Give yourself over to absolute pleasure (The Rocky Horror Picture Show (DVD))

Member Name: john.sw

Product:	The Rocky Horror Picture Show (DVD)
Date:	14/06/01 (271 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: spoof sci-fi, monster, horror flick musical

Disadvantages: It all happened 25 years ago - when I was your age!

The first time I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a real let-down. This was in 1975, after having had my fill of The Rocky Horror Show in the King’s Road Theatre. Goodness knows, I had seen the stage show so many times and knew every nuance of every actor, from Tim Curry and Meatloaf, to Little Nell, and, of course Richard O’Brien himself.

As each actor changed (the stage show ran and ran) so did the performances. Little did I know that I was caught up in the making of a cult. We would dine at the trendy Borsch & Tears if we had time before the show, and scoff Donner Kebabs on the way home, often rubbing shoulders with the cast and crew. On the final night in the King’s Road, Richard O’Brian threw a party. Johnny Rotten wore his Suzuki Sweater inside out (ooh – the little rebel) and we all had a fine time. Stage props, including the ushers’ transparent masks, Rocky’s black knickers, suspender belt and stockings, and Dr. Everett Scott’s wheelchair all ended up at my house!

So what was the problem with the film? Well, nothing, but I guess, at the time, the stage show was so exceptionally good; filled with atmosphere and unexpected interpretation by the cast, that it made the film seem second best! Now when I watch the picture show it brings back the glow of my misspent youth, and the great times we had; Hot patootie, bless my soul! I really love that rock n' roll!

The scene is set when Brad Majors, and his fiancée, Janet Weiss (a couple of ordinary college kids) get a flat tyre on a dark, wet, lightening-filled night and go to the nearest house to use the phone.

The door of the gothic Transylvanian-style mansion is answered by Dr. Frank n Furter’s butler/handyman – a punk rocker named Riff Raff (Richard O’Brien).

On entering the house they are subjected to an internecine night of deceit, and sexual trickery that introduces them both to carna
l knowledge – not of each other, but of Dr. Frank n Furter (Tim Curry), the bisexual scientist who is making Rocky "a man, with blond hair and a tan”.

The film cleverly blends references to the American Movie Theater of the late 1930’s with sci-fi, monster, horror flicks and musicals! Performances by the maids Little Nell (Columbia) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta) stand up well against the overwhelming presence of Tim Curry. Richard O’Brien (who wrote the play, music and lyrics) brings his own personality to the film.

Susan Sarandon (later famed for her superb performance in another cult film, Thelma & Louise) plays excellently as the virgin fiancée who is a little more willing to experiment than her geeky partner Brad (Barry Bostwick). Meatloaf is Eddy – ex delivery boy who is the Geezer from the Freezer, one of Dr. Frank n Furter’s failed experiments.

There is an uncreditied appearance by Koo Stark, and even Christopher Biggins sneaks into the cast as a Transylvanian!


The Rocky Horror Picture is destined to run and run – the 25th anniversary DVD has been released, and in 25 years from now we will all be going out to buy the 50th Anniversary version with 3D and Smell-o-Vision!

Maybe not a film to watch with the family, but if you like it, you will want to watch it again and again; if you don’t like it, well… at least you won’t forget it!

“It's not easy having a good time! Even smiling makes my face ache!”

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