The Rocky Horror Picture Show

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Revision as of 03:14, 14 June 2007 by Mark Miller (talk | contribs) (Reverting this section back. There is no reason it cannot stay. That is not original research. Sorry if you are unaware of it.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) "RHPS" redirects here. For other uses, see RHPS (disambiguation). 1975 British film

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jim Sharman
Written by	Richard O'Brien Jim Sharman
Produced by	Michael White
Starring	Tim Curry as Frank N Furter Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors Richard O'Brien as Riff Raff Patricia Quinn as Magenta Nell Campbellas Columbia Jonathan Adams as Dr. Scott Peter Hinwood as Rocky Horror Charles Gray as the Criminologist Meat Loaf as Eddie
Cinematography	Peter Suschitzky
Edited by	Graeme Clifford
Music by	Richard O'Brien
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release dates	14 August, 1975
Running time	100 min
Country	UK
Language	English
Budget	$5,000,000 (estimated)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), is a film based on the British musical stage production "The Rocky Horror Show", with screenplay by Richard O'Brien and Jim Sharman.

Plot

The film spoofs many genres, such as horror films, beach movies, science fiction films.

The story, narrated by a criminologist, is that of a young newly engaged couple, Brad Majors and Janet Weiss who find themselves lost on a cold rainy night with a flat tire. The two, seeking a phone, find shelter at a nearby castle inhabited by strange and outlandish characters that are holding a convention. They watch, still wet from the rain as the group dances the Time Warp, the film's signature song.

They are swept into the world of Dr. Frank N Furter, a self proclaimed "Sweet Transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania" along with his staff of servants Riff Raff, his sister Magenta, groupie Columbia and an ensemble of convention attendees.

It is the Doctor's intention to bring life to his "creation". In a scene inspired by Frankenstein movies, "Rocky Horror" is brought to life. After being chased down by Frank the party is interrupted by Eddie, an ex-delivery boy, who rides out of a deep freeze on a motorcycle. The scene ends with his bloody death at the hands of the Doctor.

File:Hotpatootie!.JPG

Meat Loaf singing Hot Patootie.

Brad and Janet are shown to separate rooms where their host has his way with both. Janet, overcome with emotion wanders off looking for Brad. She discovers a cowering Rocky, hiding in his birth tank from servants Riff Raff and Magenta, who torment the creature, much as Igor tormented Frankenstein's monster. Janet, having just discovered Brad's infidelity, chooses to take advantage of the situation with Rocky.

File:Patricia Quinn.jpg

Richard O'Brien, Tim Curry and Patricia Quinn in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, settling down to eat Eddie's corpse.

After discovering the "creation" is missing, Frank, Brad and Riff Raff return to the lab where they learn that an intruder has entered the building. Dr. Scott, Brad and Janet's old tutor has come looking for his nephew Eddie. It is at this point that Rocky and Janet are discovered hiding together.

In a scene added specifically for the film version, the new guests are prepared a dinner consisting of the remains of Dr. Scott's nephew, Eddie. After they see what they have consumed, horror and disgust lead to a chase of Janet who runs screaming from the room.

Frank captures all and electronically commands them to participate in cabaret style floor show. The show is disrupted by Riff Raff along with his sister who take command killing Columbia, Frank and Rocky Horror. They release the earthlings Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott as the castle takes off into space to return to the planet of Transexual.

Production

In the production of the film, many of the original aspects from the Kings Road stage production changed, as did characters and dialogue, although many of it's original production staff returned to work on the film. Director Jim Sharman, Production Designer Brian Thompson, and Costume Designer Sue Blane had built the original London production with many of the actors that made it into the film version. Tim Curry reprised his role from the London and Los Angeles stage productions. After the film, Curry also did a short run on Broadway as Furter. Richard O'Brien returned as well from the British team as did Little Nell and Patricia Quinn. Filming began on October 21, 1974. Shooting took 10 weeks, longer than scheduled.

Several ideas from the original conception of the film were dropped before production. During the opening theme, the film was supposed to include clips from all the movies mentioned in the song "Science Fiction Double Feature". Producers discovered quickly that obtaining the rights to all these various film clips would be very costly and cut the idea. Another idea was to parallel The Wizard of Oz by having the first 20 minutes of the film in black and white until the doors burst open showing the Transylvanians in full color. The two processes of color film and black-and-white turned out to be incompatible and nearly impossible to achieve in 1975, so this idea too was discarded.

What did make it into the movie was an echo of old Hammer Horror films. A genre of its own, Hammer productions had a style unique for its time. Production Designer Brian Thompson and Director Jim Sharman chose locations, sets, and even props that were, in some cases used in many old Hammer productions. The castle is known as the Hammer House for the number of films that it appeared in. Today the castle, Oakley Court, has been completely refurbished and is now a first class hotel. The classic "Creation" scene in Rocky Horror re-uses the tank from a Hammer production of "Revenge of Frankenstein" starring Peter Cushing.

In the stage productions actors generally did their own make-up but for this film producers chose famed artist Pierre La Roche to redesign the make-up for each character. La Roche is also famous for designing make-up for David Bowie.

