“This photo was taken on set of The Stick Up or Mud as it was originally entitled. Obviously, out of costume, I was helping the crew prepare the ring for the mud-wrestling sequence (at a traveling carnival) in which ‘Duke’, my character, sets ‘Rosie’ (his stowaway, pain-in-the-butt companion played by Pamela McMyler) up to challenge this gi-normous amazon lady … just to put a ‘few bob’ in his pocket. It was a very funny scene. The film was shot entirely on location on the Dartmoor in Devon (the West Country of England) and it was bone-chillingly cold.

“It was as a result of filming scenes like this one that I succumbed to viral pneumonia brought on by the cold, wet weather, and all the mud and cow shit that I had roll around in. To top it off, then, despite running a temperature of 106 degrees, I was asked to do a command performance for the Queen’s Jubilee (1977) back in London. I couldn’t very well say ‘no’ as the organizers had flown my band over from the States. So I hopped on a private jet which the organizers also supplied and flew to London (The Palladium) just for the performance. It was the most prestigious event of the year … but I was so out-of-it, I remember nothing except sweating like a pig and standing next to Dolly Parton’s breasts which blocked my view of the Queen as she moved down the line greeting each of the performers. (There is a photo somewhere … in fact, I may have it … of that moment when the Queen shakes my hand). Anyway, immediately following the show, I was whisked off back to Devon where — touch and go — I spent the next 3 to 4 weeks recovering at a hospital (The Wadleigh House) in Plymouth. Then I went back and finished the film — which unfortunately didn’t do very well.” —David Soul

Click here to watch an interview of David about ‘The Stick-Up’

David Soul (Duke); also starring Pamela McMyler (Rosie); Johnny Wade (Smiley); and in order of appearance: Michael Balfour (Sam); Michael McStay (Mechanic); Tony Melody (First Policeman); Norman Jones (Second Policeman); Mike Savage (Lorry Driver); Gordon Gostellow (Farmer); Connie Vascott (Farmer’s Wife); David King (Farmer’s Children); Leslie Hardy (Farmer’s Children); Julie May (Ericson Matron); Glynn Edwards (First Roadblock Policeman); Robert Longden (Second Roadblock Policeman); Fred Bryant (Ring Announcer); Malcolm Weaver (Fairground Performers); Colin Skeading (Fairground Performers); Paul Fox (Fairground Performers); Stuart Fell (Fairground Performers); Cyd Child (Amazon Lady); Mosher Powell (Manager); Tony Scarlo (Referee); John Bascombe (Spectator); Liz Smith (Hotel Manageress); Ray Durston (George); Alan Tilern (Richie); John Chisholm (Armoured Truck Guards); John Higgins (Armoured Truck Guards); Ted Dabrera (Maharajah’s Servant); Eric Mason (Cyclist) and Mike McKenzie (Hotel Singer).

Elliott Kastner and Danny O’Donnovan presents: Editor: Peter Weatherley G.B.F.E.; Director of Photography: Michael Reed B.S.C.; Music Composed and Conducted by Michael J. Lewis; Executive Producer: Danny O’Donovan; Produced by George Pappas; Written and Directed by Jeffrey Bloom; Associate Producer: Denis Holt; Production Manager: Claude Hudson; First Assistant Director: Frank Ernst; Camera Operator: Jimmy Devis; Camera Focus: Mike Frift; Clapper Leader: Martin Hume; Sound Recordists: Brian Simmons; Gordon McCallum; Boom Operator: Rowland Fowles; Art Director: Lionel Couch; Set Dresser: Ken Ryan; Construction Manager: Bill Surridge; Buyer: Dennis Griffin; Location Manager: Bernard Hanson; 2nd Assistant Director: David Wimbury; 3rd Assistant Director: Steve Harding; Production Assistant: Lorraine Fennell; Continuity: Doreen Soan; Assistant to Elliott Kastner: Sara Romilly; Assistant to Denis Holt: Sylvia Privett; Production Accountant: Derek Tarrant; Wardrobe Supervisors: Elsa Fennell; Mike Jarvis; Wardrobe Assistants: Ken Lawton; Paul Vachon; Hairdresser: Mike Jones; Make-Up: Wally Schneiderman; 1st Assistant Editor: Peter Culverwell; Assistant Editor: Graham Farrow; Sound Editor: James Schieles G.B.F.E.; Assistant Sound Editor: Pat Gilbert; Sound Maintenance: Ron Butcher; Dialogue Consultant: Richard Crowe; Stunt Arranger: Peter Brace; Still Photographer: Graham Attwood; Company Grip: Chunky Huse; Gaffer Electrician: Frank Henney; Electricians: Alan Martin; Bill Pochetty; Jim Lennon; John Higgins; Property Master: John Chisholm; Standby Props: John Cole; Arthur Wicks; Construction Carpenter: T.C. Graysmark; Standby Carpenter: Eric Mason; Rigger: Harry Ratey; Stagehands: Robert Lapper; George Gibbons; Painter: Raymond Smith; Standby Painter: Frank Berlin; Publicity: Alan Surry; Edna Tromans; Casting Director: Rose Tobias Shaw; Production Associate: Steven Nalevansky; Special Orchestrations: Bobby Richards; “Aimiessty” Music and Lyrics by Michael J. Lewis &. Bower, Morrison & Woollard; Vocals by Freddy Williams; “If You Can Give Your Love” Music & Lyrics by Michael J. Lewis & Jeffrey Bloom; Vocals by David Soul; “A Friend Of Mine” Music & Lyrics by David Soul & Jeffrey Bloom; Vocals by Mike McKenzie; “A Friend Of Mine” Music & Lyrics by David Soul & Jeffrey Bloom; Vocals by David Soul; Released on Private Stock Records; Backstage Productions wish to thank: The People of South Devon for their courtesy and co-operation; Filmed entirely on location in England and re-recorded at Pinewood Studios, London, England.

© 1977 Trident-Barber Distribution Limited.