When the Rocky Horror Picture Show first released it flopped. Seeking to sell more tickets, theatres in different cities started to release the movie at midnight. The theatres noticed that some people would show up repeatedly. Some of the audience would come back with their own costumes, shout the lines of the movie, bring their own props, throw their props, and even dance to the film as it played which became its own tradition. A film tradition that the community continues to this day. Later on, marking newcomers to the film with red lipstick writing the letter V as “virgin” just to let others know it was their first time watching the show. From the creation of life to space aliens, The Rocky Horror Picture Show – once a box office flop – turns 50 years old since its release in the US, making it the longest running theatrical release in history.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show sometimes includes a shadow cast (a couple of performers who act the scenes of the film while it’s playing). The Guild Theatre – where I happened to catch the show – included the Bawdy Caste from San Francisco. The main em-cee for the night, Dan-O, told the audience members not to “punch down” anyone with negative comments, but rather make jokes that are not at people’s expense ie. “punch up”; building a safe community for others during the show.
The people who keep coming back to the show connect with the film’s themes and keep the tradition of Rocky Horror alive.
“I think that most people find a connection in the Rocky Horror community and in the film with the idea of kinda being unapologetically themselves” Dan-O explained. “Especially queer folk and people who feel themselves to be outsiders in some way that in the rocky horror community they feel more welcome than in many other situations”
As the film released in 1975, it was one of the few films to have elements of LGBTQ visibility back then with the inclusion of the main antagonist Dr. Frank N Furter.
“It’s definitely not for everyone,” Dan-O said. “But for those: it’s about being silly, it’s about leaning into the sexual parts of yourself… it’s about leaning into the acceptance parts of yourself”
A large part of the film discovers one’s self expression from societal norms and accepting those feats over everything. Giving each societal norm a character in the film, leaving the characters to encounter unusual scenarios.
Mentioned by Dan-O near the end of his speech, before the curtains opened, was to quote the film itself, “Don’t dream it, be it” said in the film by Dr. Frank N Furter.
If you are looking for a silly or fun time and would still like to catch the show, the Bawdy Caste shows Rocky Horror all year-round in San Francisco’s famous Balboa Theatre. Scan your ticket and in response get the letter V on your face with red lipstick, of course only with your consent.
