The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (RHPS) (first released in the United Kingdom on 14 August, 1975) is a comedy-horror musical film directed by Jim Sharman from a screenplay by Sharman and Richard O'Brien, who also composed the songs. The film was based on O'Brien's long-running stage production The Rocky Horror Show. After an unexceptional first run, the movie went on to become a cult hit which continues to play weekly in many theaters (usually at midnight). Fans often attend viewings dressed as characters from the film and respond ritualistically to certain events by throwing food, using props, yelling jokes, dancing, and cheering.

The film stars Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Curry. "Little" Nell Campbell, Patricia Quinn, Peter Hinwood, Jonathan Adams, Charles Gray, and O'Brien are featured in supporting roles, while British character actor Christopher Biggins appears in the chorus. Rock singer Meat Loaf makes a brief appearance for one song. Curry, O'Brien, Quinn, Campbell and Adams were in the original cast of the play, and Meat Loaf joined them when the show originally went to the United States at The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles.

In 2005, The United States National Film Preservation Board added The Rocky Horror Picture Show to the National Film Registry.

Taglines:

Action-packed... lotsa laughs & sex... gorgeous gals... thrills & chills... Transylvanian parties... romance.
A Different Set Of Jaws.
Another Kind Of Rocky.
He's the hero -- that's right, the hero!!
Give yourself over to absolute pleasure.
Don't Dream it, Be It!
Dream it in your living room... Be it in the theater! (1990 15th Anniversary Video Release)
A Musical Dream Come True. (UK quad poster)

Plot outline

The story begins with straitlaced couple Brad Majors (Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Sarandon) musically pledging their engagement after attending the wedding of their friends, the Hapschatts. (possibly fueled by Janet catching the bouquet) The church wardens later appear as major characters in the main part of the film. Brad and Janet decide to pay a visit to Dr. Everett Scott (Adams), their academic mentor and the man who introduced them to each other.

Directly after this scene, a Criminologist (played by Charles Gray) begins to narrate the entire story, revealing that the true identities of the church wardens are to meet with Brad and Janet later on, and that it would be a night both of them "would not soon forget." The criminologist continues to narrate, albeit sporadically, throughout the film with an entirely straight face.

While driving to Dr. Scott's residence, they get a flat tire and are passed by several mysterious motorcyclists. With the spare also flat, they must walk back to a remote castle in the woods in hopes of finding a telephone. At the castle, they are welcomed in by servants Riff-Raff (O'Brien), Magenta (Quinn), and Columbia (Campbell), and are whisked into a mind-bending dance sequence called The Time Warp, with Columbia showing off her almost-perfect tap-dance skills and high squeaky scream.

Afterwards, they are introduced to Dr. Frank N. Furter (Curry), a gender-bending scientist from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, who is throwing the party. Brad and Janet are stripped to their underwear, and Frank immediately takes a sexual interest in both of them, which eventually leads the couple to question their loyalty to each other. In a dramatic scene reminiscent of many Frankenstien movies, Frank re-animates a human, an attractive new strongman playmate, Rocky (Hinwood). To Frank's despair, Rocky becomes more interested in Janet than him. Later comments suggest that his others servents, Columbia, Riff-Raff and Magenta are also creations of Frank.

Another of Frank's captives, Eddie (Meat Loaf), a motorcycle-riding rocker and delivery boy, suddenly emerges from a deep-freeze storage vault and sings his rock and roll song, making it obvious that he is Columbia's sometime lover. Frank becomes jealous and uses an axe to murder Eddie right in front of all the servants and guests to Columbia's screams of horror. Frank explains to an upset Rocky that it was a "mercy killing". Rocky is naive and immediately responds to Frank's flattery about his physique. Frank and Rocky perform a mock bridal procession to a bedroom for a quick homosexual honeymoon.

Frank then has quick sexual trysts with Janet and then with Brad. Rocky, is then bullied and chased around by the servants, who having been spying on the escapades. Rocky runs to hide and then falls into Janet's arms.

