The Rocky Horror Picture Show (300th post)

Happy 300th Post

 My how time flies when you're having fun!

To celebrate, let's keep with the tradition of reviewing a "classic" musical... (100 & 200).  Originally I wanted to review Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera, BUT with Halloween approaching, and the upcoming Glee tribute, I decided to change tunes...

"Do you think I made a mistake splitting his brain between the two of them?"

After a friend's wedding, straight-laced Brad Majors (Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Sarandon) get engaged.  They decide to immediately to visit their old teacher, Dr. Scott (Adams), who taught they class where they met.  Along the way they get a flat tire and walk in the rain to a nearby castle.

But the inhabitants of the castle are not what they expect.  The owner, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Curry), is a transvestite mad scientist.  They have arrived in time to witness the unveiling of his latest creation: a muscle man he deems Rocky (Hinwood).  The castle staff, Riff Raff (O'Brien) and Magenta (Quinn), are eccentric and don't fulfill traditional staff roles.  Also in the castle is Frank's tap dancing groupie Columbia (Campbell)... and frozen bad boy she loves, Eddie (Meat Loaf).  No one wants to help the stranded motorists... will Janet & Brad leave the castle with their morals intact?


A controversial musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (adapted from the stage show The Rocky Horror Show) is a film that inspires strong emotion: you either love it or hate it.

Check any message boards on film sites (imdb, Netflix, etc) and you will find people passionately arguing the merits and downfalls of the film; it is a slippery slope.  It's revolutionary subject matter and ability to speak to the outcasts (or people who feel like outcasts) stirs up strong emotions in many.  With the numerous well-known stage versions and the interactive midnight showings, this film has a cult following and is considered a cult classic by many.

I would fall more into the love category... to clarify I like the film, I love the stage shows.  The songs sound better and the cast seems to be having more fun on stage.  I have several Rocky Horror songs on my iPod, but none are from the film soundtrack.  The best choice is the The Rocky Horror Show Roxy Cast.  It seems like the kind of show that is better when you can interact... sing along with the rest of the audience, dance in the aisles, etc.

The film is great in that it immortalizes the iconic performances of the stellar cast.  Tim Curry became a star when he appeared on this show, and this film was his breakout film role.  Richard O'Brien (who also wrote the film), Patricia Quinn, and Little Nell originated their roles in the Original London production... and Meat Loaf stole the Roxy and the Original Broadway show as Eddie.  Jonathan Adams was the Narrator in the Original London production.  And director Jim Sharman directed the Roxy production.  The only newbies were cast because they were big names: Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and Charles Gray.

A fun film, but not as much fun as seeing the show live!

Be sure to check out the upcoming Rocky Horror tribute episode of Fox's Glee (10/26/10).  The soundtrack goes on sale 10/19/10.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) 100 minutes

Director: Jim Sharman

Starring: Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter

Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss

Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors

Richard O'Brien as Riff Raff

Patricia Quinn as Magenta

"Little Nell" Campbell as Columbia

Jonathan Adams as Dr. Everett Scott

Peter Hinwood as Rocky Horror

Meat Loaf as Eddie

Charles Gray as The Criminologist