50 Years of Rocky Horror

After 50 years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show holds the distinction of being the longest running movie ever. It has become a cultural phenomenon as well as a rite of passage for many teenagers. Millions of fans around the world have watched the film multitudes of times and can recite lines from the script verbatim.

The original play, written by Richard O’Brien, was produced in 1973 at a small experimental playhouse known as Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in the West End of London. It starred Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and Richard O’Brien as Riff Raff. Curry and O’Brien first met while doing the play Hair in 1968. While O’Brien was writing the original play, the two ran into each on the street. O’Brien offered the script to Curry, who read it and signed on. The Rocky Horror Show went on to play thousands of shows in and around London, Los Angeles, Sydney, Copenhagen, Madrid, and finally on Broadway.

Bringing the play to Los Angeles was the boost O’Brien needed to turn the show into a film. The Los Angeles run of the play was held at The Roxy Theater on Sunset Blvd. The Roxy co-owner happened to be film producer Lou Adler. Alder had seen the original production in London. He was so taken with the show, he immediately purchased the US theatrical rights and brought the show to LA. Lou Adler and Michael White produced the film. By the way, Adler is still a co-owner of The Roxy along with his son.

The first showing of the play turned movie was in August, 1975 in London. By September of the same year, it was showing at the UA Westwood theater in Los Angeles which is very close to UCLA, giving the show an audience of college age viewers. Due to the quirky nature of the film, the studio determined that it was suitable as a midnight showing. The original showing required tickets to be purchased in advance and mailed to the viewer. Opening night was sold out. The Rocky Horror Picture Show quickly opened up in 10 other theaters around LA, but it didn’t have the same level of attendance as the Westwood theater. By 1976, the idea of audience participation was becoming popular, and movie goers were showing up to performances in costume. Mimicking songs and dance moves as well as reciting memorable lines throughout the movie became part of the experience.

Both the androgynous characters and the costuming of the cast had profound effects on fashions of the day, as well as culture. Corsets, fishnet stockings, and brightly colored hair became part of look of the era as well as a more relaxed view of sexuality throughout the 70s and 80s.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult classic, still gracing screens around the world on Saturday nights with live participation. Full Body Cast, a non-profit volunteer group in Boston, MA (shown above), has been shadowcasting the movie since 1984. It is now considered by the Library of Congress to be “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry. After 50 years of Rocky Horror, the picture show is still going strong.

Collectors of Rocky Horror memorabilia can find lots of choices, including these cool vintage items currently listed on Etsy.