A wheelchair-bound Dr. Scott arrives at the castle. It turns out that Eddie is Scott's nephew and that Scott has come looking for Eddie. There are inconsequential suggestions that Scott is an agent of the US government or a German of some sort. Scott is soon at Frank's mercy. During a formal dinner, Frank — annoyed at Scott's continued mentioning of Eddie (referring to this as a "tender subject"), reveals that Eddie's dismembered body is hidden beneath the table that they are sitting at (and that they have been served his flesh as the main course and are unwittingly partaking in cannibalism, again Rocky being not bright enough to understand the "tender" comment). Columbia, who loved Eddie and once loved Frank, has conflicting feelings about the two of them and is soon disillusioned and becomes unloyal to Frank. Frank chases Janet, followed by the other characters, and then turns them in to stone statues at the flick of a switch. He prepares the Floor Show, at which each of the characters has been put in a trance and are freed from their frozen state to sing and dance in a cabaret act.

Suddenly, the servants of the castle, Magenta and Riff-Raff, arrive and announce that they are taking the castle back to Transsexual — without Frank. Columbia screams and Riff-Raff zaps her dead with his ray gun. Rocky tries to protect his creator from Riff Raff's ray but Riff Raff kills them both with it even though Rocky initially proves impervious to it. Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott are released from the spell of the castle by Riff Raff and Magenta, who then return home to Transsexual and to once again freely dance the The Time Warp.

Songs

"Science Fiction/Double Feature"
"Dammit Janet"
"Over at the Frankenstein Place"
"The Time Warp"
"Sweet Transvestite"
"The Sword of Damocles"
"I Can Make You a Man" (also known as "The Charles Atlas Song")
"Hot Patootie"
"I Can Make You a Man: Reprise"
"Once in a While" (scene cut from film)
"Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me"
"Eddie"
"You'd Better Wise Up" (sometimes referred to as "Planet Schmanet Janet)
"Rose Tint My World"
"Don't Dream It, Be It"
"Wild And Untamed Things"
"I'm Going Home"
"Superheroes" (song cut from some older American versions of film)
"Science Fiction/Double Feature: Reprise"
"Once in a while" (this never featured in the film, but can be found in versions with special features.

Critical response

Taken at face value, the film could be considered ground-breaking for its frank (albeit comical) depiction of subjects such as transvestism, homosexuality, cannibalism, voyeurism, adultery, and even incest. In addition, the scripting and design displays the writers' knowledge of the history of cinema even beyond the horror and science fiction film genres; for example, there are references to films as diverse as What's Up, Doc?, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Rope, and Triumph of the Will. Nevertheless, the film did not do well initially when released, perhaps because the critics did not know what to make of it or what genre it might be placed in. The other reason was probably poor choice of theater placement, with the studio booking the film in politically conservative towns such as Santa Barbara, California. Generally however, although most critics account this film as tripe, the groundbreaking dip into taboo ensures that it is a hit for the teen and pre-teen fanbase.

Cult following

Despite its initial luke-warm critical and commercial reception, the film developed a cult following, becoming a midnight hit at the Waverly Theatre.Beale, Lewis. "John Hughes Versus the Vampires: The Dilemma Of the Midnight Movie", New York Times, June 19, 2005 People began shouting responses to the characters' statements on the screen. These mostly include melodramatic abuse of the characters or actors, vulgar sex jokes, puns, or pop culture references.

Other audience participation includes dancing the Time Warp, throwing toast, water, toilet paper, hot dogs, underwear, and rice at the appropriate points in the movie (many theatres forbid throwing things that are difficult to clean up, such as confetti or buttered toast). Fans often attend shows dressed up as the characters, while an onstage "shadowcast" will act out the movie in front of the screen. At the defunct Key Theater in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., the theatre manager would ride his motorcycle down the aisle during Meat Loaf's/Eddie's song, "Hot Patootie." Audience members also use newspapers to cover their heads and squirt guns for rain during the "There's A Light" musical sequence, and use noise makers during the scene in which Rocky is unveiled. The whole phenomenon got a boost in 1980, with the release of the movie Fame, in which some characters attend a screening of Rocky Horror at the Waverly. At times, the management of the theatres were as much a fan as the audience; for example, one could gain free entry by wearing one's underwear on the outside.

