The Rocky Horror Picture Show celebrates 50 year anniversary of original theatrical release in movie theaters.
By: Kevin Vickery
It’s that time of year again as Fall brings us the feeling of cooler temperatures, the smell of soybean dust, the taste of pumpkin spiced everything imaginable, the site of gaudy Halloween yard displays and the annual return of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for midnight showings in movie theaters. What’s that you say? You were right there with me until that last one? In that case, let me break it down for you.
Originally, “The Rocky Horror Show” was written as a musical stage production by Richard O’Brien and produced/directed by Jim Sharman which premiered in London in 1973. The production debuted in Los Angeles in 1974 and later on Broadway in 1975 where it earned a Toni nomination and three Drama Desk nominations.
O’Brien starred in the show as the butler, Riff Raff alongside then new comer, Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter. In 1975 O’Brien and Sharman’s screenplay was released in theaters as, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” which is based on the 1973 musical stage production and is a tribute to the science fiction and horror B-movies of the 1930s through the early 1960s. The film stars Tim Curry in his debut, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick and is narrated by Criminologist, Charles Gray, with cast members from the original Royal Court Theatre, Roxy Theatre, and Belasco Theatre productions, including Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn.
The story centres on a young, newly engaged couple named Brad Majors and Janet Weiss whose car breaks down in the rain near a castle while traveling to visit their former teacher. Dr. Scott (Jonathan Adams). There, the couple portrayed by Bostwick and Sarandon decide to search for help only to find the castle is occupied by strangers in elaborate costumes holding a party. They then meet the head of the house, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, (Curry) an apparently mad scientist and alien transvestite from the planet Transsexual located in the galaxy of Transylvania, who creates a living muscle man named Rocky (Peter Hinwood), a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect, living muscle man.
Still with me? I would love to tell you that’s as weird as it gets but I’d be lying. From there more debauchery ensues as after Rocky is brought to life, Dr. Scott’s lost nephew, Eddie played by rock and roll’s Meatloaf, breaks out of a deep freezer, is killed by Frank-N-Furter with an ice axe and is later served as the main course in an uncomfortable dinner scene. Also Brad and Janet are shown to separate bedrooms, where Frank visits and seduces each one disguised as the other.
There are other plot twists like the “Medusa Transducer” and the actions of characters like the maid, Magenta (Patricia Quinn) and groupie, Columbia (Nell Campbell) that I won’t spoil and let you discover yourselves. Of course, being a musical, all this silly scariness is set to the classic songs featured in both the film and the original stage production like, “Dammit Janet”, “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me” and crowd favorites like, “Sweet Transvestite” and “The Time Warp”.
In all reality, it’s not a good movie in the truest sense of the word. It’s not a real horror movie by any means despite that word being used in the title. If you’re a true fan of scary, blood and guts, or actual horror movies don’t be fooled. This movie is not for you. However if you like silly, campy, and a bit raunchy musicals that are over the top to the, “so bad it’s good” degree then you’ve most likely already seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show a dozen times.
Still in limited release in 2025, 50 years after its premiere, it is the longest-running theatrical release in film history and this cult classic is the most popular midnight movie of all time. The reason for this continued success is because seeing the movie in a live theater setting has transformed into a submersive experience where patrons are heavily involved in various comedic rituals as the movie is shown.
Movie goes are encouraged to come dressed as the film’s unusual characters, yell various call and response lines to the screen, use different props to reenact certain scenes, and of course sing and dance specific steps to the songs featured throughout the film.
In many cities, live amateur “shadow-casts”lip-synch the dialogue and act out the film as it is being shown and heavily draw upon this tradition of audience participation. It is most often shown close to Halloween and has been considered by many as one of the greatest musical films of all time. Believe it or not, in 2005, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and over the years, the film has gained notoriety as the most successful midnight movie ever.
I was first introduced to The Rocky Horror Picture Show by my cousin, Amber Layton 34 years ago while attending Ball State University when she invited me to a midnight showing at Muncie Mall’s movie theater (yes, there were movie theaters in malls back then). At that time the film was only 16 years old and even though it had already achieved “cult-classic” status, we knew basically nothing about it or what to expect. We were blown away at the crowd participation as well as all the costumes and props despite having none of our own. Somehow we managed to escape the experience without being subjected to the “virgin sacrifice” which can vary in terms of specifics from one location to another, but generally features some embarrassing and mildly dirty questions asked and duties to perform in front of the crowd by those who’ve never seen the film. Since the theater ran the movie every Friday and Saturday throughout the month of October, we went back several times with more friends and were better prepared to get involved in the shenanigans.
I love my cousin Amber and have always thought of her as my sister. We grew up basically next door to each other and still remain close to this day. We’re bonded for life and being “Rocky Horror buddies” is a part of our connection. Maybe that’s because we were the only ones in our family or friend groups who were weird enough to appreciate the experience.
