The only interview of Costello that I could find about the composition said the following:
"I’d daydreamed about being able to get into the derelict building and run pictures of my own choosing, and kids later made up stories about teenagers breaking in and running amok.
Later still, I wrote a macabre, carnal tale called “Dr. Luther’s Assistant,” which, in my mind, was set at this exact location."
Home movies were often low-quality 8mm films from the 1970s. Silent with no subtitles.
"When the film keeps playin' playin'"
During that period, a popular way to view pornography was by viewing loops that played continuously.
"Oh, "He's Dr Luther's Assistant / He'll close in when he seems so distant"
The cameraman stays out of the frame ,but comes in for the close-up.
"He'll get on top of you when you lower your resistance"
The cameraman gets sloppy seconds after the male talent has popped his shot.
"Luther is locked in a broken-down cinema"
Peep shows were frequently located in derelict cinemas abandoned by mainstream movie distributors.
"Watches his wife with his video camera"
Luther's wife performs sex with others in part to satisfy Luther's voyeur and cuckold fetishes..
"Sees his best boy makin' her grin"
The 'best boy' is a technical assistant on a film crew..Luther watches the loop of his assistant having sex with his wife.
"Out of the kitchen, she's gone with the wind"
A popular saying at the time was that the perfect wife was a lady in the parlour, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in bed. Being out of the kitchen
Gone with the Wind was for many years the biggest box office success from Hollywood. It was a carnal tale considered racy for the time. It could also mean that Luther's wife has run off with his assistant.
The only interview of Costello that I could find about the composition said the following:
"I’d daydreamed about being able to get into the derelict building and run pictures of my own choosing, and kids later made up stories about teenagers breaking in and running amok.
Later still, I wrote a macabre, carnal tale called “Dr. Luther’s Assistant,” which, in my mind, was set at this exact location."
https://www.vulture.com/2015/10/elvis-costello-on-his-inspiration-for-alison.html
That isn't much to go on.
"Home movies with no subtitles"
Home movies were often low-quality 8mm films from the 1970s. Silent with no subtitles.
"When the film keeps playin' playin'"
During that period, a popular way to view pornography was by viewing loops that played continuously.
"Oh, "He's Dr Luther's Assistant / He'll close in when he seems so distant"
The cameraman stays out of the frame ,but comes in for the close-up.
"He'll get on top of you when you lower your resistance"
The cameraman gets sloppy seconds after the male talent has popped his shot.
"Luther is locked in a broken-down cinema"
Peep shows were frequently located in derelict cinemas abandoned by mainstream movie distributors.
"Watches his wife with his video camera" Luther's wife performs sex with others in part to satisfy Luther's voyeur and cuckold fetishes..
"Sees his best boy makin' her grin"
The 'best boy' is a technical assistant on a film crew..Luther watches the loop of his assistant having sex with his wife.
"Out of the kitchen, she's gone with the wind"
A popular saying at the time was that the perfect wife was a lady in the parlour, a cook in the kitchen and a whore in bed. Being out of the kitchen
Gone with the Wind was for many years the biggest box office success from Hollywood. It was a carnal tale considered racy for the time. It could also mean that Luther's wife has run off with his assistant.
@BaxterBotox Being out of the kitchen and in bed made her a whore.
@BaxterBotox Being out of the kitchen and in bed made her a whore.