By John C.

 

In 1975 audiences were first introduced to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Originally failing at the box office, a few years later it went on to become a cult sensation of midnight showings and outrageous costumes.  35 years later, it still remains a movie that’s simply so over the top, it’s entertaining.

 

Many of us also watched as last night’s episode of the hit TV show Glee payed tribute to the classic musical with The Rocky Horror Glee Show.  Watch it here if you haven’t already.

 

Last week, 20th Century Fox released a stunning HD transfer the original film on Blu-ray.  From the hallucinogenic opening scene of lips floating in the middle of the screen singing the homage to classic movies, ‘Science-Fiction, Double-Feature,’ to the mock-horror story setting of a young couple lost at a creepy mansion, watching Rocky Horror again it’s easy to understand both its initial failure and immense, lasting appeal.

 

My theory for the initial failure is, with one of the main characters a transvestite and largely sexual overtones, audiences in the mid-’70’s rightfully didn’t know what to think.  The sexualized setting and scant costumes would have been scandalous to many audiences.  Glee handled the risqué material well, with the introduction of themes regarding male body image issues and a few changed lyrics here and there, mainly to better suit the characters.

 

I had mixed feelings about some of the episodes in the first season of Glee, but the show’s second season has hit a particular high note.  The Rocky Horror Glee Show was no exception.  Hats off to guest director Adam Shankman for impressively recreating the musical numbers and to the talented cast of Glee for their excellent covers of the classic songs.  In one of the most interesting casting choices, Mercedes (Amber Riley) took over the classic Tim Curry role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and she nailed it with a rockin’ good cover of ‘Sweet Transvestite.’

 

But one of the most satisfying things about the special episode was the way that the show retained the true spirit of Rocky Horror.  “When they first started having midnight shows,” said Will Schuester to the Glee kids, “it wasn’t for envelope pushers, it was for outcasts.”  One shall never know exactly what caused fans to embrace the movie in such a big way, but I think that had a lot to do with it.

 

I think audiences have also embraced it simply because the unpredictable brand of weird-wackiness gains something new upon each viewing.  The strange costumes and mock-horror setting make it perfect for Halloween, while the excellent music, cheesy dialogue and special effects make it a campy blast to watch – with or without audience participation.  So lets all do the Time Warp and celebrate the 35th anniversary of this cult-classic musical.