Way Back Wednesday - Rocky Horror Picture Show

What do a Transylvanian transvestite, a cryogenically-preserved motorbiker, two young lovers and a Frankenstein's monster wearing golden underpants all have in common? They're all crucial parts of Rocky Horror Picture Show, the comedy cult classic which is at once hysterical, indispensable and truly disturbing.

(From IMDB) The story is narrated by a criminologist (Charles Gray), and features a newly engaged young couple, Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon), who find themselves lost and with a flat tire on a cold and rainy night. Seeking a phone with which to call for help, the two knock on the door at a nearby castle:

"There's a light over at the Frankenstein place ... there's a light burning in the fireplace ... there's a light in the darkness of everybody's life."

They find the house is inhabited by strange and outlandish people who are holding an Annual Transylvanian Convention. They are greeted at the door by the lowly servant Riff Raff (Richard O'Brien; he also wrote The Rocky Horror Picture Show) - my favorite character, after Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).


Still wet from the rain, Brad (asshole) and Janet (slut) watch the Transylvanians dance the Time Warp, the signature song from the movie:

"Let's do the Time Warp again ... it's just a jump to the left and then a step to the right ... put your hands on your hips and pull your knees in tight and it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane ... let's do the Time Warp again ..."

They are soon swept into the world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a bizarre and self-proclaimed "sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania" and his servants, brother and sister Riff Raff and Magenta (Patricia Quinn), as well as a 1970-style groupie Columbia (Nell Campbell) and an ensemble of convention attendees. The first time I saw Tim Curry in those high-heels and skimpy outfit, I was entraced! I never get tired of watching this movie!

It is Frank's intention to unveil the "secret to life itself". He takes the whole group up to his lab "to see what's on the slab". In a scene inspired by Frankenstein movies, Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood) is brought to life.


After the disoriented Rocky runs, and is chased down and tackled by Frank, the party is interrupted by the arrival of Eddie (Meat Loaf), an ex-delivery boy, who rides out of a deep freeze on a motorcycle. Eddie enchants everyone, and in a jealous response, Frank corners and slaughters Eddie (to everyone's horror) with an ice axe.

By the end of the night, fantasies will be realities, men will be women and everything will be explained - or will it?!?!? Of course, there are pre-designed spots for audience participation - from being doused with spray bottles to throwing popcorn at the screen to getting up from your seat and dancing along to the incomparable "Time Warp". If you have never watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show at a theater with full audience participation, you are definitely missing a treat!

PS: MTV is planning a remake of this classic - how do you feel about a remake? I for one don't think a remake would even be in the same universe as the original!!!