A Night in Heaven (1983)

A married college professor begins a torrid affair with her failing student, who secretly moonlights as a late-night strip-club dancer.

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writer:

Joan Tewkesbury

Stars:

Christopher Atkins, Lesley Ann Warren, Robert Logan

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Atkins	...	Rick Monroe
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Faye Hanlon
Robert Logan	...	Whitney Hanlon
Deborah Rush	...	Patsy
Deney Terrio	...	Tony
Sandra Beall	...	Slick
Alix Elias	...	Shirley
Carrie Snodgress	...	Mrs. Johnson
Amy Lyndon	...	Eve
Fred Buch	...	Jack Hobbs
Karen Margaret Cole	...	Louise
Don Cox	...	Revere
Veronica Gamba	...	Tammy
Joseph Gian	...	Pete
Bill Hindman	...	Russel

Storyline

Faye Hanlon is a prim and practical woman with a NASA engineer husband and a career as a professor at a small Florida college. Among her least favorite students is cocky Rick Monroe who is secretly paying his tuition as male stripper "Ricky the Rocket". When Faye is brought to a sweaty disco full of sweaty housewives, she is shocked to become a front-row witness to - and reluctant participant in - Ricky's explosive performance. Now each kiss has its result of actions, every lie will take its toll. And two desperate lovers will pay the ultimate price for a night in "Heaven".

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Plot Keywords:

male frontal nudity | public nudity | male nudity | lift skirt | hand up skirt | 

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Taglines:

In class, he's just another face in the crowd. In "Heaven", the hottest dance club in town, he's the main attraction.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Night in Heaven

Filming Locations:

Titusville, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,835,421, 20 November 1983

Gross USA:

$5,563,663

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,563,663

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Heaven" by Bryan Adams appeared on the soundtrack of this film before the release of his album "Reckless" a year later (as the third single from the playlist - Adams insisted that the song was to be included when "Reckless" was released when his producer deemed the song as a power ballad which was not deemed as hard rock - the power ballad later paid off when Adams performed the theme song for the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)). It was recorded on June 6 and 7, 1983 at the Power Station in New York City. In April 1985, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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Goofs

When Faye and Patsy are talking at the airport, Patsy is holding her magazines with her left arm. When they hug, the magazines jump to her right arm.

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Quotes

Rick Monroe: You can't take my clothes!
Whitney Hanlon: Why not? I hear you do your best work naked.

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Connections

Referenced in The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: Sleepaway Camp (2018)

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Soundtracks

Which Side of the Bed
Performed by The English Beat
Written by David Steele, David Wakeling, Roger Charlery, Andy Cox (as Andrew Cox) and Everett Morton

User Reviews

If You Expect the Worst, You May be Surprised

I rented this movie as a total goof with a friend about a year after it came out, expecting it to be as cheesy and pathetic as the trailer. This is not great cinema by any means. But some actual thought went into the making of this and it was a lot better than I ever anticipated. In fact, back in the day, Siskel and Ebert actually gave this two thumbs up, for the chemistry between Lesley Ann Warren and Christopher Atkins. It has been said that he was so into his character that after the filming it took him a long time to get over his costar. Lesley Ann Warren's shocked expressions are priceless. The great Bryan Adams songs are relevant; not just tacked on because they are cool and will sell soundtracks. This is not a movie you would ever want to admit aloud that you like. But you may be surprised to find that you're secretly admitting it to yourself.