--=={{****************************************************************}}==--
THE RHPS FAQ - version 3.9z
last update October 31 - November 4, 1997
conceived, compiled, written, and edited by Jason Alan "P7A77" Pfaff
Founder and version 3.9z Editor: p7a77@concentric.net
version 4.0 Editor: larryv@rockyhorror.org
http://www.faq.rhps.org
http://rockyhorror.org/faq/
Copyright 1993-7 P7A77, Inc.
--=={{****************************************************************}}==--
*** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - PLEASE READ ***
This is the final version of the RHPS FAQ that will come out of P7A77, Inc.
I created this FAQ in the summer of 1993 and have been maintaining it ever
since. However, in recent years, the focus of my life has shifted, and I find
I have less and less time to spend on it. And so, with the posting of this
version, the FAQ is no longer under my control. It was a difficult decision
to make, but I would rather see it continue to grow and change under the
proper supervision of someone else than just get stale and moldy in my never-
ending "to do" list.
"But," I hear you asking yourselves, "to whom are you transferring control?"
That person is none other than a.c-m.r-h's own Larry "Vamp" Viezel. Larry has
been on the newsgroup as long as I have (maybe longer). He's had experience
organizing several mini-conventions and is partially responsible for the
recent surge in popularity that Shock Treatment has received. I've observed
his net personality and attitude for years, and I feel that he's the best
choice as the FAQ's new owner, both in organizational ability and sense of
humor. I will be giving him all my notes on possible changes that I never got
around to doing (including my outline for three separate FAQs - RHPS, ST, and
The Fans), and letting all the regular contributors know his email address
(finally - no more daily harassment from Joe and Ruth ;>). I also look
forward to seeing any new ideas he has and am curious to see in what direction
he will take it.
The URL was intended to remain the same. One of the reasons I made the move
to rhps.org is the first place was to make any future transitions easier
(plus, I liked the domain name). However, rhps.org seems to be down at the
moment, so the FAQ will currently be located at www.rockyhorror.org/faq/. If
rhps.org ever gets back online, it will again be located at www.faq.rhps.org,
with a mirror at rockyhorror.org. I apologize for this inconvenience.
I'd like to thank specific people who have helped me and stuck with me
through the years. Thanks are due to: Kevin Bourrillion, for emailing me
every message posted to the newsgroup before I had access to it; George
Burgyan, for helping me take those first few steps and putting up with my net-
ignorance; Dan S. Dye, for reasons only he need know about; Adam Moss, for the
now defunct RHPS email fanzine; James Norman, for encouraging me with the
original text to web transfer; Betty Thomas, for making sure my Tim info was
always full and accurate; and "Zenin", for having one hell of a newsgroup
archive, which has come in handy from time to time.
An extra special thank-you to Joe Blevins, for constantly bombarding me with
information, actor credits, and top-notch parodies and quizzes; Ruth J. Fink-
Winter, for just a whole bunch of stuff, including international RHPS
information, and for continuously kicking me in the ass to get me working on
this thing; to Christopher Ambler, for providing the space at rhps.org, and
for putting up with my numerous memory blocks involving account passwords; and
especially to Larry Viezel, for being someone whom I trust to take over the
FAQ, and being willing to do it. And, of course, to the scores upon scores of
people who kept providing new information and encouraging my work on the FAQ.
You know who you are.
Now, for a more personal note. RHPS has had a big impact on my life. I
first discovered it in high school, and it was responsible for my coming out
of several shells. I've met many great people through the show, and I feel
comfortable knowing that no matter where I go, there'll likely be a show for
me to attend. Earlier this year, the time was right for me to stop
performing. I now attend only occasionally. With this, my passing on of the
FAQ, it seems that I am now 'retired' from the RHPS life. The scene is
different now. I'm different now. It's simply time for me to move on. I
hold no resentment or regrets; RHPS was, is, and always shall be one of my
favorite movies, and I will always remember this time in my life. So, with
this, I say - goodbye.
Good luck, Larry. You're going to need it. :)
- Jason Alan "P7A77" Pfaff / p7a77@concentric.net
--=={{****************************************************************}}==--
Table O' Contents
-----------------
[Sections with significantly new information from the last version are marked
with an asterisk (*). Sections with slight changes are marked with a cross
(+).]
Section 0 - Basics about the FAQ
0a - What does FAQ mean?
0b - Why is a FAQ necessary?
0c - If that's what a FAQ is, why is *THIS* necessary?
0d - How can I quickly find what I want?