Production stills were taken by an artist famous for his 1970's rock photographs, Mick Rock. The photographer has published many calendars and photo books from his Rocky Horror work.

Costumes

Perhaps the most unique parts of this film are the costumes worn by the cast. Designer Sue Blane based all her designs on what little she knew of 1950's America as well as a previous stage production she designed called "The Maids". It is from this production that Tim Curry's Victorian corset is borrowed.

The stage productions had a very big impact on the film as Ms. Blane designed all productions to that point. These included the London, Australian as well as LA and Broadway productions.

Box office and theatrical run

The Rocky Horror Picture Show has taken in over $139 million in box office receipts since its release, which makes it the highest grossing movie to have never played in more than 1,000 movie theaters at the same time. The length of its run in cinemas (weekly for over 30 years) combined with its considerable total box office gross is unparalleled by any other film. The original budget for the movie was a tight $1 million. While filming, the crew went over budget, adding to the initial financial failure of the film. Many of the actors earned very little from the movie, both at its initial release and after it became popular.

The film has found longevity in many venues throughout the years in the US as well as through out the world. This movie is considered to be the longest running film release in history. The message and a good deal of counterculture has influences in both Musical Theatre and Horror Films. Rocky Horror has become a phenomenon, and so to have the fans themselves. Dori Hartly, a fan from the original New York shadow cast went on to appear in a Tim Curry music video. Others have simply stretched out their 15 minutes of fame to 90 minutes every Friday and Saturday night at midnight. If that is not enough they attend several National and International Fan Conventions every year.

Critical and Fan Response

Taken at face value, the film could be considered ground-breaking for its frank (albeit comical) depiction of subjects such as transvestism, homosexuality, cannibalism, voyeurism, adultery, and even incest. In addition, the scripting and design displays the writers' knowledge of the history of cinema even beyond the horror and science fiction film genres; for example, there are references to films as diverse as What's Up, Doc?, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, Rope, and Triumph of the Will. Nevertheless, the film did not do well initially when released. Instead of fading away it found the Midnight Cult circuit at theaters across the country.

Even though the film was panned by the critics, the fans would not let go. The RHPS Cult following was born and continues to this day all over the world. Merchandising is not as big as other mainstream films, however the films popularity has breathed new life to the stage productions which had only a 45 day run on Broadway early in 1975 at the Belasco Theatre. As with all fan favorites, Rocky Horror Sequels and other Media have found their way into production. Today there are prefabricated costumes sold in stores and online as well years of computer related and various soundtrack releases.

Taglines used in Marketing

While many people dismiss the marketing of films as not being a notable part of a films history, Rocky Horror is a little different. It's Marketing has had an effect not only on the film itself but on our culture. Along with the tagline "A different set of Jaws", the famouse lips logo is significant and has become a 70's icon. It is an image immediatly recognizable when referenced in such films as "Making Love" and even Rocky Horror's sequel "Shock Treatment".

The following lists the original as well as later taglines used as the film gained poularity.

A Different Set of Jaws.
Another Kind of Rocky.
He's the hero -- that's right, the hero!!
Let's do the time warp again!
Don't Dream It, Be It!
Dream it in your living room... Be it in the theater! (1990 15th Anniversary Video Release)
A Musical Dream Come True. (UK quad poster)

Video Releases

On the 15th Anniversary of the film a VHS Home Video was released. In 1993 a Laser Disc was Released with some features repeated on the up coming DVD. On the 25th anniversary the DVD with special features and DVD Rom games was released. Before the mainstream use of Home video a Super 8 version of the film was available.

Songs

"Science Fiction/Double Feature"
"Dammit, Janet!"
"Over at the Frankenstein Place"
"The Time Warp"
"Sweet Transvestite"
"The Sword of Damocles"
"I Can Make You a Man"
"Hot Patootie" (sometimes referred to as "Whatever Happened to Saturday Night?")
"I Can Make You a Man (Reprise)"
"Once in a While" (song and scene cut from film; can be found in versions with special features)
"Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a Touch Me" (sometimes referred to as "Creature of the Night" )
"Eddie" (sometimes referred to as "Eddie's Teddy")
"Planet Schmanet Janet" (sometimes referred to as "You'd Better Wise Up" or "Wise Up, Janet Weiss")
"Rose Tint My World"
"Don't Dream It, Be It"
"Wild And Untamed Thing"
"I'm Going Home"
"Superheroes" (song cut from some older American versions of film)
"Science Fiction/Double Feature (Reprise)"

References

Wittaker, Jim (2005-01-01). "A Musical Dream Come True". Rocky Horror Picture Show: IMDb user comments. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
"Welcome to Oakley Court". Retrieved 2007-06-13.
"Pierre La Roche". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
"The Numbers - Top 50 Movies Never to Go Into Wide Release". 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
"Fox Celebrates 25 Years of Absolute Pleasure, Pop Culture Phenomenon and Midnight Classic" (php) (Press release). RHPS Official Fan Site. 2000-08-24. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
"Dori Hartley". Answers.com. 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=3732

External links

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