Sexual slang

People who have never seen the show are called "virgins". Often, before the movie starts, a "virgin hunt" is conducted, where the virgins are brought down to the front of the theatre and "have their cherries popped" or participate in ceremonial "virgin games". These often include faking orgasms, eating cherries, having a lipstick "v" put on their foreheads, dry humping, and spanking with a paddle.
Those who attend the show frequently are referred to as "sluts".
The process of seeing the film for the first time is occasionally referred to as devirginization.

Presentation

What were ad lib responses from the audience are now, in a few locales, as tightly scripted as any screenplay. Audience members who provide "incorrect" or poorly timed responses may find themselves angrily shouted down just as if they were being disruptive in a normal movie. However, creative new lines are usually applauded and even added to the local repertoire.

For example, one popular yell refers to the discrepancy between how the car got a flat tire and how Brad continually states that the car broke down. Every time Brad says "Our car broke down" it is a popular jeer to loudly correct him. Also, a popular yell is to scream "asshole" whenever a character says "Brad," and to shout "slut" whenever a character says "Janet."

There have been audience participation albums recorded and scripts published. However, most fans feel that it is preferable for responses to grow organically from the local culture. For example, the audience members in Salt Lake City have utilized frequent references to the Mormon church and Brigham Young University. In most locales, new responses are regularly added to the canon (for example the introduction of references to South Park character Timmy at times when the paraplegic Dr. Scott is in a scene). Additionally, in some areas, the AP lines take note of current events (for example, the use of the name of a recent famous deceased in the line "Ladies and gentlemen: NAME", when Riff-Raff opens the coffin at the beginning of the Time Warp).

Some arthouse cinemas will have a tradition of regularly playing the film on a particular date, especially Halloween. While the film — and associated live cast performances — are less popular than in its heyday, regular weekend showings can still be found in select American and Canadian cities.

In theatres where the film plays on a regular or semi-regular basis, groups of fans have formed casts. These casts act out the movie on a stage or on the floor in front of the movie scene. While some casts are very laid back, others have become very strict. Many casts require auditions to join in which a prospective member must show that he or she can perform the movie from memory without looking at the screen. Among Rocky Horror casts there is a perpetual quest for "screen-accuracy", meaning that everything from costumes to props to the motions that actors make on stage match the movie exactly.

Sequels

Shock Treatment, a follow-up to RHPS, was made, but despite its appeal to cult audiences and its campy nature, it has not caught on as well as the original. It features O'Brien, Quinn, Campbell and Gray in different roles and the characters Brad and Janet, played by different actors. Two further films, Rocky Horror Shows His Heels and Revenge of the Old Queen, were written by O'Brien but never filmed.

