As with any good book, movie, or tv show, the relationship of the main characters is what pulls you into their created reality. Starsky and Hutch are partners, but also best friends and brotherly in their loyalty toward one other. They remind me of Sam and Dean Winchester on Supernatural but without all the shared childhood family drama. David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser directed some of the episodes of Starsky and Hutch and always stayed on set the whole time when the other was directing, even when not on call. I don’t know why that tugs at my heartstrings so much. If you read comments they’ve made about each other through the years, even recently, you’ll see they have a sincere connection that’s never been lost. This seems rare to me in the world of television actors.
Starsky and Hutch and the two actors playing them exemplify positive male energy—enthusiastic, brave, and good hearted. The song Centerfield by John Fogerty symbolizes this dynamic for me. Women glow in the vitality of the positive male.
We’ll look at those amazing actors again in the future. A previous post featured a guest actor on the show—Mel Flory, also a fabulous musician and jazz innovator. Today’s post is to highlight three familiar actresses I saw this week on Starsky and Hutch reruns. You’ll know all or some of these talented women.
In “The Vampire” Suzanne Somers played an exotic dancer named Linda whose co-workers were stalked and killed by a “vampire.” It was such fun to see Starsky buy a vampire kit from Huggy Bear and walk the streets with garlic around his neck. (Note: John Saxon appeared as the antagonist.) Suzanne Somers actually performed in three Starsky and Hutch episodes, including the pilot.
In “The Action” Melanie Griffith portrayed a girl named Julie who helped the partners out with a big gambling charade. The voice I remember from Working Girl was evident in the episode, not so much the breathiness but definitely the soft and sweet tones. (Note: John Carradine also appeared.)
In “Shootout” Jess Walton played a waitress named Theresa who inadvertently started a mob fire fight by helping one man set up a hit on another. Starsky is badly wounded in this episode, and to watch Hutch’s reaction while his partner is hurt is endearing. I know Jess Walton as Jill on The Young and the Restless. Although I had never watched that soap opera until a few years ago (being a General Hospital fanatic), and then only sporadically, Jess is priceless in her role as Jill, a part she assumed in 1987 and still plays today. It was fun to see a much younger Jess Walton with the same husky, sultry voice.
Long live Starsky and Hutch! They make riding my recumbent exercise bike even more wonderful. (Yes, this is the one exercise I enjoy LOL.)
For an insightful, detailed analysis of all the Starsky and Hutch episodes, visit the following remarkable blog: http://merltheearl.wordpress.com
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Oh, my, Flossie! You just hit on my favorite show of the 70s, and my teenage crush . . . David Soul. I remember all three episodes well. Heck, I’ve got the entire series on DVD, LOL. I loved the chemistry between those guys — on and off the set. And looking back, the roster of guest stars was amazing. Thanks for another trip down memory lane!
I thought of you with this post, Mae, as I know you love Starsky and Hutch. I didn’t know David Soul was your love back then. How wonderful! I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying seeing the episodes after all these years. You have the DVDs– outasite! I’m jealous.
It’s pretty cool that they still hold up . . . well, minus the fashions and furnishings, LOL . .. but I love seeing all of those too. And yeah, David was the man. I still have a fangirl crush on him. I’ve got every one of his recordings too. Enjoy the eppies. They are wonderful!