0e - How are the version numbers determined?
* 0f - What changes were made from the last version?
0g - What changes are planned for future versions?
Section 1 - Basics about the RHPS
1a - What does RHPS mean?
1b - What does RHPS *really* mean?
1c - What does RHPS FAQ mean?
1d - How can *I* see RHPS?
+ 1e - What theatres show RHPS?
1f - How can I find out where RHPS is playing in my area?
1g - Where can I get a current copy of the theatre list?
1h - What theatre has been showing RHPS for the longest time?
1i - How can I get the rights for a showing of RHPS?
Section 2 - History of the RHS
2a - What does RHS mean?
2b - How did RHS start?
2c - Where did it go from there?
+ 2d - What are the cast lists from the three original shows?
2e - What casts have existed throughout the years?
2f - Where can I get recordings of RHS casts?
2g - Is RHS still performed?
2h - How is the play different from the movie?
2i - Is there Audience Participation for RHS?
2j - How can I find out where RHS is playing in my area?
2k - How can I get the rights for a production of RHS?
Section 3 - History of the RHPS
3a - What does RHPS mean?
3b - How did RHPS start?
3c - Where did it go from there?
3d - Where was RHPS filmed?
* 3e - What is the cast and crew list for the movie?
3f - What is the song list for the movie?
3g - What changes to the songs were made for the movie?
+ 3h - What different versions of the movie exist?
3i - What's the difference between the stereo and mono versions?
3j - Why are there so many different versions?
Section 4 - Attending the RHPS
+ 4a - Are all the shows as good as the one I just saw?
+ 4b - Are all the shows as bad as the one I just saw?
4c - What should I take to a showing of RHPS?
4d - What should I wear to a showing of RHPS?
4e - What should I expect at a showing of RHPS?
4f - What's with this Audience Participation thing?
4g - What's a virgin?
4h - Should I worry that I'll be embarrassed if I'm a virgin?
4i - Should I worry that I don't know many of the call-backs?
4j - Should I locate an audience participation script and memorize it?
4k - What should I do before the movie?
4l - What should I do during the movie?
+ 4m - What should I do after the movie?
Section 5 - RHPS Casts
5a - What's an RHPS cast?
5b - I thought RHPS was a movie; why are there casts?
5c - Do cast members get paid?
5d - How do they afford all those great costumes and props?
5e - How do they make all those great costumes? [*under construction*]
5f - How do they make all those great props? [*under construction*]
5g - Why do people perform in casts?
5h - What casts have existed throughout the years? [*under construct.*]
5i - How can I join a cast?
5j - How can I start a cast?
5k - How can I get a theatre to allow my cast to perform?
Section 6 - Errors and Trivia
+ 6a - What movies are alluded to in RHPS?
6b - What's with these errors in the editing?
+ 6c - What's with all the discontinuity?
6d - What are the most frequently asked trivia questions?
+ 6e - Who is...?
6f - What are some other tasty trivia tidbits?
+ 6g - What are the urban legends?
* 6h - What's the RHPS Trivia Quiz?
+ 6i - What is the Rocky Pledge of Allegiance?
Section 7 - Clubs to Join, Things to Read
7a - What are the addresses of various fan clubs and how can I join?
7b - What newsletters and fanzines have existed throughout the years?
7c - What newsletters and fanzines exist now?
+ 7d - What books exist?
7e - What magazine articles have been written? [*under construction*]
Section 8 - Rocky Horror Elsewhere
+ 8a - What movies have had references to RHPS?
* 8b - What television shows have had references to RHPS?
* 8c - What music videos have had references to RHPS?
+ 8d - What other movies have gotten the "RHPS Treatment"?
+ 8e - What parodies of RHPS exist?
+ 8f - What crossovers, sequels, stories, etc., have been written by fans?
+ 8g - Where can I get cool RHPS stuff?
* 8h - What's the RHPS Computer Game?
+ 8i - Is there an official sequel to RHPS?
+ 8j - What about Shock Treatment?
+ 8k - What about Revenge of the Old Queen?
+ 8l - Anything else?
Section 9 - Shock Treatment
9a - What is Shock Treatment?
9b - What is Shock Treatment *really*?
9c - Is it a sequel to RHPS?
* 9d - What is the cast and crew list for ST?
9e - What is the song list for ST?
9f - What different versions of ST exist?
9g - How can I see ST?
9h - Is ST anything like RHPS?
9i - Do casts perform for ST?
9j - Is there Audience Participation for ST?
