That's why "Rocky Horror Picture Show" remains an important film

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has touched generations of outcast creatures of the night since the revolutionary film premiered in 1975. Before the queer cult classic, Hollywood hadn’t really given us joyous celebrations of drag and LGBTQ+ storylines. Queer characters were almost always the butt of jokes, but never really got to participate in them. So when the normal couple in “Rocky Horror” comes across a spooky mansion filled with strange characters, they are the outcasts.

Although many viewers didn’t understand (and still don’t) the camp and parody elements of the film that turned critical commentary against the queer community on its head, it resonated with many people who needed it. And so the cult classic was born and its many traditions that we still enjoy today.

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Although the film was praised by critics and considered a box office flop, Rocky Horror experienced a renaissance soon after its debut. Isn’t it ironic (don’t you think so?) that the film New release for April Fools’ Day in 1976 gave the comedic parody cult classic status? Fans began dressing in the characters’ eccentric outfits – which is funny considering the flimsy costume Budget of $1,600.

Oddly enough, the movie musical actually started life as a 1973 West End play did immediately convince fans and critics. Of course, the film took some liberties by parodying B-horror films and turning the story into a bizarre musical.

Live shadowcasts and underwear runs

The red lips off

(Image credit: Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / 20th Century Fox)

What started as fan cosplay eventually evolved into the film’s popular live screenings. These events are full of audience participation as both actors and fans dramatically re-enact scenes as they unfold on screen.

Classic live show shenanigans include throwing rice during the wedding scene, squirting water guns and placing newspapers over one’s head during the rain sequence, and even holding up lighters during the lyrics “There’s a Light” (which has since moved on). turned into a telephone). Lights, as the risk of fire is not particularly high in most theaters). Some performances also feature an underwear run, where fans can take off their underwear and run around the theater during “The Sword of Damocles.”

It’s also common for virgins in Rocky Horror live shows to be branded with a “V” on their forehead (basically the opposite of a scarlet letter). Some virgins are even chosen for typically kinky pre-show rituals that vary from show to show.

While fans can catch the most live performances during spooky season, there are screenings year-round (especially in major theater/arts cities like New York and LA). Sometimes cast members from OG films even take part in live screenings, making the experience even more authentic. Actually, Tim Curry was ejected from a midnight performance at the theater where it all began, presumably a con artist who also doubled as an actor. Impolite.

Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in

(Image credit: Allstar Picture Library Limited / Alamy Stock Photo / 20th Century Fox)

At my first show I took part in an underwear run and Virgin branding. The freedom and body positivity that comes from the tradition is on par with the joy and acceptance the LGBTQ+ community feels at Pride parades. Rocky Horror live shows tend to offer queer audiences the same safe space where we can let our freak flags fly and just be ourselves. It’s not a sexual thing (and definitely don’t go to a screening expecting to make something sexual out of it).

Why is the musical so popular with queer audiences? I’m glad you asked. Apart from the fact that the main character of the series, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), enters the musical in full glamorous garb, the film contains several gay storylines – and it doesn’t shy away from showing those raunchy scenes, which were pretty groundbreaking and scandalous at the time of its release.

The very inexperienced Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) even finds himself in a homosexual crisis when he loses his implied V card to Frank instead of his fiancée Janet (Susan Sarandon). Oops. It looks like her entire concept of saving herself for marriage is a failed venture. And let’s be honest: Brad and Frank’s chemistry is much better anyway. However, we should probably talk about Frank’s calculated ploy to get Brad and Janet into his bed, even though they give their full consent.

(L-R) Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss and Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors in

(Image credit: Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / 20th Century Fox)

I’m always happy to see bisexual representation on screen, as for some reason they were (and often still are) considered even more taboo than gay storylines. For example, the 2002 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode “Same Time, Same Place” essentially erases Willow’s bisexual identity and her loving relationship with Oz when she comes out as a lesbian to Buffy.

That’s not to say that people can’t find their place on the Kinsey Scale at any point, but that wasn’t the case with Willow. The creatives said they wanted to present a bisexual Willow (and Buffy was clearly supposed to have an affair with Faith), but this Network shot it down claiming that audiences are “not ready” for bi characters. Um, newsflash: Rocky Horror did it decades earlier. Come with the program. So it’s still a struggle, especially since shows and movies often focus exclusively on the direct relationships of bi characters. This is another reason why “Rocky Horror” was and is an integral part of the queer community.

A lasting legacy

A scene in which people dance

(Image credit: Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / 20th Century Fox)

I’m ashamed, Dr. Frank(ly), to admit that my first foray into “Rocky Horror” was the second season “Glee” episode, “The Rocky Horror Glee Show.” Please forgive me. I was a young and naive teenager who had not yet despised Ryan Murphy. I still have scars from Mr. Schue going shirtless at school singing “Touch A, Touch A, Touch A, Touch Me” with Emma. And no, it’s not even the most inappropriate teacher scene in the series. Shortly after, I was able to watch the original, which thankfully put those unpleasant images out of my head – which I think was the case for many “Glee” fans.

Aside from the musical’s special pop culture moment, the film has inspired countless references and remakes over the years. A live TV version of the film premiered in 2016 starring Laverne Cox. And while it didn’t receive particularly positive reviews (partly due to the need to make it TV-friendly), it was incredible to see a real trans woman in the role of Frank – who can be read as a trans character or just someone who loves drag.

Keep in mind that the original film only premiered six years after the Stonewall riots, and many of the most prominent characters were trans women who were pressured to hide their identities by adopting a drag persona. As much as Rocky Horror fans love Tim Curry, this performance was incredibly refreshing and crucial in steering Hollywood in the right direction. The live film also featured names like Adam Lambert (Eddie), Victoria Justice (Janet) and even Curry as a criminologist.

The 2016 cast "The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's jump back in time"

(Image credit: Fox)

Other homages to the film include a “Time Warp” scene in “The Simpsons,” subtle Columbia and Magenta cameos in Rob Zombie’s “Halloween II,” and a “Gilmore Girls” scene in which Rory masquerades as Janet and Lorelai disguised and chooses magenta. Other films and series that reference the cult classic include “The Goldbergs,” “Cold Case,” “American Dad,” “Fame” and “American Horror Story: Coven.” Amazingly, a “Sesame Street” also alluded to the film, and a parody of “Sweet Transvestite” is shown in “Mickey Mouse Club House.”

Of course, Rocky Horror has gained quite a few celebrity fans over the years. (Where are my theater mates?) To name just a few: Princess Diana, Gerard Weg, Jack BlackAnd Will Wheaton are among the herd. Of course, the movie musical has been a staple of pop culture for decades and will undoubtedly continue that trend in the years to come. But that doesn’t mean everyone appreciates his genius. I bought a copy of the DVD in college from a friend who claimed the film would give her nightmares forever. Your loss.

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That’s why “Rocky Horror Picture Show” remains an important film

From flop to bop

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