"Rocky Horror" Helps Prepare Salem For The Halloween Spirit!
October 9, 2015 By: Joe Aubrey
Director Richard Brian’s “The Rocky Horror Picture” is a musical film about a newlywed couple that encounters a deranged transvestite doctor, his group of eccentric dancers and his very ‘manly’ Frankenstein monster. Since it was first released in theaters in 1975, the film has become a massive cultural film icon. It plays in tons of cinemas across the US and it holds the holds the record for the longest theatrical release in film history . It typically plays at popular midnight showings on Friday and Saturday nights. No matter how old and redundant it may become, many of these midnight showings open to huge crowds of loyal fans, many of whom claim to have seen the movie multiple times.
When the film was first released in 1975, nobody saw it. Critics didn’t like it and audiences couldn’t comprehend the movie’s awkward style. These reactions came from a society that was used to seeing film musicals typically in the same corny, family-friendly quality, such as “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”. At first, it seemed this absurd film would eventually fade away from the public eye.
But after several showings in many other small cinemas, people began going back to see it. Eventually, thanks to word-of-mouth, more and more audiences wanted to check it out. In close to a year since its release, this weird musical parody quickly became the talk of the town.
Audiences had become thrilled with the movie’s catchy songs, unique blend of dark comedy, and it goofy characters, such as Tim Curry’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter, which also happened to be his feature film debut. At these showings, one can find devoted fans waiting in hour long lines, dressed up as characters and singing and dancing.
Today, watching the actual movie in the theater is still an exciting experience. Right as the famous singing red lips appear on the screen to sing the title song, many people begin singing along with it. They even begin adding nonsensical words into the lyrics during different pauses.
During the show, it has become custom to say and act out the most asinine mannerisms at specific moments in the movie. One particular scene is when the insane Dr. Frank N Furter is sitting at the dinner table with his friends. At one point, he rises up from his seat and announces that he would “like to propose a toast”. At that moment, many excited audience members rise from their seats and begin energetically tossing sliced bread at the screen.
Another popular moment in the movie that gets many people jumping out of their seats is the bizarre musical number “Time Warp”. It consists of people following a peculiar dance routine that could have easily been choreographed by a high school student. But it’s fun melody and ludicrous disco moves really help get audience members in the spirit.
For anybody that attends one of these famous midnight extravaganzas for the first time, it may be very baffling to them. One big question they might have is- how has a movie, with no legitimate plot or character development, that is loaded with juvenile humor and abnormal music, become such a cultural phenomenon?
According to Kyle Brunet, a Salem State student that also works at the local theater CinemaSalem, when they showed “Rocky Horror” earlier this year for one night, it was a very “surreal experience”. He said that it’s usually a custom for “devoted fanatics to take their friends with them if they haven’t seen the movie”. Brunet mentioned that many people who haven’t seen the film before are labeled “virgins” at the door. While these “first timers” might be completely dumbfounded by the entire spectacle, many of the loyal fans already “know what they’re getting into”.
Tonight CinemaSalem will once again be showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight. Already many Salem State students have begun pre-ordering their tickets online. To kick off the event, the Teseracte Players of Boston will be hosting the showing. Kyle, the CinemaSalem employee, says that this will be the second time they’ve come here.
What’s sure to be expected is the Players handing out $5 bags at the beginning of the film. These bags will contain a newspaper, a spray gun, confetti and many other elaborate things. To prepare for the “The Time Warp”, which is the most heavily anticipated dance number in the entire movie, the Teseracte Players and the fans will practice “doing the dance before the movie”.
One thing that is expected of tonight is fun. Whether you’ve already seen the film or have never watched it before, you’re sure to enjoy a hell of a Friday night out. Come at least an hour in advance, because it’s most likely going to be a popular event for the town.
Contributor’s Note:The picture of Dr. Frank-N-Futher was drawn by writer, Joe Aubrey.