9k - How can I find out where ST is playing in my area?
+ 9l - What is some ST trivia?
9m - How can I get the rights for a showing of ST?
Section 10 - Where Are They Now?
+ 10a - Tim Curry
+ 10b - Susan Sarandon
+ 10c - Barry Bostwick
+ 10d - Richard O'Brien
+ 10e - Lady Patricia Stephens (Pat Quinn)
+ 10f - Laura Campbell (Little Nell)
10g - Peter Hinwood
10h - Jonathan Adams
+ 10i - Michael Lee Aday (Meat Loaf)
+ 10j - Charles Gray
Section 11 - Soundtracks and Scripts
+ 11a - What different soundtracks exist?
11b - Where can I get sheet music for the movie and/or play?
+ 11c - Where can I get the script to the play?
+ 11d - Where can I get the script to the movie?
+ 11e - Where can I get the shooting-script to the movie?
+ 11f - Where can I get an audience participation script?
+ 11g - Where can I get the script to Shock Treatment?
+ 11h - What other scripts and such exist?
Section 12 - Rocky on the Net
12a - Where can I get RHPS information on the Internet?
12b - What is alt.cult-movies.rocky-horror?
* 12c - What WWW sites exist?
+ 12d - How can I make my own RHPS Web Page?
* 12e - What are guidelines for writing a RHPS web site?
+ 12f - Can I use images from other sites on my own site?
+ 12g - Where can I get graphics and sounds?
+ 12h - Anything else?
Section 1/0 - Aren't we done *yet*?
1/0a - Who wrote this FAQ?
* 1/0b - Who helped out?
* 1/0c - Who's taking it over?
+ 1/0d - What's the history of this FAQ?
+ 1/0e - Can I copy any of the information in this FAQ?
* 1/0f - Where should I send comments, bug reports, compliments, etc.?
* 1/0g - How should I pronounce that name?
+ 1/0h - Will you shut up already and end the FAQ?
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 0 - Basics about the FAQ
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
0a - What does FAQ mean?
____________________________________________________________________________
FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. More specifically and
accurately, a FAQ contains *answers* to Frequently Asked Questions.
____________________________________________________________________________
0b - Why is a FAQ necessary?
____________________________________________________________________________
On Usenet (the newsgroups of the Internet), various newsgroups tend to get
"spammed" (i.e., cluttered) with messages from new people asking questions
that have already been answered several times previous. Because of this,
conversations can become rather cyclical. The FAQ is a document, specific to
a certain newsgroup (or cluster of newsgroups), that is posted regularly, so
that new users can get their questions answered easily and more efficiently,
and thus save everyone unnecessary hassle.
____________________________________________________________________________
0c - If that's what a FAQ is, why is *THIS* necessary?
____________________________________________________________________________
Why not? FAQs have evolved to contain more than just answers to basic
questions; they are often tomes of information and trivia that even the most
informed people might not know all of. The writer of a FAQ is usually a much-
respected member of his/her community, and receives praise and affection
wherever s/he may go. At least, that's the way it should be.
____________________________________________________________________________
0d - How can I quickly find what I want?
____________________________________________________________________________
Sections are divided by lines of '===' and subsections by lines of '___'.
To quickly jump to the next section or subsection, simply do a search for
those lines. To find a specific subsection from the Table O' Contents, do a
search for the letter-number header of the subsection. It's really not
terribly difficult to figure out.
____________________________________________________________________________
0e - How are the version numbers determined?
____________________________________________________________________________
Slight changes, rewordings, and corrections increase the letter value (i.e.,
v1.0a to v1.0b). Major reworkings of a subsection or slight changings of
layout increase the decimal value (i.e., v2.0 to v2.1). Major rerworkings of
a section or major changes in layout increase the number value (i.e., v2.0 to
v3.0).
Any changes made to the decimal will reset the letter value, and any changes
to the number will reset both the decimal and the letter. For example, a
reworking of a subsection in version 1.0b would create version 1.1 (not
1.1b). A reworking of a section in version 1.3f would create version 2.0 (not
2.3f, 2.3, or 2.0f).
Please note, however, that periodically I may just increase the version
number for the hell of it. It's my FAQ, dammit - I'll do what I want with it.
____________________________________________________________________________
0f - What changes were made from the last version?
____________________________________________________________________________
Sections with significantly new information from the last version are marked
with an asterisk (*) in the Table O' Contents. Sections with slight changes
are marked with a cross (+).
