It’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s Birthday!
Well, doesn’t time fly when you are one of cinema’s most unlikely success stories?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, these red lips are about to celebrate 50 years as a pop culture phenomenon!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Jim Sharman’s cult 1975 cult classic starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To mark the milestone, a newly restored 4K version of the film will hit theaters (and Blu-ray) while a slew of fan events will roll out across the U.S. and Canada in addition to new merchandise hitting the shelves from Funko, Loungefly, RockLove Jewelry and more.
Get ready to do the “time warp” again!
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” premiered in the summer of 1975, and bombed! Yes, the film flopped when released…but a theater decided to run it at midnight, let the fans be as interactive as they wanted, and a cult sensation was born!
Let’s watch the original trailer, which to be honest wouldn’t encourage anyone to run to the theater:
From that inauspicious debut, the film has grown into the most beloved cult hit of all time…now, at 50 years old, it’s time to celebrate again!
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show!”
It’s the biggest cult movie success of all time, and for good reason!
So, “let’s do the time warp again!”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the 1975 musical science-fiction horror-comedy directed by Jim Sharman. The screenplay was written by Sharman and actor Richard O’Brien, who also plays “Riff Raff” in the film…you can see him here on the left, next to Tim Curry and Patricia Quinn.
The film is based O’Brien’s 1973 original musical play, and stars O’Brien, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn and Meatloaf – yes, MEATLOAF!
Ready to Do The “Time Warp” Again?
One of the film’s many pleasures is the terrific song “Time Warp”, which includes onscreen instructions so you can dance it yourself!
First, here are the lyrics:
“It’s just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it’s the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane
Let’s do the time-warp again
Let’s do the time-warp again!”
Now, let’s watch this iconic movie scene, as “Brad and Janet” meet the gang at Frank’n Furter’s castle:
Yes, that’s British Actor Charles Gray giving out the instructions before joining in himself…did you know he played 007’s nemesis Blofeld in “Diamonds Are Forever?”
If you’ve seen it “Rocky Horror” as MANY MANY TIMES AS I HAVE, then you know just how great this film is….and to celebrate the 50th anniversary, here are three things that will make you love it even more!
Reason #1: It Was Written To “Keep Occupied!”
That’s right, Richard O’Brien wrote it to keep himself busy!
As wikipedia reports:
O’Brien was living as an unemployed actor in London during the early 1970s. He wrote most of The Rocky Horror Show during one winter just to occupy himself. O’Brien conceived and wrote the play set against the backdrop of the glam era that had manifested itself throughout British popular culture in the 1970s. Allowing his concept to come into being, O’Brien states “glam rock allowed me to be myself more”.
And glam it is!
Reason #2: It’s The Longest Running Film In US History!
Even though the film bombed when it was first released, within a year, it returned to the Waverly Theater in New York City as a midnight movie. Audience members went crazy for it and returned dressed as the film’s characters, spawning similar performance groups across the United States.
AND IT HASN’T STOPPED RUNNING SINCE – 50 YEARS AND GOING STRONG!
The film is still shown at midnight screenings around the world, making it officially the longest-running theatrical release in film history!
Reason #3: The “Time Warp” Narrator was Almost Vincent Price!
Legendary Horror Actor Vincent Price saw the play on its opening night, according to ‘Rocky Horror’ creator Richard O’Brien, and wanted to play the Narrator in the film, who helpfully jumps in to offer guidance on the dance moves before getting carried away – instead the Narrator is Actor Charles Gray, perhaps best known for playing Blofeld!
And as you can see, he really got into the role!
Happy 50th anniversary….and remember that poster?
They were making fun of the fact that “Jaws” had opened just before the film did – yes, that means Bruce the Shark is also 50 years old!
“Jaws” is just as scary and entertaining as it was when it was released, here’s a look at why it changed cinema forever!
What a year 1975 was! It also saw the release of a film with 527 jokes in it!
Yes, here’s a look at the iconic comedy “Monty Python And The Holy Grail!”
Another film turns 50 – and is one of the creepiest horror films ever!
“The Stepford Wives” is great, and more timely now than ever!
See my review here!
Let me know if you’ve been to a midnight screening of this classic!
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Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Art, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, True Hollywood Mystery
johnrieber 
I have seen this movie over 100 times! One of my all time favourites, and I could watch it another 100 times with ease 🙂
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We are the same! I love the energy, originality and of course the music!
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50! How can that be? This is definitely a classic.
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Time flies, right?
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Yes!
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I love Rocky Horror Picture Show. I’ve also seen it live. I enjoyed rewatching Jaws last month and I’ve just finished the book.
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we just rewatched it recently as well and boy does it hold up well!
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I thought so too. Fabulous videography. Spielberg created a masterpiece.
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I’ve noticed a lot more things I’m familiar with are hitting the 50 year mark—more evidence of how old I am.
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Hmm. . . yes, I kinda remember this becoming a Friday night cult classic for my younger daughter also . . , I guess each age has its own ‘necessities’ those before and after cannot quite understand 🙂 . . . !!!
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wow, another classic hits the half century mark, I can’t believe it, we are old.) I remember the first time I saw this and all of the audience participating, I couldn’t believe how fun it was
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Yes, time flies! It becomes a pop culture phenomenon and I love that it did it because fans discovered it!
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I introduced my daughter to Rocky Horror and she was there every Friday nite…..a great show and a gre3at experience chuq
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I love that1 Thanks for sharing!
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I think I’ve seen Rocky Horror once on TV. Stepford Wives was very chilling back then, and yes, even more so today. I remember seeing Jaws when it came out…after that first scene in the water, I couldn’t eat my popcorn! Great post, John!
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Thanks for the comment!
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That film has really stood the test of time, John. Great fun, even today!
Best wishes, Pete.
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