The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Release Date: September 25, 1975

Watch Date: September 30, 2024

“Fasten your garter belt and time warp again with The Rocky Horror Picture Show! When this cinematic sensation first sashayed onto the screen, moviegoers were treated to a gender-bending horror story/musical romantic comedy, and it remains one of cinema’s most enduring cult classics. Based on the musical by Richard O’Brien (who always plays Riff Raff and who co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Sharman, who directed), the film follows a newly engaged young couple, Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), through the most unforgettable night of their lives. After their car gets a flat tire during a torrential rainstorm, Brad and Janet walk to a creepy castle, hoping to phone for help. But things take a turn for the outrageous when they meet the master of the castle – transvestite inventor Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry, recreating his stage role). Not only is the “doctor” hosting an entourage of aliens, he has brought a spectacularly muscular man (Peter Hinwood) to life. As Brad and Janet engage in some unexpected debauchery of their own in Frank’s castle, they also witness shocking crimes! Also starring Meatloaf, Patricia Quinn, Little Nell, Jonathan Adams and Charles Gray, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a hilarious, campy romp filled with song-and-dance numbers – and enough horror to thrill you, chill you and fulfill you from start to finish.”

   I grew up on this movie, which is a weird statement, I know. But I loved musicals and my brother loves film and acting, and horror, and this was a pretty good combo of the two. I never really “loved it” the way some people do make so much of their personality about this cult classic, and I definitely don’t want to make it a yearly watch like my brother did. But the songs are good. The songs are actually pretty damn fantastic. Well a majority of them anyways. And so I do love that.

   But let’s take it from the beginning. The last few months of summer, we were watching movies what felt like almost non stop? So what happened?

   To put it very succinctly: Life. Bob had to go away for work in the middle of the month, and he’s going to be gone for quite a bit – unfortunately. Plus with our kids in school, and extracurriculars picking up, Bob still attending his own schooling and myself having reentered college for a semester of further education – life became a big roadblock. Bob is currently living on the other side of the continent, making it a three hour time difference, and the priority for both of us was establishing a way for our kids to feel safe and comfortable with this change, at least until this temporary distance can be somewhat corrected to Bob at least coming home on weekends. Work sucks, and being married when you possess two different citizenships can suck to.

   So, because it was the end of September, and because technically by the time we were going to finish a movie it was going to be October for Bob, Spooky Season started early. And unlike last year, where we got to pick and choose, we’re not so lucky this year. We’re going in date order, just like we do with every other month. Which means a lot of true horror for me. When I’m home alone. Great. But it also meant starting off the season with a campy musical from the 70s from Bob, so in his opinion we both lose.

   Look, did this movie age well as far as sexual liberation goes? No. There’s dubious consent, and it’s never okay to cheat – even if it’s played off as discovering and unlocking your sexuality. I don’t know how accurate or appropriate the term transvestite is, and I don’t know if portraying someone who has homosexual leanings as sex crazy is quite appropriate in todays atmosphere. But this movie often feels like it came out of a drug induced 70s fever dream, and so you can give it somewhat of a pass.

   Unless your Bob, who hated it so much, he wrote about it and demanded I attach it to my own write up. Which is quite rude, but at least he had strong feelings about it, I suppose?

   The best part of this film is Tim Curry, but that’s not really fair to say because Tim Curry is the best part of any film that he’s in. Bob wishes he could have seen him play Frank-N-Furter in a film that offended him less, but I don’t think Frank-N-Furter can live out of this context. I was just offended Bob didn’t know who Meatloaf was.

   What this showed me was that if you’re introduced to this film too late in life, or not through the proper means – like a live showing with audience participation – it’s gonna lose you. But if you’re like a preteen trying to be edgy and wanting to hear some pretty good music. I mean you’re going to be hooked for life. So take that as you will.

   Now, for your perusal Bob’s thoughts. I have to go prepare for ‘The Omen’ tonight. Lucky me…

Bob’s Final Word:

   This film is a disjointed mess devoid of coherent plot, reminiscent of what I imagine a fever dream to be. The sole redeeming quality lies in Tim Curry’s performance. While I comprehend the intended message of sexual liberation, presenting it through the lens of infidelity is distasteful. The only sense of liberation I experienced was when the credits finally rolled. It seems this movie attempts to amalgamate tropes from renowned films to construct the ultimate Halloween parody. As someone who genuinely appreciates the season, I have enjoyed a vast array of works within this genre. I acknowledge that there may be an appeal for those who can tolerate such slop, but I do not share that TALENT. I would prefer to gargle the water that Rocky emerged from, than watch this film again.

   It is common to hear complaints regarding cult classics, and it is often quite easy to understand why certain films achieve this status. Consider, for instance, The Shining, Hocus Pocus, or Edward Scissorhands. When someone expresses confusion about why these films are regarded as cult classics, you may be willing to defend them—how could they not be considered cult classics? This leads to a questioning of that person’s taste. I know I have done this before. However, I now find myself on the opposite side of this debate: How is this film considered a cult classic?

   Oh, right. It got a little incesty at the end. Ick. If the intention of this film was to evoke discomfort, it succeeded with full marks.

   If the aim was to provide enjoyment, it utterly failed.

Love Frank though.