This week we travel back forty four years to 1977. For me, 1977 was the year we made the move from New Jersey to Florida and have never looked back. Let’s go back down memory lane and see what the year was like as far as news headlines, entertainment news and more.
As always, let’s first take look at the cost of living in 1977. The average income in the U.S. was $15,000 a year and the average cost of a brand new 3 bedroom home was $49,000. A brand new Chevy Nova was $3,900 and gas was only 65 cents a gallon. You could by a 5” portable TV for $150 and complete stereo system for $250. Women’s tunics were in fashion and only $11 and men’s leather slip on shoes just $14. Here are some of the 1977 news headlines……..New York City had a total blackout that lasted more than 24 hours…….. Jimmy Carter was elected President and the Trans Alaskan pipeline opened……….. The Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr………. The World Trade Center twin towers are completed………. The death of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley at age 42 shocks the entire world……… It was the year when Apple introduced their first computers……Voyager I and Voyager II are launched unmanned to explore the outer solar system………The first commercial flight of the Concorde from the UK to New York takes place…….. A new diet program called Slim Fast comes on the market…….And who could forget the introduction of the Chia Pet that became the rage?
In the world of entertainment the big hit Hollywood films included Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Rocky, Annie Hall, Saturday Night Fever and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. In the world of music among the hit makers were The Eagles, Barbra Striesand, Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees and Fleetwood Mac. As for TV’s big shows that year The Carol Burnett Show, McMillan and Wife, Columbo, Family Feud and Welcome Back Kotter were among them. Some of the celebrities we lost in 1977 would include comedian Groucho Marx, basketball coach Adolph Rupp, actress Joan Crawford, band leader Guy Lombardo, singer/actor Bing Crosby, comedian/film maker Charlie Chaplin and ”The King”, singer/actor Elvis Presley.
In the world of adult, porn films became much more popular as they continued to mesh good storylines and good acting with sex scenes. The majority of films were being shot in New York and regular movie theaters also began to show porn on a limited basis. There were some good adult films in 1977 such as the one we revisit today, “Anna Obsessed” .
Anna Obsessed – Arrow Productions – Director – Martin Martin – Cast – Constance Money, Annette Haven, Susan McBain, John Leslie, Jamie Gillis
This film was first released in 1976 but taken off the market shortly after because some of the subject matter was too strong, even for porn back then. It was re-released under “Anna Obsessed” and enjoyed considerable success and critical acclaim even though there were still some who were worried about the movie’s plot. Most fans may not remember this one, but porn aficionados certainly will. It is in the XRCO Hall of Fame and considered by many long time industry people as one of the best overall films of porn’s golden age.
It has a mainstream feel and look to it right from the opening scene on a rainy night. The story centers around Anna and David Carson ( Constance Money and John Leslie). As the rain comes down the camera goes into the bedroom and we see Anna and David having sex, but it becomes very obvious that she is not enjoying it. It is not the fault of David, who tries everything but nothing seems to work. This frigidity becomes physiological with Anna and she wants to find out the reasons for her problem before it ruins their marriage.
On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with David as he is having a lusty affair with his secretary (Susan McBain). She is giving him everything he is not getting at home. The secretary also has a fantasy man (Jamie Gillis) that appears here and there. As time goes on Anna meets Maggie (Annette Haven) at the train station and they become quick friends. As they part, Anna drops her purse, Maggie picks it up and will get in touch with her. Maggie wants more than friendship where Anna is concerned.
Then comes a scene in the film that changes everything about Anna. It is a very rough, tough, graphic rape scene that may not sit well with everyone, but it is a focal point of the film and who this rapist is that has been lurking throughout the film. I could continue and give you the rest and what happens and to who and how this turns out. However, it is too good a film to not see and discover for yourself.
There is a DVD version available but there have been major cuts made in it. If you can still play VHS and can find a VHS copy then you will have the entire uncut version. The five person cast was magnificent, the acting superb, the settings, cinematography, music, lighting were all that of a mainstream film. The direction of Martin Martin is simply spot on, fluid and realistic. “Anna Obsessed” is truly a golden classic to be viewed. While the main subject matter is a violent one, it is a reality of life and how it can change someone forever.
A few side notes: Leslie Bovee was originally slated to play Anna but because of the violence in the film she turned it down. Ms. Money was convinced to come back from her home in Alaska to take the role.
Like a mainstream film, this one had several weeks of prep and rehearsal and was shot over a 10 day period on real locations in New York City and Long Island. It also had a large film crew numbering more than 30 people. It supposedly had a budget of $100,000 an enormous sum for that time.
Rumors have circulated for years that the director, “Martin Martin” and crew were all from mainstream Hollywood and “moonlighting” doing porn. When you consider all the work and effort put into this film I tend to believe the rumor could well be the truth.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN