Drama Cult Classic

A pot-smoking singer, a tent-show preacher, and a gospel-rock hustle on the road to excess.

SOUL HUSTLER

May the Lord have mercy on your soul...

1973 · 1h 21m · PG · Drama / Musical · IMDB TMDB

Singer Matthew Crowe teams up with a tent show preacher 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.

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Vault Note

File under: sermons, sandals, and showbiz shenanigans.

Programmer's Pick

Where else can you see mustachioed rockers in monks’ robes backing up a white-robed, pot-smoking antihero? Soul Hustler delivers gospel rock, backroom deals, and a cautionary tale of success with a side of 1970s excess—all under the watchful eye of Burt Topper.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Editor’s Choice

Little Miss Innocence

The Flower in His Mouth

1975 · 8.0

Opening Night

1977 · 8.0

Quick Answer

What is Soul Hustler about?

Soul Hustler is a 1973 American drama-musical film directed by Burt Topper about a wandering singer who joins forces with a preacher to deliver rock-infused gospel sermons, achieving sudden fame and facing the pitfalls of fortune.

Details & Specs

Director: Burt Topper
Writer: Burt Topper
Release: 1973
Runtime: 1h 21m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Drama, Musical
Also Known As: The Miracle Man, The Day the Lord Got Busted, Lovin’ Man Jesus, Ein Bastard schlägt zu!

Synopsis

Matthew Crowe, a whoring, pot-smoking, wandering singer teams up with a tent-show preacher. The preacher recognizes Mathew's charisma, and together they collect big donations delivering sermons with rocking gospel songs.Soon enough, Matthew lands a record deal, and the older man becomes the manager of Crowe's new act: Matthew, Son of Jesus. They hire a backup group of mustachioed rock musicians, who play in brown monks' robes, in contrast to Matthew's white robe and sandals. Their debut album becomes a huge hit so they go on a concert tour to promote it.

Vault Note

File under: sermons, sandals, and showbiz shenanigans.

Programmer's Pick

— SassyFlix Programmer

Editor’s Choice

Little Miss Innocence

The Flower in His Mouth

1975 · 8.0

Opening Night

1977 · 8.0

Why Cult

Gospel Rock Spectacle

Experience sermons delivered as rocking gospel songs, with Matthew, Son of Jesus leading the charge in sandals and a white robe.

Unusual Music Wardrobe

Behold a backup band of mustachioed musicians performing in brown monks’ robes, a visual as memorable as the music itself.

Seedy Showbiz Rise

Watch the darkly comic climb from tent-show obscurity to record deal glory, shadowed by drugs, carousing, and the lure of easy money.

Trailer

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

What is Soul Hustler about? +

Soul Hustler follows singer Matthew Crowe, who teams up with a preacher to deliver rocking gospel sermons, landing a record deal and finding success while grappling with drugs and fame.

Who directed Soul Hustler? +

Soul Hustler was directed by Burt Topper.

How long is Soul Hustler? +

Soul Hustler has a runtime of 81 minutes.

What genre is Soul Hustler? +

Soul Hustler is a drama and musical film.

When was Soul Hustler released? +

Soul Hustler was released in 1973.