“It’s the ultimate cult movie. The first. The biggest. The one cult movie to rule them all.”
That’s what BBC says about “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
While the film aired in 1975 and subsequently flopped, it has since grossed over $170 million worldwide and holds the record for the longest continually-running movie release of all time.
Barry Bostwick, who plays Brad Majors in the film, explained that he and the cast had no idea what a phenomenon the “independent low-budget feature” would become.
Instead, he said, the crew sought out to be funny while exploring themes that “weren’t explored much in general media.”
“I don’t think any of us, when we did this movie almost 50 years ago, thought we were affecting the world in any way. It was exciting for us because we knew we knew we were doing something that was a little edgy, a little different, but I don’t think any of us had any feeling that it was going to go beyond just a movie musical that comes and goes and maybe sits on people’s shelves,” he said.
Midnight showings of the movie began at the Waverly Theatre in New York City in April 1976, bringing weekly crowds to the theatre in costume as their favorite characters, armed with props such as water pistols to mimic ‘rain’, rice to throw when the couple is exiting the church, and toast to throw when Frank proposes ‘a toast.’
Bostwick credits the ongoing shadow cast shows, which regularly started in New York to the ongoing success of the movie, saying, “I don’t think we’d be around if it weren’t for them.”
“It was just a network of outcasts — odd, original people — who fell in love with this whole idea of making something that had never been made before,” he remarked.
This is, in part, how a wide following was established, leading to numerous showings like the one coming up at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).
What to expect
Bostwick says the upcoming show at EKU will be an “interactive party atmosphere,” like all Rocky Horror shows.
“It’s naughty, but it’s not filthy,” Bostwick said. “It makes you open up yourself to other ways of seeing the world, your friends and family, and even yourself.”
Bostwick will do a meet and greet for VIP ticket holders, then he will introduce the film before moving to the audience to enjoy the show himself.
Those in attendance are likely to show up in costume, so Bostwick invites people to wear as much or as little as they like, in the true spirit of Rocky Horror.
The Rocky Horror golden rule for costumes is, “There will always be someone who looks more out of place.”
Plus, unique outfits are more likely to win the costume contest.
While the movie plays on screen, a shadow cast acts out the movie and interacts with the audience. Audience members will have their props at the ready while hollering fun and colorful phrases at the scenes onscreen.
It’s important to keep in mind that some props, like water guns, are not allowed. However, creative substitutions are allowed. For example, instead of bringing a torch/lighter, many people opt to use their cell phone lights.
Don’t have time to gather props? Don’t worry — Bostwick says prop kits will be on sale at the event.
Fans will be treated to a special memorabilia display with artifacts and costumes from the movie.
Tickets are on sale at https://www.ekucenter.com/events/3189-the-rocky-horror-picture-show.
Those who want to know more can go to “A Virgin’s Guide to Rocky Horror” at https://www.timewarp.org.uk/1virgins.htm and https://www.rockyhorror.com.