The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Jim Sharman, UK, 1975, 100 mins

Is there anyone on earth who doesn’t know the tale of Brad and Janet (Dammit)? Don’t be bashful all you Rocky virgins, its never too late to learn, and its not all bad. “Let me take you on a very long, very strange journey...”

So begins the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Well, actually, it begins with a schmaltzy ode to the late night double feature, delivered by huge disembodied lips wrapped around teeth that need urgent bridge work. Lets be honest. The plotline, such as it exists, is really an excuse for the morally bankrupt orgy of cross-dressing, bed-hopping and ass and tit grabbing that is the real business of the film.

But Richard O’Brien, the show’s own warped genius, has recognised the fun to be had with the B-movie pheonomenon and has taken it to its illogical conclusion in Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon). Two good kids get engaged and decide to visit their high school tutor. On the way the car breaks down, so they go to use the phone at a looming gothic pile they happened to pass. Greeted by Riff Raff (O’Brien), a fetid embodiment of every gothic butler ever, they find themselves at the unveiling of “the Master’s” new creation.

The Master is Frank N Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite mad scientist who has made himself Rocky, a blond himbo with gold underwear and the IQ of a frightened puppy. The couple get absorbed into the debauched birthday celebrations against their will. But when Rocky goes awol and Frank N Furter takes a shine to both of them, things become orgiastically dangerous. Who are the mysterious Transylvanians? Will they ever escape? Do they want to?

Be prepared to come face to face with the things you thought you’d repressed. Meatloaf’s jeans were criminalised in 1982 for instance (his performance is all the more impressive for it), and the castle party will bring back memories of hellish nights in Teviot House union for Freshers. Most disturbingly of all, Tim Curry is actually very, very sexy...

Review by Rosie Anderson
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2002

Gimmie an R... Gimmie an O... Gimmie a C... Gimmie a K... Gimmie a Y. What have you got? ROCKY! Yes, it's here. The Rocky Horror Picture Show makes its appearance on the big screen during Fresher's week. A movie not quite like any other, this is a full interactive experience, with the emphasis on the "hands on" side of things.

With the stage show celebrating its 25th anniversary last year this movie just keeps on going, bringing in huge crowds whenever it is shown. It is the story of Brad Majors (asshole!) and Janet Weiss (slut!), two teenagers on their way to see the man who brought them together, Dr. Everett Scott (Zieg Heil!). They suffer a flat tyre and need to seek assistance at a castle owned by scientist Frank N. Furter, a cross-dressing bisexual alien from another galaxy who, after creating a man for himself, seduces both Brad and Janet, before subjecting them to the mystery "floorshow"...

Anyone who has seen this film on the big screen should know what to expect. Those of you new to the experience should put on your best stockings and suspenders (and this is just the guys!) and come along for one hell of a good night's entertainment, including a pre-show from Eddies Teddies (a must-see event).

So be prepared to dance, sing and shout at the one, the only Rocky Horror Picture Show. I can see you shiver with anticip...ation.

Review by Karl Byrne
Taken from EUFS Programe Autumn 1999