The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

A newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.

Director:

Jim Sharman

Writers:

Richard O'Brien (original musical play), Jim Sharman (screenplay)

Stars:

Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Curry	...	Dr. Frank-N-Furter - A Scientist
Susan Sarandon	...	Janet Weiss - A Heroine
Barry Bostwick	...	Brad Majors - A Hero
Richard O'Brien	...	Riff Raff - A Handyman
Patricia Quinn	...	Magenta - A Domestic
Nell Campbell	...	Columbia - A Groupie (as Little Nell)
Jonathan Adams	...	Dr. Everett V. Scott - A Rival Scientist
Peter Hinwood	...	Rocky Horror - A Creation
Meat Loaf	...	Eddie - Ex Delivery Boy (as Meatloaf)
Charles Gray	...	The Criminologist - An Expert
Jeremy Newson	...	Ralph Hapschatt
Hilary Farr	...	Betty Munroe (as Hilary Labow)
Perry Bedden	...	A Transylvanian
Christopher Biggins	...	A Transylvanian
Gaye Brown	...	A Transylvanian

Storyline

On a wild and rain-swept late-November evening, somewhere at an empty stretch of road outside Ohio's merry Denton, blissfully-affianced, prudish, boringly-innocent young pair Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) find themselves stranded on their way to visit an ex-tutor. Instead, the couple will inadvertently unearth the cross-dressing Dr. Frank-N-Furter's (Tim Curry's) spooky lair of inexhaustible oddities, just in time to partake in the out-of-this-world mad scientist's proud unveiling of his latest, delightfully extravagant, most daring creation: the ultimate male and the perfect sex symbol: the flaxen-haired Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood). But, little by little, as the effervescent transgressive force gobbles up whole the unsuspecting visitors of the night, Brad and Janet slowly begin to embrace the potent fascinations of seduction, while an idolized Rocky roams free in the mansion. Who can interrupt man's union with the absolute pleasure?

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Plot Keywords:

audience participation | dance | castle | transylvania | transvestite | 

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Taglines:

A Musical Dream Come True (UK quad poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

With the death of Anne Francis on January 2, 2011, Janette Scott is the last surviving actress mentioned in "Science Fiction/Double Feature".

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Goofs

When Riff Raff is talking to Brad and Janet at the front door, he is tapping the door with his forefinger in frontal shots, but not when the camera is behind him.

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Quotes

Janet Weiss - A Heroine: You're a hotdog!

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Crazy Credits

After all the end credits, the theme music stays playing for 40 seconds while screen is black

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Alternate Versions

UK theatrical version includes: Opening credit- A MICHAEL WHITE-LOU ADLER PRODUCTION; complete "Superheroes" song; short end credits without cast pictures and "Science Fiction-Double Feature: Reprise" followed by an instrumental of "Time Warp" (which was traditionally played during cast bows in the play.) Prior to 1990, this was the version available on home video outside of the US.

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Connections

Referenced in Suicide Club (2001)

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Soundtracks

Science Fiction/Double Feature
(uncredited)
Written by Richard O'Brien
Performed by Richard O'Brien

User Reviews

Yes, it really is the greatest cult-film of all-time.

It's fairly easy to see why "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" became such a huge cult-favorite so quickly... So huge even that the fans went to screenings all dressed up like drag-queens, singing along with the songs and waving around cigarette lighters. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" simply is a tremendously inspiring movie and it's almost impossible not to start swinging yourself when the legendary songs such as "The Time Warp" and "Touch Me" are being sung by the vivid cast. The screenplay is adapted from Richard O'Brien (who also co-stars) play and it still comes across as very wit and all-knowing in its humor. There's spoofing and referring to everything from Universal and RKO-Pictures horror movies over typically 50's science-fiction to Hammer horror and the filming locations & set pieces are leftovers from other classic genre titles. The story is ridiculously simple and merely just introduces a young couple whose car breaks down near a ominous dark castle. When they go there for help, they're sucked into the eccentric world of transvestite Dr. Frank 'N Furter and his bizarre collection of servants and friends. The frenzied doctor created himself a muscled and blond-haired toy-boy and he's in the middle of presenting his creation when Brad and Janet (a great early role for Susan Sarandon) stumble in. The lines and song lyrics are often hilarious and far from politically correct and the lingerie costumes are quite nifty. All the acting performances are terrific but immensely divergent, since Tim Curry's Frank 'N Furter is extremely grotesque whereas Charles Gray's narrating character is straight-faced.

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [United States] Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 August 1975 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Filming Locations:

Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$112,892,319

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$113,137,764

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Michael White Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 98 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Chace Surround (Remix for video release) Mono (35 mm optical prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1