This week we are going back to the beginning of the 1980’s, 1981 to be exact, and see just what was what some thirty four years ago. If you were around then how much do you remember from the beginning of that new decade?. We also take a look back at one of the porn classics from that year.
So as we always do, let’s begin by looking back at what it was like to live back in 1981. To begin with the average income was $21,000 a year and the cost for a new 3 bedroom home averaged $78,000. A gallon of gas was now $1.25 and in the area of food, turkey was 55 cents a pound a dozen eggs 90 cents. A new Zenith 19” color TV sold for $400 and a Tandy TRS 80 PC1 was $150.00. Kids could get the new Star Wars figure set for $30 (imagine what they are worth today!) As for the news headlines around the world and U.S., Ronald Regan was president, Iran releases 52 American hostages, who had been held for 444 days. In the UK, Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales. In Egypt, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat is assassinated. In the U.S. Sandra Day O’Connor is nominated to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The introduction of the first Frequent Flyer Miles AAdvantage is introduced by American Airlines. The first American test-tube baby is born. Reagan fires the air controllers after they strike. Walter Cronkite retires as CBS news anchor replaced by Dan Rather. First flight of US Space Shuttle Columbia takes place. IBM in US launches its first PC which uses Microsoft Software MS DOS and the term INTERNET first mentioned.
In the world of entertainment in 1981 among the hit movies were Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Stripes and Porky’s. In music some of the hit makers included Air Supply, Blondie, Kool and the Gang, Dolly Parton and REO Speedwagon. As for TV among the hit shows were Dallas, Three’s Company, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart and Dukes of Hazard. In 1981 among the celebrities we lost, we were saddened by the loss of former actress Princess Grace Kelly, actor/comedian John Belushi, actor Henry Fonda, rock and roller Bill Haley and former Heavyweight boxing champ Joe Louis.
The porn industry’s growth continued and while New York was still producing some porn, more films were now being shot, and studios opening in California. It was a time when the VHS craze was not far away and would change the face of porn forever. New stars were emerging and 1981 produced some great adult fare such as “Amanda By Night”, “Bad Girls”, “Vista Valley PTA” and the film that we take a look back at today, “Amanda By Night”
Amanda By Night – Caballero Video – Director – Gary Graver (Robert McCallum) – Cast – Veronica Hart, Samantha Fox, Lisa De Leeuw, Brooke West, Lee Carroll, Arcadia Lake, Pat Manning, Nicole Black, Mai Linn, Jamie Gillis, Frank Hollawell, Herschel Savage, R. Bolla, Ron Jeremy, Eric Edwards, Jon Martin, others.
The film had several things going for it to turn it into the classic it has become. First, it had an excellent story line and plot that kept your interest. Second, it had a cast that is a porn aficionado’s dream, and third it had a mainstream look and feel to it. It was a murder mystery with twists and turns that kept you wondering what might happen next. Then there were the sex scenes, ten of them, that were spaced into the film at the right time and fitting into the overall story very well. It was film that had everything in just the right doses.
The film centers on Amanda, with Veronica Hart in the title role and one of her very best performances. She is a former high priced call girl, who has become a madam. She has a boyfriend Friday (Jamie Gillis). He asks her for a favor and to play a dominatrix role and get a couple of her girls for a client, who happens to be a big time city politician. She sets up the meeting with two of her girls, Samantha Fox and Lisa De Leeuw. However, they make fun of the guy, especially Samantha and he drowns her in his pool. Both Veronica and Lisa see what he has done and now their lives are in danger. Friday happens to tied into the politician because he wants to open a night club and needs a zoning change. He is aware of what Amanda saw and winds up getting whacked by this politician. A detective (Richard Bolla) perfect in a Sam Spade kind of way, is brought in to protect Amanda while the search for the killer goes on. The detective isn’t happy about protecting a hooker. Amanda has no use for him and won’t cooperate. With no choice considering the danger she is in, they begin to form a bond. There is also another detective, Rosario (Ron Jeremy) played well in a sleazy way who is not the nicest guy on the force . As the story moves along with twists and turns in finding the killer, the detective and Amanda get close. However, when the confrontation does take place, the detective has been delayed getting to her so Amanda has to take on the killer by herself. What happens from that point on is pure Hollywood murder mystery stuff and makes for a very good film all around.
As I mentioned there are ten sex scenes in the film. Ms. Hart is in four of them including a solo scene. Even with that many sex scenes it doesn’t take away from the film because they are not dragged out, but provide plenty of heat. The sex scenes are well orchestrated, with the right lighting, settings and come across very well. They take nothing away from the story line and plot, in some instances even add more to the overall mystery taking place.
The film is crisply and artfully directed by Graver/McCallum letting the characters develop. The cinematography, lighting and music has somewhat of a nior feel of a 70’s style mainstream or TV film. The writing is excellent and the cast displays some awesome acting chops with their characterizations and performances. It is the kind of porn film that holds your interest from the first frame to the very last. It was a winner of six AFAA awards which included Best Actress for Ms. Hart, Best Director and Best Film. It is a true classic from the golden age that is thoroughly enjoyable. While the transfer of the original to DVD is not that sharp it is still one to get hold of. “Amanda By Night” is one of those golden classics that belongs on the must see list as one of the very best to come along in the history of porn.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
