I saw a commercial in which film producer Ron Howard used photographs as inspiration for a film project. I thought to myself, I should do the same for my vision of a Soapy Smith film project.
This is my view as to how such a film should look and feel in the hope of influencing and inspiring the mindset of those who will write and produce such a film. The images I placed here hopefully will capture and "explain" the atmosphere, the mood and the feelings of such a film in ways my vocabulary can't. It is my hope that the film industry will trust my decades of research into Soapy's way of life, his personal, and private character, and emotions, as well as his business, political, and criminal mindset. The air and ambiance of the places he worked and played. The flavor, the perspective, the demeanor, and the spirit of those men and women he associated with as well as of those he cheated and made enemies of. The photos are not in any particular order.
At the bottom of this page you will find
Information involving actors and other talented people I believe should be utilized for such a project. Click the link to go there now.
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| Naturally my book is the best place to start |
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Universal Studios back-lot
"New York" as Denver 1889 |
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| Faro: Soapy's game of choice |
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| Police arresting criminal or victim? |
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| A "friendly" game of poker |
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| Soapy's volunteer armies |
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| Living the good dream |
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| Denver 1884 |
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| three-card monte on a train |
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| It's a "sure-thing" |
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| Shootout on Juneau Wharf |
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| Godfather of Skagway |
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| Soapy and John BowersJeff Smith's Parlor |
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| Denver home |
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| Denver saloon |
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| The gang lures in a dupe |
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| Soapy and ReidShootout on Juneau Wharf |
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| Three-card monte gang |
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| The gang flees Pocatello, Idaho |
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| A "winner" every time |
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| Soapy's wife was a singer |
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| Karin the dress maker |
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| Karin has talent |
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| Corrupt police were helpful to Soapy |
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| That's entertainment |
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| Soapy hawks his prize soap |
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| Soapy swindles boxer Fitzimmons |
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| copy of Soapy's first grave marker |
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| various short cons |
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| Soapy's crooked auction houses |
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| Denver city hall war of 1894 |
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| handbills of the 101 and 317 |
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| Soapy and his gang were sworn in |
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| Karin the dress maker |
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| First class dresses |
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| saloons and guns |
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Denver dangerous saloons
The Arcade and Murphy's Exchange |
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| Old ace of spades |
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| Tie Soapy wore when killed |
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| Gang in city hall jail |
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| Soapy in Denver |
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| movie set |
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| Prize package soap sell racket |
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| Soapy shootout at Pocatello train depot, 1889 |
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| corrupt officers look other way |
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| Juneau Wharf |
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| Soapy's business card |
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| Soapy's private army |
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| Policy store (swindle) |
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| fake telegraph office |
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| Booster "tips" the dupe |
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| shell and pea con |
Who should play Soapy?
I have a
page devoted to people's opinions as to what actor might be best suited to portray Soapy Smith's powerful character. The top three choices are
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Edward Norton
- Johnny Depp
- Whit Haydn: Close up magician/ bunco historian.
- Karin McKechnie: 19th century costume designer/historian.
- "Professor" Dave Bourne: Nineteenth century historian of music and piano.
Locations for shooting a film on Soapy
By no means do I know every location available. The following are here because I found their look to be authentic and interesting.