[to 3.9z]
Significant Changes:
* 3e - Cast and Crew for RHPS expanded and IMDb links added in WWW version
* 6h - Crappy 'trivia quiz' gotten rid of
* 8a - Movie references added, including Men in Black
* 8b - Television references added, including Drew Carey and 3rd Rock
* 8c - Music Video references section added
* 8h - New section devoted to various RHPS computer games, including
information on the new one
* 9d - Cast and Crew for ST expanded and IMDb links added in WWW version
* 10 - IMDb links added in WWW version
* 12c - WWW listings reorganized and greatly expanded - FTP section
removed, since none seem to exist any more
* 12e - Guidelines on writing a RHPS web page added
* 1/0 - Larry Viezel taking over the FAQ.
[to 3.7]
Significant Changes:
* 3d - NEW SECTION - Information on the castle in which RHPS was filmed
* 3h - New versions of the film and video added
* 6d - Information on 4711, Denton, and lips expanded
* 8c - Information on Showgirls added
* 8i - ROTOQ cast and song lists added
* 12e - NEW SECTION - Information on starting a new web page
* 12g - NEW SECTION - Information on borrowing images and text
[to 3.6]
Significant Changes:
* 2h - NEW SECTION - differences between the play and the movie
* 6c - Section was mysteriously absent from 3.5 - readded
* 6e - NEW SECTION - "Who is...?" - Lily St. Cyr, Charles Atlas, etc.
* 8c - NEW SECTION - Other movies which have received the RHPS Treatment
* 12d - WWW list reorganized and expanded
____________________________________________________________________________
0g - What changes are planned for future versions?
____________________________________________________________________________
Aside from everything marked as "under construction", some of the following
additions are planned:
* A listing of other films that RHPS-type people might enjoy
* Information on RHPS floorshows, including cast web pages
* A section on what books have had references to RHPS
* A listing of the differences between RHS and RHPS
* An indication of which movies in the actors' credits section are available
on video
If you have any suggestions, please send feedback.
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 1 - Basics about the RHPS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1a - What does RHPS mean?
____________________________________________________________________________
* Ralph Hapschatt's Parties Suck
* Random House Personal Slaves
* Rarely Having Parternal Sex... Rouses Horny Pestering Stimulations
* Rarely Humorous Pointless Satire
* Really Harboring Pent-up Sex-feelings
* Really Happy Pig-faced Shitheads
* Really Hideous Penguin Sundaes
* Really Horny Purple Salamanders
* Really Horrible People Shouting
* Reagan Having Phone Sex
* Red Hot Potato Skins
* Regrettably, Hinwood's Performance Stinks
* Rich Horny Potato Soup
* Richard's Honorable Profound Script
* Ridiculous Horny-Person's Story
* Ridiculously Hairy Perverts Singing
* Ridiculously Horny People Stripping
* Ripe Hot Pudding Shots
* Road House Personal Shipping
* Rotton Horse Poop Stinks
* Rough Housing Produces Sex
* Rowdy Happy Pool Swim
____________________________________________________________________________
1b - What does RHPS *really* mean?
____________________________________________________________________________
The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's a movie.
Check out what newsgroup you're in.
____________________________________________________________________________
1c - What does RHPS FAQ mean?
____________________________________________________________________________
As was previously stated, FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. This
is the RHPS FAQ, or the Rocky Horror Picture Show Frequently Asked Questions.
They're the questions that are most frequently asked about The Rocky Horror
Picture Show. If a question is asked frequently about The Rocky Horror
Picture Show, it would be in here. Likewise, if The Rocky Horror Picture Show
had questions frequently asked about it, they would be in here. As would
frequently asked questions about The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Frequently asked questions about Chia Pets would not be in here, nor would
questions asked frequently about J.R. "Bob" Dobbs. Questions that are
frequently asked about gerbils would not be in here, and neither would
questions frequently asked about the ramifications of the United States'
intervention on the political, social, and economical structure of the Middle
East. This is the RHPS FAQ.
____________________________________________________________________________
1d - How can *I* see RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Well, there are seven main ways:
1 - Rent it from a video store
2 - Buy it from a video store (or mail-order)
3 - Steal it from a video store
4 - Borrow/Steal it from a library
5 - Rent/Buy/Steal/Borrow the film and get a projector
6 - Watch it on television (US, UK, and Canada)
7 - Go to a movie theatre, dammit.
____________________________________________________________________________
1e - What theatres show RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Lots of 'em - usually the most trashy looking ones in town.
