a few nonetheless.
In one of those weird bits of synchronicity that always tickles my fancy, I'd completely forgotten that he had a small role in an episode of the groundbreaking Star Trek. In fact, one maybe didn't even known it as he was kinda/sorta buried under a weird wig and a lot of make-up for "The Apple," the story of a God who orders his worshippers to kill. It's a great addition to his entire catalogue of work because maybe it shows his talents were just evolving.
As for other adventures?
Also scoring a small role in an episode of I Dream Of Jeannie, he toiled away in whatever project big or small came his way until securing breakout success with Starsky And Hutch (1975-1979). I remember catching a few episodes of that a few years ago and thinking it hadn't aged all that well, but -- hey -- it was the 1970's and fashion was an acquired taste! But the man truly crossed into some wondrous Horror territory with a lead aboard Salem's Lot, a fondly remembered TV-miniseries adaptation of the Stephen King novel. For those who don't know it, Lot garnered an impressive three Primetime Emmys Awards nomination to its credit, along with an equally impressive Edgar Allan Poe Awards in the category of 'Best Television Feature Or Miniseries.'
Folks who enjoy Alternate History-style works would do well to check out another television miniseries project that Soul headlined: 1982's World War III saw the Cold War conflict spiralling out of control with a Soviet invasion into the wilds of Alaska. Soul plays the American man on the ground -- 'Col. Jake Caffey' -- who has the unfortunate task of trying to avert the end of life as we know it in the uncompromising cold; and -- without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it -- let's just say its dark ending was good enough to give this viewer pause. Ah, great memories.
The next year -- also on television -- Soul did something that film fans probably never imagined possible, taking on the role of 'Rick Blaine' in a serialized attempt to bring small screen audiences a lesser version of the film classic Casablanca. (Yes, I watched it. No, it isn't Science Fiction or Fantasy. 1942's Casablanca just happens to be one of my all-time favorite flicks.) I don't fault Soul for the project failing to find an audience -- not many would even think about trying to fill the shoes of Humphrey Bogart -- and it lasted only a handful of episodes.
Still, the man enjoyed a good degree of work after those days, but I think it's safe to suggest that these appearances are the ones that stick with me the most. His was a light that burned brightly for a time, and the world of entertainment was vastly improved by his time in it.
Our warmest thoughts and prayers are extended to the family, friends, and fans of David Soul.
May he forever rest in peace.
-- EZ
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