Trivia

The Rocky Horror Picture Show has taken in over $135 million in box office receipts since its release, which makes it the highest grossing movie to have never played in more than 200 theatres at the same time. The length of its run in theatres (weekly for over 25 years) combined with its considerable total box office gross, is unparalleled by any other film. ^*
The original budget for the movie was a tight $1 million. While filming, the crew went over budget, adding to the initial financial failure of the film.
Many, or even all, of the actors earned very little from the movie - at the time and after it became so popular.
The surround mixes themselves did not appear on early prints of the movie. In 1990, for the 15th anniversary of the film, and in conjunction with the film's first U.S. home video release, the audio for the film was remixed from mono into Chace Surround Stereo. The song dubs were replaced by the stereo version of songs from the soundtrack record. Rocky's voice part is sung by a completely different actor. For the 25th anniversary edition, both the original mono track, and a new 5.1 surround mix (also done by Chace Productions) from the original dialogue/music/effects stems was created, which was far more accurate than the earlier stereo dub.
On the 25th Anniversary DVD, scroll down to Special Features (don't select it) and push left. This should highlight a pair of lips, which, when selected, will simulate the director's intended vision; the first 20 minutes are black and white, turning to colour when Riff Raff swings open the door, revealing Transylvanians (a la The Wizard of Oz). Richard O'Brien originally intended for the film to be in black and white until Frank's appearance in the lift, the only colour in that particular shot being his red lipstick.
The entire laboratory set was constructed with access only via an elevator (lift) before the team realised that Doctor Scott would need to reach it extremely quickly in a wheelchair. This is the sole reason for his appearance through a wall.
In the stage play, Dr. Scott does not have a German accent. The parallel to Stanley Kubrick's character of Doctor Strangelove is easily recognizable, up to and including the attempted Nazi salute. In many theatres, Curry's line referring to his fellow scientist as "Dr. Von Scott" is often followed with people doing the Nazi salute and shouting "sieg heil."
Sarandon had pneumonia during the filming.
An adventure game called Rocky Horror Interactive Picture Show was released to much hype but very little success. It was criticised for having a clumsy interface and outdated (2D) graphics.
The cast has had very varied responses to the film's cult following. Sarandon, for instance, speaks of the film and its fans with affection, while Hinwood (who played Rocky) is reportedly mortified by his association with the film. Meat Loaf is somewhat ambivalent about it (saying that he regrets showing the crack of his behind in his one scene) while Curry has claimed that he got so tired of the film's fans throwing themselves at him that he deliberately gained weight and became "chubby and plain".
Barry Bostwick later gained fame playing the mayor of New York City on the hit ABC series Spin City. On some episodes, the mayor can be seen wearing a button that says "I survived Rocky Horror".
There are at least three adult videos with names parodying the movie: The Rock Horror Porno Show, the Rocky Porno Video Show, and the Rock Erotic Video Show, whose box has characters costumed in a fashion which might suggest that it follows the plot of the movie somewhat, though this is not the case.
Curry was the guest host of Saturday Night Live with Meat Loaf as the musical guest in 1981. This show included a sketch with the two together called "Tim And Meat's One Stop Rocky Horror Shop". Eddie Murphy also alluded heavily to Rocky Horror in the show's opening monologue with Curry.
A recent episode of the CBS series Cold Case involved a murder related to a screening of the movie. Bostwick played a serial killer who is investigated in the crime.
In an episode of The Drew Carey Show, Drew, Kate, Lewis and Oswald dress up for a midnight showing of Rocky Horror, only to find that the theatre no longer shows the movie. In its place, the theatre now plays Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, attended by a costumed Mimi and Mr. Wick. A dance off between opposing fans to the tunes of "Time Warp" and "Shake Your Groove Thing" ensues.
As part of the 15th Anniversary celebration, Caliber Press published a comic book adaptation of RHPS written and drawn by Kevin VanHook in 1990.
An episode of the animated series The Venture Bros. depicted the Venture family and their bodyguard Brock Samson returning from a "Rocky Horror" screening in full costume.
The Oriental Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has the longest running engagement in history, having shown the movie since 1977.
The Clinton Street Theater in Portland, Oregon, has the second longest running engagement and the longest continually-running showing, having shown it every Saturday night/Sunday morning at midnight since 1978.
The Naro Cinema in Norfolk, Virginia has the third-longest running engagement in the United States and the fourth-longest in the world, having shown the movie continually since spring 1978. The theater currently shows it the second and fourth Friday of every month, in addition to Halloween.
The punk band Tsunami Bomb has a song called "Planet Schmanet Janet" which is essentially a cover of the same song from the movie, one of the songs that did not appear on the movie's official soundtrack release thanks to the use of the word "fuck." Tsunami Bomb's version appears on the Rocky Horror punk cover album "The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show."
In 1980, the late night comedy show Fridays had a skit called "The Ronny Horror Picture Show," spoofing the election of President Ronald Reagan. The parts were cast to show members of the administration and songs were rewritten using the same melodies, but parody lyrics, describing the Republican "takeover" of the country.
In an episode of the Disney show "Pepper Ann", her grandmother was dressed as a Floor Show person, and was going to attend the "Fuzzy Terror Picture Show"
In an episode of The Simpsons, Dr. Hibbert arrives at a film festival dressed as Frank, mistakenly thinking Rocky Horror was playing.

Reference

External links

Gourt Home::Gourt :: The Rocky Horror Picture Show