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

4 wins & 5 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)
Pierre Bedenes	...	A Transylvanian (as Perry Bedden)
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:

transvestite | rock 'n' roll | audience participation | midnight movie | cult film | 

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Taglines:

Action-packed... lotsa larfs & sex... gorgeous gals... thrills & chills... Transylvanian parties... romance

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

As Brad and Janet drive in the rain before reaching the castle, the radio is playing Richard Nixon's resignation speech, delivered August 8, 1974.

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Goofs

At the start of the lab seen Brad's robe is open when he is talking to Frank-N-Furter and a few seconds later it is closed.

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Quotes

Brad Majors - A Hero: I'm glad we caught you at home. Could we use your phone? We're both in a bit of a hurry. We'll just say where were are and go back to the car. We don't want to be any worry.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter - A Scientist: [singing] Well, you got caught with a flat/well, how about that? Well babies, don't you panic. By the light of the night/it'll all seem all right. I'll get you a satanic mechanic! I'm just a sweet transvestite/from Transexual, Transylvania. Why don't you stay for the night? Or maybe a bite? I could show you my favorite ...

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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

All VHS versions have a recording of "The Time Warp Part 3" instrumental that is different from the theatrical and DVD version of the song during the end credits. In the normal version the song ends with the sound of a tape slowing down. In the VHS version the song ends with a saxophone flourish. This was presumably done so that VHS consumers would not think that something was wrong with their tapes.

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Connections

References A Star Is Born (1954)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

The Mother of All Cult Films

Or I should say, the Sweet Transvestite of all cult films!

To those who haven't seen Rocky Horror, don't bother reading reviews about it. It won't mean anything. Don't rent it on DVD which it recently came out on. It also won't mean anything, because it's missing the thing that gave it and the stage play that preceded it life... the audience. By definition, a cult film is meant to be seen by a group. Preferably, a large one.

I saw Rocky Horror 20-something years ago, and wound up playing "Brad" with the players next to the stage. Something I would normally never do. Why? The show's energy sucked me in. More accurately, the audience's energy sucked me in.

The show, with a revved-up audience, is almost like a dialogue between the movie and the people watching it. It celebrates sex, hedonism, even while playing out the danger, violence, and tragedy it can result in. It allows the audience of mostly young kids to exude and rejoice in their sexuality, whatever it is. And without ever taking their clothes off. I think that is the real appeal of the show. There's a joyousness, and a strange innocence, in throwing raunchy comments at the screen, watching the live performers on-stage act out the scenes in racy costumes, and sharing the energy anonymously in the dark with strangers.

The live show with the original actors must have been electrifying. Plays always have more energy than films because of the immediacy of the live actors, and the energy must have been even more intense. I'll always regret not having the chance to have seen it.

The movie itself has been described too many times for me to give a synopsis. I will however say that it is really a collage of feelings, ranging from fear, trepidation, excitement, lust, joyous sexual fulfillment, more lust, tragedy, and a strange sadness at the end. Basically, all the emotions that make life worth living, in an hour and a half. However, the visceral enjoyment of this film, and the emotions it brings, will only be experienced with a large, highly energized audience. If you get a chance, and if you can get your reserved ego out of the way, go to a midnight showing in your area when you know there's going to be a big showing. Don't go expecting a logical, coherent storyline. Its about experience, not narrative. You'll get an experience that you've been missing your whole life. At the end, there is a message here, hidden under all the seemingly blissful hedonism. It takes a long time for it to become clear, however.

I wonder if O'Brian, its creator, was clever enough to have put it there all along?

By the way, there is no nudity or actual sex in the entire movie. For a movie with its reputation, that's pretty amazing. Compared to the slasher/gore fests passing themselves off as film these days, the movie is strangely quaint and innocent. But then, that's what true enjoyment of sensuality should be.

For a cult film, 10 out of 10 stars. It doesn't get any better than this as cult films go.

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:

England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$112,892,319

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$113,260,239

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