This week we travel back in time to 1974. So much changed then it would begin to shape the future we live in today. If you were around back then how much do you remember?
We’ll get started as always with a look at the cost of living in 1974. The average income was up to $14,000 a year and the average price of new 3 bedroom home was $35,000. When it came to automobiles, the average price was around $3,800 (we bought a brand new Ford Maverick for $3,175) and a gallon of gas was a whopping 55 cents a gallon. Food wise a pound of ground beef or bacon was 79 cents, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were 55 cents and you could get 10 cans of Campbell’s soup for $1.00. Men’s velour suits were in fashion and just $32.00 and women’s leather sandals were $29.00. Here are some of the top news headlines for the year …..The biggest one was the findings of the Watergate Scandal. This made Richard Nixon the first US President forced to resign from office with VP Gerald Ford becoming the President. Ford announces an amnesty program for Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. The 55 MPH speed limit is imposed nationwide to preserve gas usage in the U.S. The Sears Tower in Chicago opens and, at the time, becomes the world’s tallest building. Work begins on the 800 mile long Alaska Oil pipeline. In response to the energy crisis taking place in the U.S., daylight saving time commences nearly four months early. Pocket calculators start to appear and offices start using a very primitive word processor that resembles a typewriter. It was a sign of what was yet to come in the world of computer technology. The MRI Scanner is first developed in the USA. It is also when a new puzzle called Rubik’s Cube becomes one of the most popular products invented.
On the entertainment scene in 1974 among the hit Hollywood films are The Exorcist, The Sting, Blazing Saddles, Serpico and The Godfather II. In pop music hit makers include The Beach Boys, Eric Clapton, Deep Purple, Paul McCartney and the Grateful Dead. When it came to TV, among the most popular shows were The Waltons, Kojak, Kung Fu, All in the Family, Six Million Dollar Man and Sanford and Son. Among the many celebrities we lost were comedian Jack Benny, band leader Duke Ellington, singer (Mamas & Papas) Cass Elliot, TV newsman Chet Huntley, writer Jacqueline Susann and TV host/journalist Ed Sullivan.
In the budding world of porn, loops were becoming a thing of the past as full length films with real story lines and plots appear. This would be the start of what would be known as the golden age of porn. Some regular movie theaters began to show porn films to packed houses despite protest groups. There were some excellent productions being done such as the one we take a look back at today, “Marriage and Other Four Letter Words”.
Marriage and Other Four Letter Words – Caribbean Films – Director: Richard Robinson – Cast – Rainbow Robbins, Brigitte Maier, Sandy Dempsey, Nancy Schwartz, Tom Cantrell, Pete Krump, Paul Castano, Sherman Richmond, Franklin Anthon, Keith Nicholson, Rick Cassidy, Keith Erickson.
This film had no major star names and one most people might not remember unless you are a real porn aficionado. Still, it ranks as one of the true classics from the golden age. While the story is rather simple, the way it is directed and carried out packs a good wallop. It revolves around a young married couple ( Rainbow Robbins and Tom Cantrell) who seem to have it all going for them in every way. After an opening sex scene it is now one year later. Over the past year things have changed and become very dull at home. Hubby has an affair and as payback his wife has a sexual fling with the pool boy.
A lot of different characters and their lives are introduced in the film and the couple decide maybe the swinging lifestyle which was very popular in the 70’s (and still is today), is a way to get that “spark” back. Brigette Maier and Peter Krump are the couple who introduce Rainbow and Tom to this new open style of living. They jump right in and take to it quickly and the sex flows freely as our young couple gets very involved in the lifestyle. There is one scene in the film done as a flashback that has Maier and Krump being terrorized by a biker trio that adds some roughness to the film and how this may have led this couple to explore even more about their sexuality and what they really like. It is a different scene for this film but it plays well and figures into how their lives changed.
What makes this film a pleasure to watch is the extraordinary cinematography that you experience right from the beginning. We mentioned the opening sex scene and after some still shots, it is captured in three different ways, the shower, bed and underwater in the pool. Then add in the slo mo pop shots and it is some very masterful filming for the time. It has a very artsy, mainstream look and feel that brings the story and characters full circle. Richard Robinson created a fast paced, creative portrait in his spot on direction. The cast does an excellent job from an acting standpoint as they bring the characters to life giving the subject matter total realism. As for the sex scenes there are plenty of them, but most are very short to the point and do what they are intended to do.
In many ways this film was the beginning of porn films being much more than just sex, but having a solid story, settings, locations and a mainstream look and feel. I definitely suggest getting the DVD as “Marriage and Other Four Letter Words” is a film that you will be completely entertained by.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
