The Dark Side of Tomorrow (1970)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Directors:

Jack Deerson
Barbara Peters

Writers:

Jack Deerson (screenplay)
Jack Deerson (story)
(more)

Release Date:

April 1975 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A Tormentingly Sensitive Love Story

Plot:

While their husbands are away on a hunting trip, two bored housewives get together to commiserate. One thing leads to another...

Plot Keywords:

Discussion | Actor | Lesbianism | Lesbian | Housewife

Cast

Elizabeth Plumb	...	Denise
Alisa Courtney	...	Adria
John Aprea	...	Jim
Wayne Want	...	David
Marland Proctor	...	Casey
Luanne Roberts	...	Producer's Wife (as Luan Roberts)
Elizabeth Knowles	...	Mona (as Elizabeth Knowels)
Jamie Cooper	...	Joe
Sally Federn	...	Card Player
Linda Handelman	...	Card Player (as Linda Hendelman)
Vince Romano	...	Waiter
Laura Patton	...	Lesbian
Geretta Taylor	...	Lesbian (as Geretta Jean Taylor)
Russ Milburn	...	Policeman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Queen Mary Dancers	...	Themselves

Directed by
Jack Deerson		(as Jacque Beerson)
Barbara Peters		(as Barbara Peeters)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Jack Deerson		screenplay (as Jacque Deerson)
Jack Deerson		story (as Jacque Deerson)
David Novik		story
Barbara Peters		writer (as Barbara Peeters)

Produced by
Harry H. Novak	....	executive producer
David Novik	....	producer
George Watters	....	associate producer (as George D. Watters)

Original Music by
Jerry Wright

Cinematography by
Jaque Beerson
Jack Deerson		(as Jacque Beerson)

Film Editing by
Richard Weber

Production Management
R. Michael Stringer	....	unit production manager

Camera and Electrical Department
John Caper Jr.	....	still photographer (as John Caper)

Production Companies

• Able Films

Distributors

• Avante-Garde Distributors (1971) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Boxoffice International Pictures (BIP) (1975) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Pathfinder Pictures (2006) (USA) (theatrical)
• Able Films
• Cinema Epoch (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Something Weird Video (SWV) (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Wolfe Video (2007) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Just the Two of Us

Runtime:

84 min | 74 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cajun Bistro - 8301 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Company:

Able Films

Movie Connections:

References Hello, Dolly! (1969)

Positive, sensitive portrayal of lesbianism.

The plot for this film centers on the lesbian affair, between two lonely housewives. Both of these women are neglected, by their frequently absent husbands. After seeing two lesbians showing affection at a café one day, the two housewives become intrigued.

The wives wind-up turning to each other for companionship, and eventually, a love relationship. The bedroom sex scenes between the wives are romantic, and tastefully filmed. They are also shown cavorting with each other through a park, on a merry-go-round, and riding horses along the beach.

One of the wives is seduced by a handsome young man, and this causes a strain in the relationship between the two women. The young man was only using the woman for sex though, and then he leaves her. Afterwards, she's left to ponder whether the lesbian relationship with her friend, is truly right for her or not.

Overall, the treatment of lesbianism in this movie, was positive. Especially considering that this film was made back in the 70s. Women's lib, had only just begun to filter into mainstream society by then. Even though society was already in a post-Stonewall period when this movie was made, the mainstream media was still basically homophobic in the 70s.

So this film does stand-out, as one that treats the subject of lesbianism with sensitivity, and in a non-judgmental way. It was ahead of it's time, in showing that lesbians were just as human, and worthy of respect, as their heterosexual counterparts. It was a bold way, to portray lesbians on film in the 70s. Highly recommended, for those interested in seeing a film about a tender, loving lesbian relationship.