I fell in love with Rocly Horror after going to Hull New Theatre to see Jason Donovan strut his stuff as Frank N Furter. The crowd was wild, the dresses were phenomenal, that bloke from Corrie (the one who did those crap windows ads) was the narrator! The only trouble was... I hadn't a clue what the hell was going on!
I was lucky enough to see RHPS on TV a couple of months later (with a pre-amble from Mark Lamarr about how uncomfortable he was with the idea that thousands of men in womens underwear were sitting looking at him at that moment!) - I got to find out all the plot points I missed in the theatre, and loved it. When I saw the 25th Anniversary DVD I had to have it - but I didnt realise what a treat I was in for!
The basic storyline - Brad and Janet, a clean cut, all american couple, get engaged and drive off to share the news with their friend and college professor, Dr Scott, in whose science exam they met. They get lost in the woods, their tyre blows out, and they are forced to find a phone... the only building
for miles around is an old castle. They enter to find a party in full swing - and then the owner of the castle, Baron Frank N Furter, comes skipping along, plastered in make up and dressed up in basque, suspenders and high heels.
Frank is of course a play on Frankenstein - he has been creating a man - Rocky - to fulfil his apparently endless sexual desires. Brad and Janet are invited to stay the night, and by chance they still meet up with Dr Scott, who arrives at the house some time later. However, from the point Rocky is "born" and Frank leads him into the bridal suite, all and sundry are dragged deep into a maelstrom of debauchery! (ooh long words!)
That's as much as I want to say - don't want to spoil the film!
The film stars Tim Curry as Frank N Furter, Richard O'Brien, the writer, as Riff Raff, Frank's servant, Susan Sarandon as Janet and Barry Bostwick (seen recently as a mayor on Sex in the City) as Brad. Charles Gray, better known as Blowfeld from James Bond narrates the film, while Meatloaf makes a cameo appearance as Eddie, the ex-delivery boy who made a handy brain donor.
Rocky Horror started as a stage production, and it was there that the audience participation began. It has continued as a cult; fans still shout at the film and use props, such as throwing rice at the opening wedding scene and throwing toast at the point Frank raises his glass (think about it!). It is a musical with many catchy songs, most famous of all being the Time Warp.
About the DVD:
It is a 2-disc set comprised of the film in all it's forms and a disc of extras.
The film can be watched in it's usual format, or in it's conceptual format - the film was originally destined to be in black and white up to the point Brad and Janet burst in to the Transylvanian's party. You can also switch on the "cinema experience" - in some American theatres the fans take RHPS to the extreme; a couple of hard core fans dress up exactly as the characters, climb on to a stage in front of the screen and do the EXACT moves the characters are doing on the screen behind them! You also have the option of switching on a participation prompter or even having an audio track of the RHPS fanclub shouting all their favourite lines! Be warned, though, switch this on and you barely hear the original lines... watch the movie first, then do it again with the audience on!
The bonus disc is full of extras. There is a "Where are they now" interview with several cast members; Richard O'brien presents a short documentary on the movie, giving us a tour of the castle (now a hotel) and playing a couple of the songs on his guitar. There's life in the old man yet! There is also a VH1 "pop up video" of "Hot Patootie", Meat Loaf's song from the film, with vairous entertaining facts about the film (Meat didn't ride a motorbike around the room, he was sitting in a wheelchair!), and about Meat Loaf (his many head injuries). Fans will also appreciate the addition of Brad's long lost song, Once in a While, and the karaoke versions of Touch-a Touch-a and Sweet Transvestite.
It took me ages to persuade my friend to watch the DVD with me - he didn't know RHPS, and although he always said, "Yeah, let's watch it," he always got round it - finding another video, deciding it would be better another day etc. etc. I finally managed to get him to see it recently and he loved it! So all those who aren't too sure - give yourself over to absolute pleasure; swim the warm waters of sins of the flesh... go out and get yourself a copy of this cult classic, I'm sure you'll love it!
![The Rocky Horror Picture Show (2 Disc Special Edition) [1975] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78241655.jpg)
by (3%):
07.12.2003 00:39
Wonderful review.. This is one production I have still yet to get to see.. You are making me more determined now than ever to see this show.. I simply love a good musical with a great story line. Lynn-Marie
15.06.2003 21:59
Great film. Can never recreate the stage show though.
03.06.2003 14:57
Hi I just wanted to say that i loved your op on RHPS this too is one of my favourites, and i think i have watched it at least 40 times. So well done!