Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

It's Friday night at midnight and I end up at the Landmark River Oaks Theater in Houston. Hoping to catch a midnight show of Bobcat Goldthwait's "Shakes The Clown" I discover that my only viewing option is "Rocky Horror."

"You'll like it. It's good," says an obvious cast- member/groupie who overhears my conversation with the cashier. "I know. I've seen it before," I reply. This time it cost 6 dollars. That's the most I've ever  paid.

Inside are about 10 people and several cast members. All of the cast members seem awfully young to me except one guy I immediately recognize. This guy has portrayed The Narrator at almost every "Rocky" screening I've ever been to. I think his name is John.

I sit by myself and wait for the film to begin. Soon two cast members are up on a platform explaining all the rules to the audience (all 15 of us.) "No throwing rice," one of them says. I begin to wonder what kind of a experience this is going to be.

The film begins and I am home among family again. The cast is introduced. Heckling immediately begins and I feel safe. The cast is actually quite good. One guy there knows more lines to yell than I do. I actually crack up at some of the things being yelled that I have never heard before.

The first time I saw "Rocky" in the 90's I was 2 months away from being 30 years old. Seeing it again for the 70th- some-odd-time makes me feel young and old.

I drive towards home wondering if this campy little film will be showing at midnight on the weekends until the end of time. I wonder if I'll be able to take my nieces and nephews to see it one day. Somehow the thought of seeing "Rocky" when I'm 60 and yelling "Slut" at Janet and "Asshole" at Brad fills me with optimism. Maybe growing old won't be so bad after all.

Note: Directed by Jim Sharman. Written by Richard O'Brien (who plays Riff Raff in the film), it was originally a stage play called "The Rocky Horror Show." Other cast members include Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meat Loaf, Little Nell (Campell).

The American version had one song at the end cut out and "Time Warp" reprised over the end credits. The original British version, with the lost song included and a more mellow song over the credits is now sometimes shown in America.

O'Brien penned a film sequel called "Shock Treatment" (1981) which starred many actors from the original cast but had Jessica Harper and Cliff DeYoung as Brad and Janet and Tim Curry nowhere to be  seen.

Curry has oft times disavowed the film but more recently has appeared at anniversary screenings here
and there.

Sarandon claimed she took the role for the opportunity to do a musical.

Report Card

Final Grade: Let's face it, as a film is probably an D- or F at best - but with a cast it varies, everytime, and that's what's so great about it.