This week we travel back forty one years to 1974. For those who were around then, do you remember what it was like back then? Let’s take a look back at what the costs were and what some of the news headlines were in a year when inflation was at an all time high.
In 1974 the average income was only $13,500 a year and the cost of a new 2 bedroom home averaged $35,000. The average cost for a new car was $3,700 and a gallon of gas was a reasonable 55cents a gallon. You could by Kellogg’s Corn Flakes for 49 cents a box, a 6 pack of Pepsi for 88 cents and the popular Campbell’s Tomato Soup was just 12 cents a can. The new computer watches were $250. , Samsonite luggage was $65. A top name man’s 3 piece suit went for just $69. As for news around the world and U.S. in 1974 one of the biggest highlights was the resignation of Richard Nixon as president after the Watergate scandal. Gerald Ford takes over as president and announces an amnesty program for Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. Henry Kissinger convinces Syria and Israel agree to a ceasefire on the Golan Heights. President Isabela Peron ( Evita ), Juan Peron’s third wife, becomes President of Argentina when her husband dies. Work begins on the 800 mile long Alaska Oil pipeline and the Sears Tower in Chicago becomes, at that time, the world’s tallest building. The 55 MPH speed limit is put into effect throughout the U.S. to preserve gas usage, the trucking industry is not happy with it. The MRI scanner is put into use, pocket calculators make their debut and the first use of the UPC bar code begins.
In the world of entertainment in 1974 among the big hit Hollywood films were The Sting, Serpico, Murder On the Orient Express, The Exorcist and Blazing Saddles. In the world of music the hit makers for the year included ABBA, Deep Purple, Paul McCartney, the beach Boys and Queen. The hit TV shows of the year include Kojak, Six Million Dollar Man, Kung Fu and The Waltons. Among the celebrities we lost in 1974 were newscaster Chet Huntley, comedian Jack Benny, baseball great Dizzy Dean, TV host Ed Sullivan, actress Agnes Moorehead and singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas & Papas.
In 1974 porn was still somewhat in its infancy, but growing much bigger. Most everything was filmed in the New York area while the Mitchell Brothers were shooting in San Francisco. New stars would emerge like Vanessa Del Rio, John Holmes, Constance Money, Andrea True, Ron Jeremy among them. From the cheap loops that began the era, now it was full productions with stories, plots, real acting and sex. In 1974 many theaters were showing porn as some good ones came out, including the one we look back at today, “Wet Rainbow”.
Wet Rainbow – Arrow Productions – Director – Duddy Kane – Cast – Georgina Spelvin, Valerie Marron, Mary Stuart, Harry Reems, Alan Marlow.
This is a film that might be one of the most forgotten films of the ‘70’s, but nonetheless, it remains a classic from the golden age. Back then directors like Gerard Damiano, Henry Paris and Alex DeRenzy were tops in the field, there were others like “Duddy Kane” the director of this film. While never proven, this was supposedly a pseudonym of a director who was well known in mainstream films.The reason for a lot of the guessing about Kane and who it really might have been was the exceptional high quality of the acting, locales, settings and structure of the film, not mention the music that was written and used in the film. The fact is not only was the music used to highlight scenes, but one of the songs had true pop potential but got rejected because it was being used in a porn film. Then add the casting of performers who were not only sexually solid, but had real serious acting chops and it all added up to a great film.
The film stars two of the earliest icons of adult Harry Reems and Georgina Spelvin as a happily married husband and wife. They live in Greenwich Village and he is a photographer and college professor and his wife is a painter. They live somewhat of the village lifestyle in a very trendy loft. Their sex lives are good ones as we see in their scenes (there are eight sex scenes in the film). Enter Rainbow (Valerie Marron) as the college student. She is saddled with a very sexual roommate, Mary Stuart and it drives her crazy. So she sets out to seduce the professor into some sexual pleasure of her own. She sends him a photograph she hopes will convince him but he doesn’t give in. Instead he discusses the situation with his wife. Turns out she has always had a suppressed desire to make love to a woman but has never acted on it.
From here the film takes on a true mainstream direction as the story plays out all the pros and cons of having Rainbow become part of their sexual lives. It is well done on all points adding to the overall enjoyment of the sex scenes that take place and to the story itself. The sex scenes are filled with lust, passion and need and done very well allowing for some very enticing visuals. Marron is perfectly cast as Rainbow and carries her role very realistically and convincingly. Reems and Spelvin, two real pros, truly give this production a mainstream feel from start to finish. The ending of the film does offer a twist regarding this entire relationship and what it brought into each one’s life making for an entertaining view both from the story and plot as well as the sex..
You should be able to locate this as it has been re-released on DVD so definitely give this one a look. It is a beautifully layered film from direction to acting to the settings and of course the sex. The cinematography focuses on the characters and brings the scenes to life with some exceptional exterior and interior shots. The music, as we mentioned earlier, is exceptional and helps heighten many of the scenes as well as the opening. “Wet Rainbow” is a true classic from porn’s golden age that most assuredly deserves your view.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
