THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: A 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Introduction

This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a film that turned a cult classic into an eternal midnight tradition, a social experiment, and a sartorial revolution all in one. The original stage show has been performed in twenty different languages and seen by thirty million people globally. It’s been five decades since a bizarre blend of science fiction, horror, and musical theater stormed onto the silver screen. And that’s just the plot.

Behind the glittering corsets, Transylvanian lips, and the unmistakable echo of “Dammit, Janet!” was a crew of brilliant (and sometimes slightly baffled) minds who brought the definitive cult film to life. Cinema Scholars takes a trip back in time to celebrate the making of the film that made the world ask, “Is it a Rocky Horror Show…or just an average Wednesday night?”

Beginnings: Tale of a Weird Spark

The story of *Rocky Horror* begins in the mind of Richard O’Brien, a British actor and writer with a penchant for strange ideas and an even stranger wardrobe. In 1973, O’Brien was sitting in a pub, likely over a pint or two of something very strong or some exuberant cocktail, when the seed for Rocky Horror was planted.

The basic premise? A young couple gets stranded in a storm and ends up at a creepy mansion. There, they find a mad, rock star scientist in high heels who creates a muscular but brainless man named Rocky. Cue musical numbers and bizarre happenings. It sounds like something out of a fever dream. And that’s exactly what it is.

O’Brien’s creation was inspired by the B-movie classics of the ’50s. A splash of early ’70s glam rock. And a whole lot of “let’s see what happens when we throw everything into a blender.” The result? A musical that combined science fiction, horror, and a lot of glitter, because what’s sci-fi without a little sparkle, right?

Casting Tim Curry

Once O’Brien had written the musical and it had run for a brief stint in London, it was time for the film version. The screenplay was written by O’Brien, and Jim Sharman was brought on as the film’s director. As you might expect, the casting process for was as unconventional as the film itself. The film’s iconic antagonist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, was played by Tim Curry, who was practically made for the role. Curry had previously performed the character on stage, but the film would make his performance legendary.

A little fun fact? Curry was initially a last-minute replacement. The first choice for the role was British actor and comedian Stanley Baxter, who had dropped out. Thank goodness for that, because no one else could’ve delivered those sizzling one-liners and filled those thigh-high stockings quite like Curry. After all, who else could make “I’m just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania” sound like a sincere biography?

Sarandon and Bostwick

Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise) and Barry Bostwick (Spin City) played Janet Weiss and Brad Majors, respectively. They’re the naive, virginal couple who get swept into Frank’s world. Both were relatively unknown actors at the time. Their innocent performances are part of the film’s charm. Especially since they had no idea what kind of madness they were signing up for.

Legend has it that Sarandon was so confused by the sheer absurdity of the script that she kept asking, “But… what does this mean?” Bostwick, meanwhile, famously had to keep a straight face as the script called for him to dress up in shiny gold spandex while singing about his love for a man with a six-pack—and no brain.

And then there was the creation of Rocky himself, played by Peter Hinwood. His character may have been built like a Greek statue, but in reality, Hinwood was a former model who had little to no experience in acting. But with the right amount of oil and muscle, he pulled off the role of the “perfect man” with only slightly more personality than a cardboard cutout. Still, his combo of platinum, bowl-cut hair and gold Speedos worked.

While O’Brien himself played sinister servant Riff Raff, his equally sinister sister, Magenta, was played by Northern Irish actress Patricia Quinn.

Production: Hairspray and Fishnets

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was shot in just twenty-eight days, which is a little mind-boggling when you consider how much goes on in the movie. Between the musical numbers, sci-fi sequences, and an abundance of hot dogs, it’s a wonder they didn’t run out of time (or sanity) before wrapping up production. 

But what stands out is how the film managed to look so outlandish on a shoestring budget. The set was just a few rooms of a mansion (actually, it was a dilapidated house in California), which had been transformed into Frank-N-Furter’s eerie palace. It’s a testament to the creativity of the filmmakers, who, when faced with limited resources, decided to put every penny into glitter, tight costumes, and enough feathers to fill an entire swan lake.

And then there were the costumes. Designed by Sue Blane, they were nothing short of revolutionary. Frank-N-Furter’s corset? Iconic. Janet’s demure-but-suddenly risque white dress? Chef’s kiss. The film’s wardrobe pushed boundaries, setting the standard for outlandish fashion for decades to come. And don’t even get us started on the makeup. That was not the work of your average MAC artist—those lips were serious business.

Legacy: From Flop to Phenomenon

When The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released on September 26, 1975, it was met with confusion. It wasn’t a hit, at least not at first. But somehow, word of mouth began to spread, and soon it had found its true home in the midnight movie circuit.

Fans began showing up dressed as the characters, quoting lines, and participating in all sorts of theatrical hijinks. If you’ve ever thrown toast at the screen or yelled “Slut! Slut! Slut!” during Janet’s big number, you’ve contributed to the phenomenon that has lasted for five decades.

The film became a tradition, a celebration of individuality, outrageousness, and the freedom to express yourself however you see fit. And yes, it turned a lot of people into lifelong fans who never met a fishnet or a pair of platform boots they didn’t love.

Conclusion.

Fifty years later, we’re still celebrating The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s a film that continues to make us laugh, cry, and cringe with its bizarre charm. It may not have been a box office success initially, but today it’s a cornerstone of pop culture, a movie that somehow got away with everything—and then some.

The cast has their own reflections, with Curry describing the film as a “rite of passage” and Bostwick stating that it’s Curry’s movie, with his performance providing the backbone of the production. Sarandon mainly recalls contracting pneumonia due to leaking sets and cold conditions. Creator Richard O’Brien remains bewildered at his creation’s enduring appeal:

“It’s astonishing it’s still going strong. I never assumed it would appeal to a wider audience than friends, and some like-minded people.”

As we raise a glass to half a century of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, let’s remember it wasn’t just the glitter that made it shine. It was the way it brought together misfits, weirdos, and lovers of cult cinema. If you’re feeling a little bold, don’t forget to shout your favorite lines and put on a pair of sequinned hot pants. It’s been fifty years, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that it’s always a good time to Do the Time Warp AGAIN!

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