The Rocky Horror Picture Show was born on the London stage in 1973 as the glam-rock damaged, hyper-sexualized 50s sci-fi kitsch baby of British theatre veteran and lyricist/composer Richard O’Brien. Considered a strong contender for movie musical success, the film adaptation was developed by 20th Century Fox in 1975, maintaining much of the various stage casts (O’Brien, Tim Curry, Meatloaf) as well as hiring a very young Susan Sarandon. The story is that of a “square” couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves (true to horror movie cliche) lost on a cold and rainy night. The two find dubious shelter at an all too conveniently located castle inhabited by transvestite mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter, his servants - incestuous siblings Riff Raff and Magenta, groupie Columbia and the titular Frankenstein-esque muscle man invented as the not-so-good doctor’s sexual plaything. The plot isn’t too important, but what happened next is. When The Rocky Horror Picture Show opened in California at the UA Westwood, it consistently sold out, but night after night, the audience was the same core group of diehard fans. Everywhere else, the film was a flop, savaged by critics. Spurred on by a few visionary studio execs, the film was re-launched as an exclusive midnight movie, beginning its run at the Waverly Theatre in New York City on April 1st, 1976. The cult phenomenon, as we know it today, was born. Over time, fans rapidly multiplied and began developing their own rituals - shouting responses to the characters’ dialogue, emulating the film’s costumes and eventually becoming the first movie to inspire interactive shows featuring “shadow casts” reinterpreting the film’s action below (or in front of) the screen. Midnight screenings became a national sensation. People were lining up on weekends, either touched by the film’s accepting “Don’t Dream It; Be It” message or amused by the goings on. Rocky Horror has become the most lucrative midnight movie of all time, queen of its genre and the longest running theatrical release in film history. More than 30 years later it is still in limited release in theaters around the world.

“Sweet Transvestite”
1979 Tom Snyder “Tomorrow Show” piece featuring early fans from NYC’s 8th Street Playhouse
1997 interview with star Tim Curry
Simultaneous live, shadow performance by NYC cast with film number, “Hot Patootie”

Official Fan Site
Rocky Horror Picture Show on IMDB
Rocky FAQs
“Don’t Dream It, Be It”: The Rocky Horror Picture Show as Cultural Performance