This week we take you back thirty five years to 1981. How much do you remember? What were the big stories, what about prices and new advances in technology and more?
As we always do, let’s get started with the 1981 cost of living. The annual average income in the U.S. was $21,000 a year, the average cost of a new 3 bedroom home was $78,000 and if you rented, the average for a 2 bedroom apartment was $300 a month. The prices for new cars ranged anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000, with a Pontiac Sunbird at $5,100. The cost of a gallon of gas had jumped up to $1.25. A 19 inch color TV went for $400, an under the counter dishwasher for $250. For the kids the very popular Star Wars Figure set went for $30. (Imagine what they are worth today!) As for the year’s news headlines, Iran releases 52 American hostages, who had been held for 444 days. Air traffic controllers strike that causes chaos with air travel in the US and newly elected President Ronald Reagan fires them. The first flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia takes place. Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales. Sandra Day O’Connor is nominated to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The first American test-tube baby is born. The introduction of the first Frequent Flyer Miles AAdvantage is introduced by American Airlines. This is the first time the word Internet begins getting mentioned and MS-DOS was released by Microsoft along with the first IBM PC.
In the world of entertainment among the big Hollywood films of 1981 were Raiders of the Lost Ark, Arthur, On Golden Pond, Chariots of Fire and For Your Eyes Only. In the world of pop music hit makers included Blondie, Dolly Parton, Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross, Queen and John Lennon. As for TV among the hit shows in 1981 was Dallas, Three’s Company, Alice, Hart to Hart, Dynasty and Happy Days. Among the celebrities we lost that year they would include former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, singer Harry Chapin, actor William Holden, actress Natalie Wood and rock and roller Bill Haley.
The porn industry saw a big shift to California with more and more films being done on the west coast. New technological advances for cameras and special effects helped make films better and video was about ready to come along. Some excellent porn films came out such as “Vista Valley PTA”, “Little Darlings”, “Amanda By Night” and the classic we look back at today, “Night Dreams”.
Night Dreams – Carribean Films – Director – Francis Delia – Cast – Dorothy LeMay, Loni Sanders, Jennifer West, Jaqueline Lorains, Danielle, Kevin James, Paul Berthell, Fast Steppin’ Freddie, Ken Starbuck, Andy Nichols.
This film was done by a mainstream director doing his first attempt at porn. He delivers a very surreal, erotic, nightmarish, psychological drama that really pushes the envelope with the scenes that are incorporated into the film. The storyline and plot are about Mrs. Van Houten (Dorothy LeMay), a mental patient undergoing a series of experiments by a couple of doctors. These experiments are to discover her sexual feelings and what is imagined and what is real. They keep her in a padded cell as she screams to unseen jailers. She masturbates intensely and begins to imagine, or does she, about the sexual encounters she finds herself in. This is where the film takes on some very strange twists and turns with the desperate wonder of what is really happening to her.
There are scenes that have her going to heaven and to hell in a way only porn could construct. There is a childhood nursery sequence where she becomes involved with a giant Jack in the Box. There is a threesome with Arab sheiks, a campfire cowgirl scene with Danielle that is one of the steamiest in the film. The encounter is made even more memorable by a psychedelic version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” playing throughout this highly charged sex scene. Speaking of music there is also a kitchen scene that you have to see it to understand it, but it will grab your attention. There is an unsettling bathroom rape scene and visits with demons and a lot more as these dreams continue to plague Mrs. Van Houten’s body and mind.
The film is well paced and put together extremely well and delivers plenty of erotic realism by LeMay and the rest of the solid cast. This is a film where the sex scenes, many of them very intense and somewhat strange in their surroundings, work well and provide the spark and electricity the director was seeking. The cinematography and the oddity of some sex scenes also make the entire production come together in a very well done tapestry throughout.
The settings, costuming and the use of music all contribute to the feel of the film. The cast does a very credible job in the varied roles and Ms. LeMay, in a totally different character than she generally plays, handles the Mrs. Van Houten role in a very dramatic and believable way showing off some super acting chops. Delia’s direction and extraordinary cinematography visuals really pulls the viewer into this bizarre world you see take place through the experiments and what the mind can be capable of. It is very different for sure, but brilliantly conceived and put together as a fine display of film art. While the subject matter may not be for everyone’s taste, it is an explosive and mind bending expression of what is real, what is imagined and how the mind can join both together in an often freaky and creepy way. This film will hold your attention throughout.
There were sequels, however none came anywhere close to the original. “Night Dreams” has definitely earned its place among the great film classics from the golden age. I definitely recommend you find the DVD of this outstanding and different film.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
