This week we take you back thirty four years to the year 1981, the beginning of the decade of the changing 1980’s. It was a rime whewre there would be a lot of ups and downs that would shape our world for the future and the years and decades ahead. If you were around then, how much do you remember from that time and specifically the year we are centering on, 1981?
As we always do let’s take a look back at what the cost of living was for all of us back in 1981. The average income was just $21,000 a year and the cost for a new 3 bedroom home averaged $78,000. A gallon of gas had now gone up to $1.25 and in the grocery store you could get turkey for 55 cents a pound and a dozen eggs for only 90 cents. A new Zenith 19” color TV sold for $425 and a Tandy TRS 80 PC1 was $150.00. The kids could get the new Star Wars figure set for $30 (just think what they are worth today!) and ladies leather boots were the fashion and sold for $50. In news headlines around the world and in the U.S. Ronald Regan was now 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 and will become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. 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 anchor and is replaced by Dan Rather. The 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 is 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 the world of music the hit makers included Air Supply, Blondie, Kool and the Gang, Dolly Parton and REO Speedwagon. In TV among the hit shows in 1981 were Dallas, Three’s Company, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart and Dukes of Hazard. Among the celebrities that we mourned the loss of were 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 continued it’s growth and while New York was still producing some porn, more films were now being shot, and studios opening in California. 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, ”Never So Deep”.
Never So Deep – VCX Films – Director – Gerard Damiano – Cast – Loni Sanders, Lysa Thatcher, Tigr, Anna Turner, Brooke West, Maria Tortuga, Sonya Summers, Tara Aire, Ingrid Pierce, Mike Horner (Don Hart), Mike Ranger, Paul Thomas, Richard Pacheco, Jon Martin
Once again we get another sharp film from director Damiano with an excellent cast who are able to mix some very good comedy with some good sex scenes and make it all work as a solid entertainment piece for adults.
The jist of the story involves Private eye Ginger Trueheart (Loni Sanders) and sidekick Sam Strong (Mike Ranger) who are summoned to the mansion of girlie magazine magnate Huge Heffer (Paul Thomas) with the assignment to track down a girl he met one night on a drunken binge. The only thing he can remember about her is the butterfly tattoo on her butt and her absolutely fantastic oral skills. This fun premise takes our PI’s to the seamy side of San Francisco in the early ‘80s with all sorts of hot action along the way.
Ranger trades oral favors with Tara Aire at the mansion and gets to sample the throats of Brooke West, Sonya Sommers and Victoria Slick all in the line of duty of course. Peepshow booth babe Lynx Cannon and prostitute Anna Turner manage to identify the Mystery Woman who goes by the name of Brandy Wine (Maria Tortuga) now working as an assistant on TV commercials directed by the ridiculously pompous and over the top Carlo Bellafondue (Richard Pacheco). As Ginger goes undercover, trying to land the lead in a personal hygiene infomercial by pleasing both director and the sponsor (Mike Horner), Hef tries to take his mind off things with the help of Miss November (Lysa Thatcher) who stages a tryst with fellow-Misses May and December (Tigr and Ingrid Pierce). There is some very artistic lighting in this scene obscuring the ladies’ faces but highlighting various other parts of their anatomy.
Damiano throws in a lot of funny bits of business and dialogue that really makes this film not only sexually arousing, but also good comedy. The acting by the whole cast is solid and despite the humor (would love to see the outtakes) they stay in character bringing a good dose of realism and believability to their roles. The cinematography is exceptionally well done with some great exterior shots like car rides across town and a hang-gliding sequence giving this film some excellent production values. Known for his more dramatic and thought provoking titles from the golden age, Damiano exhibits a whole different side here with “Never So Deep” that is very sexy, humorous and just fun adult entertainment. This film pretty much has flown under the radar, but it is definitely in the classic category. It is now available on DVD, so do yourself a favor and be sure to check this one out. You are in for a real entertaining and sexy treat.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
