The Rocky Horror Picture Show

It’s hard to believe that The Rocky Horror Picture Show wasn’t an instant hit, when it was first released in cinemas in 1975. Considering its cult classic status now, it wasn’t met with a great response initially. The film was certainly ahead of its time. What with aliens cross-dressing, pre-marital sex, gay relationships, and a man in fishnets, who has made everyone question their sexuality at some point.

It all began with one man: Richard O’Brien. He wanted to write an experimental theatre production, and where better than the Royal Court Theatre in London and down the Kings Road? In 1973, in a small theatre upstairs, The Rocky Horror Show was born. By 1974, it had gained huge popularity. And even attracted the likes of David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Lou Reed. Following its success, The Rocky Horror Show moved to the United States and was performed in Los Angeles.

Well, it was as popular over there, and soon enough, 20th Century Fox invested $1 million for the production to be made into a film.

Despite the success in theatres, the film wasn’t a big hit. In fact, it was received pretty badly. But midnight screenings of the film increased its popularity. In fact, many of the same faces kept returning. This is where the audience participation began. Thus, the film’s cult following was starting.

In fact, many people attribute the punk movement to beginning on the Kings Road, because The Rocky Horror Show helped move the idea along.

The over-arching message of the film is ‘Don’t Dream It, Be It’, which is sang by the main character: Dr Frank – N – Furter. As I mentioned before, this film was extremely ahead of its time. We had a gender fluid main character, fluid sexuality and transvestites dancing around an old hunting lodge. During the seventies, men were very stereotypical and portrayed in much the same way. Take Lewis Collins in The Professionals, for example.

The film celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. It champions the idea that you can be whoever you to be. ‘Give Yourself Over, To Absolute Pleasure’ isn’t only a lyric, it’s also a way of life for the Transylvanians. It’s unapologetically camp and utterly beautiful. It’s been noted in the media that creator Richard O’Brien has also struggled with his gender. He is gender fluid, and does consider himself transgender – though he does use the pronouns he/him as of a 2020 interview. He describes himself as ’seventy percent male, thirty percent female. Ticking the M boxes on forms, but much preferring there to be an ‘other’ option.’ He always felt isolated and he didn’t have a supportive family, so given that The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a film about sexual liberation, is a big deal. It has helped so many people who are struggling, and I think that’s wonderful.

I don’t really see this mentioned a lot, and I don’t know if it’s just me reading too much into it, but has anyone else noticed all the German symbolism in the film? Yes, Frank’s name, but other things. Like, Frank’s laboratory apron has a symbol, very similar to those found on concentration camp uniforms – most people know the yellow stars people of the Jewish Faith were forced to wear, well, homosexual males, had to wear a pink triangle. He also has a number tattooed, like the prisoners of concentration camps. I personally wonder if this is to symbolise the German Oppression in World War Two against Jews, Homosexuals, Disabled people, etc. If so, it’s very subtly done and I absolutely love it, because it reinstates how we’re all forced to believe that we have to fit into certain boxes, and if we don’t, we’re marginalised by society and treated differently.

Can we discuss Frank for a moment? I mean, I could probably write a whole post on just the characters alone, but I might save that for another day. But Frank. Putting aside my love for Tim Curry, Frank is a beautifully out-there, but terribly mis-understood person. I’ve heard some pretty stupid things said about the character, but I think he’s incredible. He’s flawed; like all the best characters. But he’s also loveable and somewhat of a less-conventional ‘baddie.’ Let’s face it, Frank is lonely. He’s creating the likes of Rocky, so he’s less lovely and has someone who loves him. This is alluded to, in the scene where Janet, Brad, Dr Scott, Rocky and Columbia are all turned to statues by the transducer. We can all relate to being lonely. When frank says ‘even smiling makes my face ache’ in that same scene, it really resonates. I actually spend a lot of time feeling sorry for Frank. He’s very mis-understood, and I just want to give him a cuddle. Personally, I can really relate to a lot of what Frank’s character is about.

A little fact I love about Frank, is that Tim Curry tried playing him with several different accents, and even as a blonde. Thankfully, the internet exists and I’ve seen him blonde, but I’m actually very happy that he did it with black hair. I don’t know why, but, I think it’s much better. It also fits in with the whole concentration camp thing I mentioned earlier.

My love for this film knows no bounds. I first saw it when I was three, and granted, I had no idea what it was about. But I loved the music and I loved Tim Curry from that moment.

As I grew up, I began to understand it. I think being exposed to this film at such a young age, really helped me to be open minded and just accept people for who they are. The Rocky Horror is definitely a once in a lifetime movie. The songs have helped me so much – I’m Going Home is such a poignant song for me. I’ve never felt so close to a song before. Whilst I have no issues surrounding my gender – I was lucky enough to be born into the right body – this film has helped me a lot. It’s got something for everyone.

I absolutely love everything about The Rocky Horror Show.