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USA 1975
Directed by
Jim Sharman
100 minutes
Rated R

Reviewed by
Bernard Hemingway
3.5 stars

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Based on his musical stage play, Richard O' Brien's Rocky Horror Picture Show  was a cultural phenomenon, albeit one that has waned somewhat since its heyday as its core demographic has aged and times have changed. Nevertheless, from the opening moments as O' Brien's disembodied lips sing Science Fiction/Double Feature, his ode to 50s B-movie horror and sci-fi, with classic songs such as "The Time Warp", "Sweet Transvestite" and "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me", Rocky is low budget fun (it went on, however, to make a monstrous profit).

Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are out on a rainy, cold dark night. Their car breaks down and the only sign of life they can find is a mysterious old house. Welcomed by a hunchbacked butler, Riff Raff (Richard O' Brien) they become the guests of Dr. Frank. N. Furter (Tim Curry), a mad scientist and cross-dresser who is secretly attempting to create a perfect specimen of manhood.

In the leads Barry Bostwick has never really been heard of again although needless to say Susan Sarandon went on to become one of the lead actors of her generations.  Rightly stealing the limelight however, is Tim Curry in a deliciously flamboyant performance that no doubt will forever be his calling card.

FYI: O'Brien, who like Sharman, an Australian, went on to write and star in a sequel, Shock Treatment starring Jessica Harper who had well established her lack of  musical skills with Phantom Of The Paradise  but the film failed on almost every level.

 

 

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