United Artists
A Forgotten Chapter in Tom Selleck’s Early Career
Long before he became a household name as the mustachioed private investigator Thomas Magnum, Tom Selleck was cutting his teeth in the world of low-budget genre cinema. While pop culture history often fixates on the fact that Tom Selleck might have lost out on the role of Indiana Jones, his earlier filmography offers a fascinating glimpse into his development as a leading man. Specifically, his turn as James Robertson in the 1972 supernatural thriller “Daughters of Satan” serves as a quintessential example of the era’s experimental horror.
Why “Daughters of Satan” Deserves a Modern Revisit
Though it has largely faded from the public consciousness, “Daughters of Satan” is currently enjoying a resurgence among genre enthusiasts. The film is available to stream for free on Tubi, providing a perfect opportunity for fans to witness Selleck’s first major starring role. The movie occupies a unique space in the horror canon; it balances genuine, eerie tension with the kind of campy, unintentional humor that defines the best cult classics. It is a strange, dark, and highly entertaining artifact of 1970s filmmaking that feels distinct from the polished blockbusters Selleck would later headline.
The Vision Behind the Lens
The film’s distinct aesthetic is largely credited to director Hollingsworth Morse. While Morse may not be a household name today, he was a titan of the television industry during the mid-20th century. His resume is a roadmap of classic American television, boasting credits on iconic series such as “Zorro,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “The Fall Guy.” Perhaps most impressively, Morse was a driving force behind “The Lone Ranger,” having helmed 50 episodes of the legendary western. His background in episodic TV gave “Daughters of Satan” a fast-paced, structured narrative style that keeps the supernatural plot moving, even when the scares lean into the surreal.
