Edited by: Alexis Moutafis-Tymcio
Blood red lips emerge from the void. The lips sing.
A packed theater watches intently as the film unfolds. Familiar music notes dance through the air and bodies move gracefully to the rhythm as the show begins. People from all walks of life are here, dressed in fishnets, corsets, and glitter, ready to shout their favourite lines at the screen.
This is not an ordinary crowd, and certainly not an ordinary film—this is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a cult classic that has not only stood the test of time but been shaped by the years into something beautiful.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, an engaged couple whose car breaks down during a storm. Seeking help, they stumble upon the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a flashy scientist who is creating a muscular man named Rocky. Played by Tim Curry, Frank-N-Furter dominates the screen, defying the ordinary and drawing Brad and Janet into his campy, colorful world. Featuring catchy songs, outrageous costumes, and exaggerated horror, the film is a celebration of the strange and unconventional, and a perfect watch as Halloween creeps near!
It was originally created by Richard O’Brien, premiering as a stage musical in London in 1973 before being adapted into a film in 1975. Directed by Jim Sharman, the movie was made on a modest budget of approximately $1.4 million, with a goal to parody low budget B-movies while challenging traditional ideas about sexuality and identity.
However, its initial reception was disappointing, and the film struggled to attract audiences during its original release. It was experimental, unique, ahead of its time in every way, and for a moment it was an absolute failure. Something had to change, or Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his mansion of oddities would fade into the void, never to be seen again.
It turns out that, just like Frankenstein’s monster, Rocky Horror needed to be electrified back to life! In April 1976, 20th Century Fox executive Tim Deegan shifted the movie to a midnight slot at the Waverly Theater in New York City, targeting a niche late-night crowd.
A core group of about 50 people came back every weekend to watch Rocky Horror. They developed iconic traditions such as dressing up as the film’s characters, shouting funny and often vulgar call-and-response lines at the screen, using interactive props like toast, rice and glowsticks during key scenes, performing the “Time Warp” dance, and many more! Due to its popularity in the city, the film was spread across the country along with its traditions.
Over the years, showings have become both chaotic and intricate, never failing to include the audience in the fun.
For many LGBTQ+ viewers, Rocky Horror offers a rare space to explore gender expression, sexuality, and identity without shame. In the documentary Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, drag queen Trixie Mattel reflects: “I had never tasted, seen, smelled anything like this… It was a popup book of sex and drugs and the power of that.” After joining a group of shadow cast performers in college, Mattel was able to discover her passion for performance. She continues, “So much of what I have came from my experience of finding this film.” Although its representation reflects the era in which it was created, its celebration of difference has remained incredibly meaningful.Â
Sadly, Tim Curry, the actor who brought Frank-N-Furter to life, passed away this September at the age of 80. He will be remembered fondly for his unforgettable performances, distinctive voice, magnetic stage presence, and the lasting impact he made on our culture.
Today, The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains an iconic cultural phenomenon, continuing to attract devoted fans, curious newcomers, and generations of performers. This Halloween, throw on your best glam attire and let the magic of Rocky Horror pull you in, if you dare!