"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" has been known as a cult classic for the last 41 years and is still going strong. Although, there are a select few among you, who may not have yet 'had the experience.' So, whether you are a long time fan, or are still undecided, we would like to take you on a very strange journey.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" film is a musical comedy horror, that was originally based on a musical called "The Rocky Horror Show" written by Richard O'Brien from 1973. Later it was developed into a screenplay by both Richard O'Brien and Jim Sharman, and in 1975 was released as a film. The film was based off of O'Brien's love for science fiction and horror. On its initial release, it was not well liked by critics, but little did they know, it would become a cult classic to be loved by many generations to come.
The film stars Tim Curry (his film debut), Susan Sarandon, and even Richard O'Brien himself (Riff Raff). It became a 'midnight movie' in 1976 at the 'Waverly Theater' in New York City, and this is where the birth of 'audience participation' began. The audience would yell back at the characters during the film, come dressed up as the characters, bring props, they even had a cast that would lip sync and act out scenes in front of the screen while the movie played. This fan base and the film's obscure sexual style is the reason "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is the longest-running theatrical release in film history.
The film was recently remade by 'Fox Network' as a television musical called "The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do The Time Warp Again" and aired on October 21, 2016. It stars Laverne Cox (from "Orange is The New Black"), Tim Curry, (from the original film) and Reeve Carney (from "Penny Dreadful"), among others. Fox was hoping to appeal to a younger audience, and while we think the remake does not have the same quirky charm of the original film, you can watch the new version on Fox's website.
If you have not yet seen the film, or would love it, and would like to watch it again, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' Official fan site is a great place to start. Here you can find local showtimes, learn how to do 'the time warp', get a 'virgin's guide' (for first timers), and even get a prop list for detailed audience participation. Typically the film is shown at local theater's around October, so now is the perfect time to get involved, so 'Let's do the time warp again!'
