One of the most unlikely cult classics ever made, The Rocky Horror Picture Show began life as an obscure theatrical production playing in a venue that seated 60 people on a good night. Five decades later, the movie has now been seen by millions, and continues to play to packed houses around the world.
Creator Richard O’Brien conceived the play as a love letter to the obscure B-movies he had been obsessed with since childhood. The plot is a barely coherent mashup of Frankenstein and Plan 9 From Outer Space, held together by a magnetic central performance and some very, very catchy tunes.
In the role of Dr Frank ‘N’ Furter, Tim Curry gets the kind of showcase a performer dreams of – vamping it up in skintight leather fetish gear and pounds of makeup. From the moment he turns around in the opening to Sweet Transvestite, you know you’re watching a star being born.
Another major star getting an early break in The Rocky Horror Picture Show is Susan Sarandon, who took an unlikely journey from running around in her bra here to winning an Oscar for playing a nun two decades later. Her obvious talent elevates the role beyond playing the breathless sexpot – nobody outshines Curry, but she does get in some of the funniest line-readings of the film. (I particularly enjoy her perfectly bewildered “Yes… it’s raining” to Riff Raff when she and Brad arrive at the castle).
On this week’s podcast, we discuss our personal highlights from The Rocky Horror Picture Show – including the karaoke classic that almost didn’t make it into the movie, batshit supporting performances and a very cavalier attitude to cannibalism. We also check in with our listeners, check off our long list of potential drinking games and pitch some sequel ideas – with all due respect to the little-seen Shock Treatment, of course.
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Next week, we’re moving into our final ten episodes for the time being (*sob*) – so we thought we’d open the run with something Big. Until then, happy listening and remember – Don’t dream it. Be it!