The decade of the 1980′s was a turning point in the country in many ways that would lead to good things and some not so good for the present and future. Still, it was an exciting time even with its share of ups and downs. So what was it like almost forty years ago and what do you remember?
As always let’s look back at what the cost of living was back then, along with what was new and the news headlines from 1983. The average income was $21,000 a year. The average cost for a new 3 bedroom house was $85,000 and if you rented the average for a 2 bedroom was $335 a month. Cars averaged between $5 and $7000 and a Dodge Ram 50 truck went for $5600. Gas had jumped up to $1.24 a gallon, a stamp cost 20 cents, a dozen eggs was 86 cents. In the news headlines………Reagan was President, the unemployment rate was at 9.7% and growing…….Terrorists Bomb US Embassy In Beirut, over 239 Marines and sailors perish………The shuttle Challenger completes four missions including the first spacewalk since 1972, Sally Ride becomes the first female astronaut……The Microsoft Word, which will change the computer world, comes on the scene…… Compact discs are introduced……Mobile phones are introduced by Motorola……The Cabbage Patch Dolls are a big hit and Tonka trucks make a big comeback.
In Hollywood the big films are “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi”, “Tootsie”, “Flashdance” and “Octopussy”. The big TV event of 1983 was 125 million people watch the final episode of “M*A*S*H”, also popular on TV were The A-Team, Simon and Simon, Dynasty and Magnum P.I. In music the big names in 1983 are Phil Collins, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson with “Beat It” and “Billy Jean”. Among the celebrities we lost in 1983 were TV legend Arhur Godfrey, singer Karen Carpenter, football coach “Bear” Bryant, actor David Niven and movie legend Gloria Swanson.
In the world of porn the coming of the VHS dramatically changes the face of porn and how it is filmed and produced. Most production is now being done in California. Some productions were still being done in New York City as well, such as this 1983 classic we look back at today “Midnight Heat”.
Midnight Heat – VCA Pictures _ Director – Roger Watkins – Cast: Cheri Champagne, Dixie Dew, Joey Karson, Sharon Mitchell, Susan Nero, Tish Ambrose, Fred Drizzle, Howard Feline, Jamie Gillis, Michael Bruce.
To begin with this is a dark, gritty, grimy murder mystery that will get you right from the opening scene. The film begins and ends with a murder setting the tone of this entire production filled with flashbacks, sleazy settings and a well constructed story and plot. The film centers on Alan (Jamie Gillis) who is a hit man hiding out in a rundown flea bag hotel after getting caught in the sack with the mob bosses wife. While he hides out in this hotel he has flashbacks of this life he has lived and all that has taken place in it, and it isn’t pretty. There is also a second story that plays along with the plot. It involves the prostitute that is staying with Gillis and her own visions of a bad past.
When you first watch this film it may be a bit difficult to grasp the relationship between Gillis and the other characters. He is in almost every scene as the story totally revolves around him and this dark and morbid life he lives every day. The use of stop action and slo mo works to a big advantage as does the dramatic music used in the background to give it a very much noir effect. But it all plays well and the sex scenes that take place either via flashback or with Gillis in the hotel room all play out well. They are not the usual erotic kind you expect but they are not sleazy or in your face either. Several scenes are well done, in particular a girl/girl scene that Gillis watches take place.
There is a lot to take in with this film and for some the sleazy darkness may be a bit much to handle. But the film is crisply written and the surprise ending to this film brings the story of Gillis’ character full circle. Watkins direction brings out the full murkiness and dark depths of the film and the cinematography is handled in a very stylized way. The performance by Gillis, who was always one of the industry’s top, true actors, is outstanding and one of his best roles in a long and storied career. The rest of the cast, in their supporting roles handle their characters in fine fashion..
It is a film that, even for the time, was considered a risk because of its darkness, but Watkins, Gillis and the rest pull it off and make it a film that is worth seeing. “Midnight Heat” may not be for everyone, but for those who like it dark and with a twist as it looks at the sleazy side of a person’s life, than you will be totally entertained. It is definitely worthy of being one of the golden age of porn’s classic films.
Art Koch, National Features and DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine
