Over the years, there have been many different types of musicals, some which combine the genres of comedy, romance and fantasy, but here's one which dives into sci-fi and horror. It's a musical which has created a cult following like no-other, probabily bigger than say The Sound of Music (1965) and Grease (1978). It's really a musical in a league of it's own, from humble beginnings as a small stage musical made for �1,000, performed at the Royal Court Theatre, to a modestly-made film which ended up grossing over $250 million worldwide, but it could have been forgotten forever, rather like the B-Movie horrors and sci-fis that it was paying homage to. Yes folks!! It's time to camp it up, put on the high-heels and corsets, and lets do the time warp again for The Rocky Horror Picture Show!!
Set in Denton, Ohio. The film follows young lovers Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon), who end up breaking down and getting lost on the way to the house of Dr. Everett V. Scott, (
"ex-tutor, and now friend to both of them."). They find themselves at the house of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a Sweet Transvestite. (
"From Transexual, Transylvania!!") He invites Brad and Janet to witness his newest creation, a young man, (
"with blonde hair and a tan,") named Rocky Horror. What follows is an adventure of love, hate and sex, oh and songs too!!
I honestly think that this is the greatest musical ever made, it's such a camp and cheesy film, but it's proud of it, it's tone suits it. It's songs are instantly catchy, highlights include the opening, Science-Fiction, Double Feature, Sweet Transvestite, the climactic Floor Show (Rose Tint My World; Don't Dream It, Be It; Wild and Untamed Thing), and then there's Time Warp. Even if you haven't seen the film, it's a song which you should know.
"It's just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right!!
Put your hands on your hips, and bring your knees in tight!!
Well, it's the pelvic thrust, that drives you insane!!
Let's do the Time Warp again!! Let's do the Time Warp again!!" It's creator Richard O'Brien, (who also plays manservant Riff-Raff), wrote the songs and original play, whilst as an out-of-work, jobbing actor. It started off as a small play, before soon transfering to bigger theatres, then eventually to LA, where Hollywood came calling. 20th Century Fox footed the bill, but nearly pulled it when they found out what it was about, as a result, they were reluctant to promote it when it came out, and it flopped horrendously. However, in 1977, Fox gave approval for it to be shown on the Midnight Movie Circuit in America, where a cult was born, with fans turning up, and participating with the film. In fact, some cinemas have been still showing it every week since the late 1970's.
It's a film which still has endearing cult appeal now, it's still as camp as hell, and it always will be. It was made at a time when being camp was cool, and from watching this, it still should be!! Richard O'Brien and director Jim Sharman, tried their hand at a quasai-sequel, Shock Treatment (1981), but after budget cuts and many main players refusing to return, so they had to settle for Barry Humphries, Ruby Wax and Rik Mayall, the film was quickly forgotten. But, there's always the original, which 30 years or so later, is still a musical dream come true!!
Anyone a fan of the greatest musical ever, if you haven't seen it, do so now, you have no idea what you're missing out on!! It's a film which could change your life forever, hell, it made me into a bisexual!!
(Films
can have that effect on people.) It's probabily the only musical which combines the subjects of transvestism, homosexuality, cannibalism and voyeurism. In other words,
"It's Astounding!!"
