Alfred Sole (July 2, 1943 – February 14, 2022) was an American production designer, film director, producer, and writer best known for directing such films as Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) and Pandemonium (1982). Prior to beginning his career in film, Sole worked as an architect. From the 1990s, he worked as a production designer on various television films and series, including Veronica Mars (2004–2007) and Castle (2009–2016).
Early life and career Sole was born July 2, 1943, in Paterson, New Jersey, where he was then raised. He was of Italian descent and raised a Roman Catholic. He graduated from the University of Florence in Italy with a degree in architecture and spent his young adulthood working as an architect.
In 1972 Sole made his directorial debut with his erotic film Deep Sleep. Made a budget of $25,000, the movie was pulled from theaters on charges that it was obscene, and all the prints were confiscated.
Sole's second feature, Alice, Sweet Alice fared better. The film was the feature debut of Brooke Shields, who appeared in a supporting part. The film initially did poorly in theaters due to spotty distribution. It was later rereleased in 1981 as Holy Terror, marketing upon the popularity of Brooke Shields. (commentary)Alice, Sweet Alice eventually proved to have an enduring popularity: In 2017, it was ranked the fourth-best slasher film of all time by Complex magazine.
Sole's next feature Tanya's Island, starring Vanity, also did poorly in theaters. In 1982 his slasher film Pandemonium premiered. It was the last feature film Sole directed. Thereafter Sole worked as a production designer for multiple TV movies and shows. He co-wrote two episodes of Hotel with Paul Monette. From 2009 to 2016, Sole served as the production designer for the network series Castle.
In the late-2010s, Sole relocated from Los Angeles to a farm in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his husband, Rodrigo.
Sole died by suicide at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 14, 2022, at the age of 78. He was survived by his son, Rueben, and husband, Rodrigo.
Filmography Film Year Title Director Writer Productiondesigner Notes 1972 Deep Sleep Pornographic film 1976 Alice, Sweet Alice Alternate titles: Communion, Holy Terror 1980 Tanya's Island 1982 Pandemonium 1984 Cheeseball Presents Television film 1986 Under Siege Television film 1988 Secret Witness Television film 1994 Natural Selection Television film 1994 Shattered Image Television film 1995 Bodily Harm 1995 Night of the Running Man 1995 Glory Daze 1996 Face of Evil Television film 1996 Unforgivable Television film 1996 Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story Television film 1996 Widow's Kiss Television film 1996 In the Blink of An Eye Television film 1996 Every Woman's Dream Television film 1997 When the Cradle Falls Television film 1997 L.A. Johns Television film 1997 Divided by Hate Television film 1998 The Con Television film 1998 Halloweentown Television film 1999 Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies Television film 1999 Replacing Dad Television film 1999 Clubland 1999 Johnny Tsunami Television film 1999 Horse Sense Television film 2000 Miracle in Lane 2 Television film 2000 An American Daughter Television film 2001 Semper Fi Television film 2001 These Old Broads Television film 2001 Hounded Television film 2001 The Poof Point Television film 2002 Gotta Kick It Up! Television film 2003 Right on Track Television film 2004 Slammed 2004 Halloweentown High Television film 2009 Hatching Pete Television film 2009 S. Darko
Television Year Title Director Writer Productiondesigner Notes 1988 Hotel 2 episodes 1988 Friday the 13th: The Series 2 episodes 1989 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Episode: "In the Driver's Seat" 2003 One Minute Soap Opera 2004–2007 Veronica Mars 64 episodes 2006–2008 Moonlight 14 episodes 2009 Melrose Place Episode: "Pilot" 2009–2016 Castle 152 episodes 2016–2019 MacGyver 40 episodes
References
Bibliography
External links