THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) Reviews and overview

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‘A different kind of jaws’

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 British musical science fiction horror film directed by Jim Sharman from a screenplay co-written with Richard O’Brien, based on the latter’s theatrical production. The movie stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien and Patricia Quinn.

Plot:

Young couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are stuck with a flat tyre during a storm and seek help at the mansion of Doctor Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist.

As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Eventually, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

Reviews:

“As a film, director Jim Sharman’s premise is about as convoluted and incoherent as you can get. There’s monsters, aliens, transsexuals, frozen motorcycle bikers, and two narrators of the story. But taken on its own rate as a festival of unabashed sexuality without limitations or taboos, along with raucous musical numbers, it’s utterly entertaining.” Cinema Crazed

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is that rare combination of idea/execution synchronicity. O’Brien may have fancied himself a talented tunesmith, but his jazzy junk culture hits are pure pop ear candy – carefully building to bludgeon your subconscious with their addictiveness.” Pop Matters

“It doesn’t always make a whole lot of sense but there’s never a dull moment and the movie is and always will be a whole lot of fun. The music, peppered with B-movie references and innuendos galore, has a tendency to get stuck in your head long after the film finishes while the performances from all involved are fantastic.” Rock! Shock! Pop!

Rocky Horror remains very much a filmed play. The choreography, the compositions and even the attitudes of the cast imply a stage ambiance. And it invites the kind of laughter and audience participation that makes sense only if the performers are there on the stage, creating mutual karma.” Roger Ebert

” …most of the jokes that might have seemed jolly fun on stage now appear obvious and even flat. The sparkle’s gone.” Variety, December 31, 1974

Cast and characters:

Tim Curry … Doctor Frank-N-Furter – A Scientist
Susan Sarandon … Janet Weiss – A Heroine
Barry Bostwick … Brad Majors – A Hero
Richard O’Brien … Riff Raff – A Handyman
Patricia Quinn … Magenta – A Domestic
Nell Campbell … Columbia – A Groupie (as Little Nell)
Jonathan Adams … Dr Everett V. Scott – A Rival Scientist
Peter Hinwood … Rocky Horror – A Creation
Meat Loaf … Eddie – Ex Delivery Boy (as Meatloaf)
Charles Gray … The Criminologist – An Expert
Jeremy Newson … Ralph Hapschatt
Hilary Farr … Betty Munroe (as Hilary Labow)
Perry Bedden … A Transylvanian
Christopher Biggins … A Transylvanian
Gaye Brown … A Transylvanian

Filming locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England
Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England

Technical details:

100 minutes
Mono (35mm optical prints)| 4-Track Stereo (35mm magnetic prints) | Chace Surround (Remix for video release)
Eastmancolor
Aspect Ratio: 1.85: 1

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