llis Haizlip was never one to miss a beat, and Mr. Soul! is right on time. Innovative, political, and openly gay before Stonewall, Haizlip was America’s first Black nighttime talk show host. Before Oprah and Arsenio, his show aired live on public television from 1968 to ‘73, during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Black Lives Matter is now louder than ever, speaking volumes on racism in a meaningful manner. But in the days before cell phone journalism, Haizlip’s weekly television show promised “the revolution would be televised.” That revolution was SOUL!. Directed, written and produced by Melissa Haizlip, Mr. Soul! had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and is slated to open in over 50 theaters in the virtual cinema space on Aug. 28.