I first became acquainted with The Rocky Horror Picture Show during my high school years during my time working in the theatre department, as it should be in retrospect. I've been to the midnight shows a few times but I also just genuinely love the film. With the new version airing on the Fox network, I figured it was time to revisit the iconic original film.
Newly engaged Brad (played by Barry Bostwick) and Janet (played by Susan Sarandon) are on their way to announce their engagement to the man they feel is responsible for them meeting in the first place, Dr. Everett Scott (played by Jonathan Adams). On the way to meet him, one of their tires blows out, stranding them in the storming weather. They go looking for a phone at a nearby castle. There they are greeted by the handyman, Riff-Raff (played by Richard O'Brien) and house maid Magenta (played by Patricia Quinn). Soon after, they meet other house members and guests before meeting the master of the house, Dr. Frank N. Furter (played by Tim Curry), a cross dressing, pansexual mad scientist. Frank invites Brad and Janet to stay for the party, a celebration for his latest creation. Not unlike Frankenstein, Frank has made himself a man. But instead of a crudely stitched together monstrosity, Frank has made a blonde haired, blue eyed hunk named Rocky (played by Peter Hinwood). What follow is a bizarre and strange night that will both horrify and then slowly break down the inhibitions of the square Brad and Janet, leaving them very different people in the morning.
There is something about The Rocky Horror Picture Show that has always been irresistible to me. Much of the credit has to go to Richard O'Brien who wrote the original stage show the film is based on and co-wrote the film with Jim Sharman. The film is a loving tribute to the 50's Sci-Fi and Horror B-movies while also being as outrageous and strange as it possibly can be. But yet, underneath all the outrageousness, there is the rather empowering message of "Don't Dream it, Be It," as Dr. Frank sings during the climactic Floor Show musical number. The fact that Dr. Frank lives so openly and so freely and the impact he has on his new guests is part of why the film has endured for the last 41 years. The music is really catchy too, with such standouts as "The Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite," and "Hot Patootie" among them. Honestly, I love all of the songs and know all of them by heart.
The film has a strong cast as well, led by Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter in such an iconic performance that it's hard to separate the two. He just completely owns the role and gives such a spirited performance in the film. Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon do well as Brad and Janet who start the film as two very conservative squares and through the film loosen up more and more as they become more exposed to Frank's decadent life. Meat Loaf shows up as motorcycle riding Eddie for one song, Hot Patootie, before being murdered by a jealous, ice axe wielding Frank, but it's a hell of a song. Richard O'Brien is the definitive Riff Raff and his performance of not only "The Time Warp" but the opening song, "Science Fiction/Double Feature" are perfection.
After all these years, I still genuinely love The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There has never been a movie quite like it that has quite reached the public the way it has. It continues to show in theatres across the country in midnight shows where the audience has call backs they shout back at the movie, a shadow cast that acts out the movie themselves in front of the screen as the audience uses various props during corresponding scenes in the film. It's a film going experience unlike any other that really has become a rite of passage for many. Some will pass it off, saying that they're just having fun with a bad movie. In several interviews, people will bring up Rocky Horror with Susan Sarandon, expecting her to brush it off or say something negative, but each time she's praised it, saying she loves it. Me too, Susan.
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