by ann black

Created on: February 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

25 Years Of Absolute Pleasure! The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of
those odd movies that only seem to come around once in a life-time. A
young couple that just got engaged get a flat tire and are stranded in the
pouring rain late one night. On the way they pass a dark and mysterious
looking castle and after getting a flat tire they decide to walk back
towards the castle at least a mile walk back to the castle to use the phone

to call for a tow-truck. Little do they know what they are getting
themselves into on that stormy night. Arriving at the castle they are
greeted by Riff Raff (played by Richard O'Brien) and are taken into the
ballroom where they are striped down. Out of an elevator in high heals
arrives Dr. Frank-N-Furter (played by Tim Curry), a transvestite hosting
his annual convention from the planet Transsexual. Brad & Janet Majors
(played by Barry Bostwick) and (played by Susan Sarandon) and are soon
greeted by Magenta (played by Patricia Quinn), Columbia (played by Nell
Campbell), Dr. Everett Von Scott (played by Jonathan Adams), Rocky Horror
(played by Peter Hinwood), & Eddie (played by Meat Loaf). Originally Rocky
Horror was an Off Broadway play and then became a movie musical in
1975. When the film first opened it was being aired in the afternoon,
where is bombed. It was later moved to midnight showings where it became a
huge success and is one of the few films where audience participation is a
must. Some of the possible props are but not limited to just water pistols
providing back row squirts during a rain scene. Audience participants
sometimes bring newspapers for front and middle rows to shield themselves
from rain, flashlights or cigarette lighters ("There's a Light" verse of
"Over at Frankenstein Place"), rubber gloves (during and after the creation
speech, Frank snaps his gloves three times), and various other noisemakers
for the Transylvanian applaud on Frank's creation. Toilet paper
[preferably "Scott's" brand] can be seen when Brad yells "Great Scott!" -
throw a roll! At the end of the "Charles Atlas" reprise, the Transylvanian
throw confetti and so should you. Other outrageous actions can include
toast (when Frank proposes a toast at dinner), party hats (when Frank puts
on his hat to wish Rocky happy birthday, so does the audience), ringing of
a bell "When we made it, did you hear a bell ring?", or cards for "cards
for sorrow - cards for pain". The props tend to vary somewhat from city to
city, especially as some localities (and theaters) impose
restrictions. For example, the "There's a light" prop was almost always
lighters during the original 1970s shows, but open flames are now banned in
most movie theaters either by theater policy or by law. Considering that
another common prop is newspapers, this is generally a good idea if you
don't mind having the theatre completely trashed. Another example is that
some fans insist that the toast should be buttered. As you can imagine
however, many theaters frown on this due to the mess and the possibility of
someone slipping to break a leg. The film also doubles as a form of shock
therapy or better yet anger management where routine insults and profanity
are shouted at the screen and/or actors as part of the audience
participation. After many years it is still being shown and or acted out
in many cities as a regular monthly event.

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