She even bought me the movie on DVD one year for Christmas which I appreciated but honestly wouldn’t recommend watching it at home because without being submerged in the theater full of weirdos making it into a party, your just sitting through a semi-entertaining movie on your couch.
After taking about a 20 year hiatus from seeing the movie together, in 2013 she and I went to the Guyer Opera House in Lewisville to see them run the film with their own shadow cast, which was very entertaining and a fun walk down memory lane. We also went back to the Guyer in 2017 to see their version of the actual stage play which was also excellent. I’ve seen many plays at the the Guyer Opera House over the years and they’ve all been great but their production of “The Rocky Horror Show” was one of my favorites. The theater is a real gem and Henry County treasure and I’ve had the pleasure of performing their a couple times myself. If you’ve never been there to see a play, do yourself a favor and go check it out.
I was recently able to ask Amber some questions and get her thoughts on being a fan of, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” over the years. On the first time we saw it together at the Muncie Mall she said, “We had no idea it was a “thing”. – People from the audience were dressed up as characters from the movie. – They jumped up on-stage and performed along to the movie! – At various times during the show, props were used… or thrown around. – You didn’t know what to expect next! – The movie was the epitome of campy mayhem! – You didn’t go to simply watch the movie.. you participated!”
She added, “Immediately after the show we made plans to see it again with the required props. – It was safe fun that made you feel a little lawless. – You we’re throwing toast in an actual movie theater and it was OK… even encouraged”… It was exhilarating! – I’ve seen it a half dozen times and it was also fun to see different performances from the audience. – It always seemed like it was going to be a different show, even though it was the same movie.”
I asked her what she liked so much about the experience as she continued to see it and she said, “It’s inclusive and all are always welcome”. – At the time, it felt like a secret underground thing and to experience that felt a bit naughty.” She continued, “The music and dancing is great. – I mean Meatloaf? Come on! – The movie itself is B-Movie greatness. – That’s its charm! – you wonder if this movie would still be made today.”
On our trips to see the film with shadow cast and the actual stage production at the Guyer Opera House she said, “I loved it! – It was really like seeing the members of the audience get up there and perform. – No one can be Tim Curry and I can’t imagine anyone else in that role but any way you can see TRHPC would be well worth it!”
I asked Amber if she intended to make it back out to a movie theater to watch it again this year in celebration of the 50 year anniversary and she told me, “I think I wouldn’t mind streaming it from Amazon Prime for $2.99 (which you can do) instead of seeing it in a theater. Adding, “As a girl in her 50s I’m prizing my home, my snacks, and my bathroom and trying to remember what to say and what to do while watching the movie. – I’ll leave it to this up and coming generation to find their own Rocky Horror!”
She also mentioned something’s like the current commercialization of the film and how you have to buy pre-made prop bags at the event instead of bringing your own. She also fears that liability issues will restrict the dancing, singing and crowd participation.
Like her, I dislike restrictions and over commercialization as much as the next aging Gen Xer and I definitely prefer home viewing of movies for her same reasons of comfort but writing this column does drag me off the couch and force me out of the house for occasions like this. From what I’ve read all the singing dancing and acting is still permitted and the pre-made prop bags may seem a bit generic but at least I don’t have to try and remember what to bring and there’s zero chance I’ll remember the call back lines without the help of the crowd.
Schedule conflicts have or will cause me to miss several cool, “one night only” runnings in the surrounding area including one at The Murat Theatre in Indianapolis earlier in the month that featured an autograph session with Patrica Quinn who played Magenta and a Halloween night showing at the Paramount in downtown Anderson.
With all that in mind. I’ll be heading to the Irving Theater in Indianapolis for a midnight showing on Saturday, October 25th. The show will feature the Transylvanian Lip Treatment (TLT) who has carried on the live shadowcast tradition for over ten years and is one of the most active casts in the midwest. Their show is billed as “an experience of uncensored fun and debauchery that pulls the audience in to be a part of the show.” There will also be another showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at Irving Theater featuring TLT on November 15th.
I’ve never been to the Irvington and look forward to taking it in for the first time. It’s been a part of the Indianapolis landscape since 1913 and continues to host a variety of events including live music, poetry open mic nights, ghost tours, and special movie screenings.
What I’m not looking forward to is an hour drive each way to a show that doesn’t start until midnight, especially on a Saturday night when I need to be at church to play in the praise band early the next morning. I should have my head examined for making this decision. Now there’s that old man, Gen X complaining spirit, right?
Either way wish me luck and God please forgive me if I doze off behind the drum set. Amen.
For more information about Rocky Horror Picture Show including history and conventions visit the fan website at: rockyhorror.com
To learn more about the history of Irving Theater and see a schedule of upcoming events find them on social media or visit their official website at: attheirving.com
To keep up with the schedule of Transylvanian Lip Treatment follow them on social media or go to their official website at: transylvanianliptreatment.com
Information about the Guyer Opera House can be found on their social media pages or their official website at: guyeroperahouse.com
Make Some Noise 