SEPTEMBER’S EROTIC THRILLS IN THE NIGHT: THE NIGHT EYES SERIES.
With sincere apologies for skipping an Erotic Thrills In The Night entry for the month of August, now Uncle T is really in for it because we’re forced to make up for it by reviewing NIGHT EYES parts 1 – 3.
If you’re a fan of erotic thrillers, you unquestionably know about Night Eyes. Even the most casual movie viewer at least has heard of Night Eyes. Why? Because people walked by these VHS box covers at virtually every movie rental store during the 1990s. As a kid, these covers were my personal introduction to steamy cinema and softcore erotica, long before finding my friend’s uncle’s Playboy stash and even before calling late night 1-900 hotlines (and abruptly hanging up the phone).
Night Eyes (1990)
The first in the series stars erotic thriller king Andrew Stevens alongside Tanya Roberts, with Stevens being a home security guard who’s “hired” to protect a David Coverdale-looking rockstar’s estranged wife during their messy divorce. As we quickly find out in this film franchise, Andrew Stevens’ character Will Griffith is the worst security guard of all time. The rockstar ex-husband is a perfectly burnt-out, miserable musician who’s way past his prime. His ego and all his money makes him a monster towards his ex-wife. Security expert Griffith sympathizes and of course his horniness takes over, with the security guard and mistreated woman left in the house to make sure his nightstick still works — if you know what I mean and I think you do. The erotic scenes are off the charts in this one and it proves that Andrew Stevens really paved the way for the straight-to-video erotic thriller genre.
Night Eyes II (1991)
Andrew Stevens. SHANNON TWEED. If saying those two names back to back doesn’t give you a slight tingling sensation, you better check your libido. Night Eyes 2 is the continuing story of security guard Will Griffith, who this time is hired to protect a foreign diplomat after an assassination attempt. The diplomat’s wife is played by the empress of erotica Shannon Tweed who of course becomes involved with Griffith because Griffith can’t help falling for these neglected housewives immediately after he’s installed his surveillance home security systems. Unfortunately this sequel was too predictable with the only memorable scenes being Shannon Tweed working out and a sexual encounter featuring a bowl of raspberries…
Night Eyes III (1993)
Oh boy. Here’s where things get a little confusing but mighty entertaining. Shannon Tweed returns for the 3rd installment but she plays an entirely different character! All while looking exactly like the blonde bombshell that is she is (and not in disguise). This time she plays a mega TV star on a cop show called Sweet Justice. Tracy Tweed (her real life sister) plays her partner on the fictional TV show. When Shannon starts being stalked by a relentless ex-boyfriend who’ll stop at nothing, she hires a bodyguard and you guessed it — it’s everyone’s #1 security guard Will Griffith! Sexual, animal attraction quickly ensues between Tweed’s character and Griffith. Not only does Andrew Stevens star in the movie once again but he also wrote and directed this entry! Night Eyes 3 is probably the most interesting and dare I say “thought out” movie of the series.
Before I get ripped apart by the Night Eyes faithful, I fully realize there is a fourth movie titled Night Eyes 4: Fatal Passion which is on my watch-list.
These movies are difficult to track down as they have become almost completely lost in the home video market (even streaming). This is the case with so many erotic thrillers of the era. They fell in a strange time where VHS was still reigning supreme but the once the DVD market came into play, many of them didn’t make the crossover. Perhaps it’s because so many titles were lumped into the “softcore” or “adult” universe. This is unfortunate because erotic thrillers have much more to offer. It’s interesting to think about all the low budget movies in the horror genre that initially bombed and went nowehere — now decades later getting the gold treatment and resurgence. That’s due to the horror community being such a tight and powerful group of movie lovers. The erotic thriller community needs to step up. I’m here to support.
Hopefully you can track down the Night Eyes movies and pay your respects to Andrew Stevens, a guy who the genre would not be the same without. One interesting thing to note is that the “story” of Night Eyes reportedly was inspired by Stevens’ affair with one of Rod Stewart’s ex-wives. As Night Eyes director Jag Mundhra explained in an interview with rediff.com “One night, as Andrew was quietly slipping out [of Stewart’s house], a security guard came up to him and said, “Goodnight, Mr. Stevens.” He then realised that the entire house was bugged.”
‘Erotic Thrills In The Night’ is a monthly chronicle into the forgotten world of the erotic thriller movie genre. These sultry titles and steamy VHS covers were at their absolute peak during the early 1990’s but as years progress, they fall deeper into the abyss. Inspired by the recent documentary We Kill For Love, this monthly feature will attempt to resurrect these films and keep you on the brink of seduction. We can’t predict what indecent behavior will be committed or how much illicit, unprotected, promiscuous activity will ensue, but prepare for a wild ride with lots of saxophone.
uncletnuc.com 
Big fan of Andrew Stevens from The Terror Within 1 & 2. Also redhead Tracy Tweed was SO my jam. For some reason Family Video always put these softcore videos on the top rack of their alphabetical movie section. I guess so the kiddies wouldn’t see them in their line of sight when looking for The Nightmare Before Christmas.