Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The College Programming Board hosted a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the H-Wing Auditorium and students flocked to see the classic 1975 film.
“It’s going to be amazing,” said sophomore Fiona Connell. “I’m here with all my friends, and I’ve never seen ‘Rocky’ before, so this should be great.”
Soon after the starting time of the event, the lights of the room dimmed. The darkness hid the faces of the audience as they stared at the vibrant red lips of Magenta (Patricia Quinn) on screen.
“I love ‘Rocky’ so much! I get a kick out of seeing the virgins’ reactions to the experience,” said sophomore Tali Felner, a veteran “Rocky” fan referring to the first-time viewers in the crowd. The opening credits rolled while the famous lips sang Richard O’Brien’s song, “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” Richard O’Brien plays the character of Riff Raff, a henchman of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).
Sophomore Brennan Critelli described the film as, “Grease meets Beetlejuice.” The movie follows newlywed couple Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) and Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) as their car breaks down one fateful night. Brad remembers there is a castle a few miles back. They walk to the castle, and inside this “hunting lodge for rich weirdos” is a particularly unique bunch of characters.
The scene opens with Riff Raff and the ensemble singing “Time Warp,” one of the movie’s many iconic songs. The in-film narrator even takes the time to explain the dance, which the audience sang and danced along to. The song ends with an all-black elevator descending upon the main hall where Brad, Janet and their new “friends” are.
Inside the elevator is the castle’s owner, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Frank-N-Furter is an evil scientist, set on creating the perfect specimen to use as his plaything. Frank-N-Furter unveils his creation, the handsome and attractive Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood). Then, Eddie (Meat Loaf) emerges from the Deep Freeze and harasses the partygoers. Frank, scared that Eddie will be a bad influence on Rocky, kills Eddie and hides his body in the Deep Freeze.
Rocky and Janet become attracted to each other, and out of fear of losing his creation, Frank-N-Furter “Medusafies” Brad, Janet and Rocky, turning them to stone. Then Frank is betrayed by his henchmen, Riff Raff and Magenta.
The culture behind “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is considered by many to be an amazing phenomenon. Live showings and screenings often attract hundreds of people. The latest mainstream iteration of the film, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again,” aired on NBC earlier this month as a live musical. The television special has revitalized a show that is usually enjoyed by a select group of people. For now, this cult classic is back in the limelight. To quote the narrator of the film, “Some folks say that life is an illusion, and that reality is simply a figment of our imaginations” but the spectacle that is the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" leaves nothing to be desired.
kferlita@ramapo.edu
