Fantasies (1981/I)

User Rating:

2.6/10   

Director:

John Derek

Writer:

John Derek (writer)

Release Date:

6 November 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Bathtub | Greek Island | Greece | Boat | Photographer

Cast

Peter Hooten	...	Damir
Bo Derek	...	Anastasia (as Kathleen Collins)
Anna Alexiadis	...	Mayor
Faidon Georgitsis	...	Photographer (as Phaedon Gheorghitsis)
Nikos Pashalidis	...	Priest (as Nicos Paschalides)
Kostas Baladimas	...	Godfather (as Constantine Baladinas)
Therese Bohlin	...	Model
Boucci Simis	...	Beautifuloni
Viennoula Koussathana	...	Saleslady

Also Known As:

And Once Upon a Love (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | France:U | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Athens, Greece

Company:

Klemperer/Arnow Films

Movie Connections:

References The Public Enemy (1931)

Soundtrack:

ONCE UPON A LOVE SONG

FANTASIES (John Derek, 1981; shot 1973) BOMB

Bo Derek's debut film remained unseen for eight years – and that's how it should stayed! John Derek was a competent actor but, as a director, he's virtually the Ed Wood of erotic cinema – not that this is especially explicit, considering that Bo (atypically sporting dark hair) was only 16 when the film was made! John also wrote and photographed it; the latter results in some decent footage of the Greek island setting against which the narrative is set – but the plotting is puerile and the dialogue atrocious!

The character played by male lead Peter Hooten has been brought up with Bo's family: they grew up as brother and sister but, now in their teens, the couple discover they're attracted to one another (but, as I said, don't expect any sexual fireworks!). Still, the worst thing about this is the fact that the protagonists each harbor an obsession all through the film which are not only silly in themselves but irritating in their relentlessness – Hooten wants to turn the remote fishing community into a modernized sea-side resort and keeps expecting a cruise-liner to appear into view (which, of course, it does at the finale); Derek's is even nuttier – she craves possession of a large antique bath-tub!! For the record, the couple are married by the end of the film.

Also involved in the non-events are the female town mayor and a photographer lothario who wants to make a model out of Bo (and who, naturally, incurs the wrath of the jealous Hooten). Occasionally, for no very good reason, we're even treated to snippets from the screening of old Hollywood classics in an open-air movie house to which the whole town assembles (among the titles shown is THE PUBLIC ENEMY [1931])! At the end of the day, while Bo's naivete throughout is undeniably charming, it's not enough to offset the film's overwhelming dullness and amateurishness.