07/15/2025
In the early 1970s, Richard O’Brien was struggling to make a name for himself as an actor in London. Between acting gigs, he spent his time writing a quirky little musical that drew inspiration from his love of B-movies, 1950s rock ‘n’ roll, and science fiction serials. He called it "They Came from Denton High." With its eccentric characters, cross-dressing aliens, and a wild energy, the musical was too strange for traditional theater. However, Jim Sharman, a director who had worked with O’Brien on "Jesus Christ Superstar," saw something special in it. He encouraged O’Brien to refine the script, leading to the creation of "The Rocky Horror Show" in 1973.
The show had its debut at a small 60-seat theater in London’s Royal Court. Despite its limited space, it quickly gathered a passionate following. Soon, 20th Century Fox took notice and decided to make a movie based on it, although they didn’t expect much. Filming began in October 1974 at Bray Studios, famous for its Hammer horror films. To save money, they used leftover sets from another film, "The Eagle Has Landed," and antique Victorian props. The mansion in the movie, Oakley Court, was a real estate in England, but it had no heating, making the actors often shiver between takes, wearing almost nothing under their costumes to stay in character.
Tim Curry, who had played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the stage version, reprised his role in the film. To make the character even more unique, Curry changed his voice from a German accent to a posh British one, inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s way of speaking, hoping it would add to the character’s unsettling elegance. Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick played the innocent couple, Janet and Brad, who stumble into Frank-N-Furter’s chaotic world. Sarandon got sick with pneumonia from filming in wet clothes on cold sets but pushed through the discomfort, later calling the experience unforgettable, despite how miserable it had been.
O’Brien himself played Riff Raff and co-wrote many of the film's iconic songs, including "Time Warp" and "Science Fiction/Double Feature." The film's soundtracks were recorded live on set to capture the raw energy, a decision that was rare for that time. With a low budget, the cast brought many of their own accessories. Little Nell, who played Columbia, wore tap shoes she had kept since childhood, while Patricia Quinn, who played Magenta, agreed to take the role only after being assured she could lip-sync the famous opening number, which she practiced with great care.
When "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was released in 1975, it baffled critics and didn’t perform well at the box office. The film was a strange mix of musical, horror parody, and glam rock fantasy that no one knew how to categorize. However, things started to change in 1976 when a Fox executive, Tim Deegan, suggested midnight screenings. Word quickly spread, and audiences in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco began showing up in costume, shouting lines back at the screen, and even performing in front of the theater. The Waverly Theater in Greenwich Village became the epicenter of this new interactive experience. The film played there every weekend for decades.
There’s an interesting behind-the-scenes story about Meat Loaf, who played Eddie. In one scene, he had to ride a motorcycle through a laboratory, but due to space constraints, they used a wheelchair with handlebars instead. During filming, the wheelchair’s wheel got stuck, and Meat Loaf almost crashed. Despite this, he carried on with the performance, which earned applause from the crew.
For many years, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" became a film audiences returned to not for the plot, but for the experience. The songs like “Dammit, Janet” and “Sweet Transvestite” became anthems, and the film's costumes influenced everything from Halloween parties to drag shows and fashion runways. Richard O’Brien once remarked that the film was made with no money, no expectations, and no idea that it would still be celebrated decades later.
While the actors went on to have successful careers, many remained closely connected to their Rocky Horror roles. Tim Curry often spoke about how the film allowed him to express bold, outrageous ideas without restrictions. It was one of the few projects he felt completely free to explore.
O’Brien has continued to honor the film’s legacy, regularly attending anniversary events and embracing the ongoing love from fans. The fire that was lit in 1975 still burns strong every time someone does.
