Today, August 14, 2015, marks the 40th anniversary of one of my very favorite movies, the 1975 classic ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. You would have to be from outer space to have never have heard of the ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. It’s fantastic for so many reasons, it’s unforgettable characters, great lines, fun musical numbers. It truly is one of a kind. The movie also happens to be the longest running film in cinema history.
In ‘the Rocky Horror Picture Show’ love birds Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandaon) are on their way to see the professor, Dr. Everett V. Scott, played by Jonathan Addams, to tell him of their engagement. Along the way the car gets a flat, “how about that”. The two walk to a mansion they saw a ways back, but they’re in for a wild night. The door is answered by the butler/handyman Riff Raff (Richard O’Brien). The enter the home to find that the master of the house, Dr. Frank-N-Furter(Tim Curry) is having a party. Riff Raff joins the other servants of the house, Magenta (Patricia Quinn) and Columbia (Nell Campbell). Dr. Frank-N-Furter is about to unveil his creation, Rocky (Peter Hinwood), “he’s a man with blonde hair and a tan”. The night is about to take an unforgetable turn for Brad and Janet, towards the strange and erotic. A night filled with transvestites, murders, and fantastic moments that leave you wanting more. Let’s not forget the cameos by Meatloaf as Eddie a biker-rocker who’s in love with Columbia and Charles Gray as “the expert” criminalist.
To many Dr. Frank-N-Furter is one of, if not the, most memorable roles actor Tim Curry has ever played. His corseted, high heeled, make up wearing character is “just a sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania” and happens to be the center of this wonderful and campy film.
The geniuses behind ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ are Richard O’Brien (Riff Raff) and Jim Sharman, who also directed.
O’Brien as Riff Raff
It’s been 40 years and you can still find theaters showing ‘Rock Horror Picture Show’ with a crowd filled with fans dressed as their favorite character. I’ll be honest, I’ve been to a theater dressed as Magenta. Not many films can boast that they have such a dedicated following after 40 years.
Tim Curry talks about ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ in a 1975 interview
Universal Horror Nights honored the movie with a ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ tribute night in 2013.
