Cult Classics Corner Presents: Rocky Horror Picture Show

By Nate Storey

Starring:
Tim Curry……. Dr. Frank-N-Furter
Susan Sarandon……Janet Weiss
Barry Bostwick…..Brad Majors
Richard O’Brien…..Riff Raff
Meat Loaf…..Eddie

Synopsis: Let’s see if this can even be described so that rational people can comprehend it. This musical follows the adventure of Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who have just become engaged and are en route to see their old professor when they get lost in a storm and have to stop at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who is actually a scientist transvestite from the planet Transylvania; he is holding an annual party for his fellow Transylvanians. Frank-N-Furter invites Brad and Janet to join them as he unveils his creation, the perfectly built Rocky Horror. As the night continues, the movie grows weirder and more bizarre.

Why it’s Great: This is THE cult movie, based on Richard O’Brien’s (Riff Raff) play, especially around Halloween. The movie is often shown at midnight showings with viewers dressing up as characters and bringing props to use at certain times, such as rice and water guns. There are also numerous call-out lines in certain situations that repeat themselves and it is expected that people will sing along and yell the lines throughout the movie. The songs are classics, including “Time Warp” and “Science Fiction Double Feature.” It’s utterly twisted, completely bizarre and extremely wild. Not for faint of heart or the weak of stomach because it’s all about sex and pleasure, though there is no actual sex on screen. Must have a weird streak to you if you want to get through it, but if you do, it is a must.

Best Scene: Just about any of the song and dance scenes would be the best. “Dammit Janet,” “The Time Warp,” “Sweet Transvestite,” “The Floor Show,” and the intro and finale “Science Fiction Double Feature.” Amazing lyrics by O’Brien, great choreography and wonderfully trashy sets and costumes make the movie. The sing-a-long parts are simply the most fun of the entire movie. Brilliant, funny, touching, exciting, emotional. Perfect weirdness. Oddity in the extreme.

Trivia: The movie was banned in South Africa several weeks after release by the Board of Censors, but not before it had been seen by some 250,000 viewers and had a strong cult following.
This movie has been shown continually in movie theaters since its release in 1975. This makes is the longest theatrical run in history.
When the film first opened, it had a traditional release, playing afternoon and early evening screenings. It bombed. In the mid-1970s, midnight screenings became popular and word of mouth began to spread that the midnight audience might enjoy this film. It began showing at midnight in a few cities and it became popular.

Great Quotes:
The Criminologist: I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey.

Frank: Give yourself over to absolute pleasure. Swim the warm waters of sins of the flesh – erotic nightmares beyond any measure, and sensual daydreams to treasure forever. Can’t you just see it? Don’t dream it, be it.

Janet: If only we were amongst friends… or sane persons!

The Criminologist: It’s just a jump to the left.
All: And then a step to the right!
The Criminologist: With your hands on your hips…
All: You bring your knees in tight! But it’s the pelvic thrust / That really drives you insane / Let’s does the time warp again!