Most major cities have shows on a regular basis, and others have special
showings throughout the year. Most college campuses will have special
showings throughout the year as well (usually during Halloween and at the end
of a term).
A constantly updating theatre list - complete with reviews, phone numbers,
etc. - is maintained by Jeff Baker and is available in HTML format at
http://www.towson.edu/~jbaker/theater.html.
____________________________________________________________________________
1f - How can I find out where RHPS is playing in my area?
____________________________________________________________________________
There're a few ways of doin' that, too:
1 - Become a member of the Fan Club and ask Sal Piro for a list
2 - Check the Internet theatre list
3 - Look in a newspaper for theatre listings
4 - Call a random theatre in your city and ask them if they know
5 - Just drive around aimlessly, periodically asking pedestrians if they
know
____________________________________________________________________________
1g - Where can I get a current copy of the theatre list?
____________________________________________________________________________
I told you that already. Pay attention.
____________________________________________________________________________
1h - What theatre has been showing RHPS for the longest time?
____________________________________________________________________________
Many people claim that it is the Graceland Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, which
has been showing RHPS regularly since 1976. Even though the Graceland has
recently changed its name to Flickers, it still counts as the same theatre.
However, Graceland's claim is also challenged. While RHPS has been shown
regularly at Graceland through the years, it hasn't been continuous. The
Austin Cast claims that it has the longest run, with *two* weekly shows since
May 12, 1976.
Who knows what the real answer is.
____________________________________________________________________________
1i - How can I get the rights for a showing of RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
For the rights to The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie, contact
Twentieth Century Fox Film Twentieth Century Fox Film
12001 N. Central Expy. 10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75243 Los Angeles, CA 90064
(214) 392-0101 (310) 277-2211
Also try Films, Inc. at (312) 878-2600 (or ask your local theatre).
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 2 - History of the RHS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2a - What does RHS mean?
____________________________________________________________________________
The Rocky Horror Show. It is the play off of which the movie was based.
____________________________________________________________________________
2b - How did RHS start?
____________________________________________________________________________
The RHS was a play, written in six months by Richard O'Brien, with the
working title "They Came from Denton High." The title was changed to "The
Rock Hor-Roar Show", and eventually to "The Rocky Horror Show". It premiered
on June 18, 1973, at The Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London, England.
After a short while, it was moved from the 60-seat Upstairs theatre to a
converted movie house, and then to the King's Road Theatre, which seats 500.
It was named best musical of 1973 by the British drama critics.
____________________________________________________________________________
2c - Where did it go from there?
____________________________________________________________________________
After about ten months, Lou Adler (the owner at the time of the Roxy theatre
in Los Angeles, California, USA) saw the musical and brought it to The United
States - at the Roxy. A bit after that, in 1975, it was made into the movie.
As a promotion for the movie, it also had a (disastrous) run on Broadway.
____________________________________________________________________________
2d - What are the cast lists from the three original shows?
____________________________________________________________________________
For more information on each person, please refer to the WWW version of the
FAQ, which includes links to the IMDb.
London (The Theatre Upstairs) - June 18, 1973
Dr. Frank-N-Furter......................Tim Curry
Janet Weiss.............................Julie Covington
Brad Majors.............................Christopher Malcolm
Riff-Raff...............................Richard O'Brien
Magenta/Usherette.......................Patricia Quinn
Columbia................................Little Nell
Eddie and Dr. Evrett Scott..............Paddy O'Hagan
Rocky Horror............................Rayner Bourton
Narrator................................Jonathan Adams
Los Angeles (Roxy) 1974
Dr. Frank-N-Furter......................Tim Curry
Janet Weiss.............................Abigail Haness
Brad Majors.............................Bill Miller
Riff-Raff...............................Bruce Scott
Magenta and Usherette...................Jamie Donnelly
Columbia................................Boni Enten
Eddie and Dr. Scott.....................Meatloaf
Rocky Horror............................Kim Milford
Narrator................................Graham Jarvis
New York (Broadway) - March 10, 1975
Dr. Frank-N-Furter......................Tim Curry
Janet Weiss.............................Abigail Haness
Brad Majors.............................Bill Miller
Riff-Raff...............................Richard O'Brien
Magenta and Usherette...................Jamie Donnelly
Columbia................................Boni Enten
Eddie and Dr. Scott.....................Meatloaf
Rocky Horror............................Kim Milford
Narrator................................William Newman
____________________________________________________________________________
2e - What casts have existed throughout the years?
____________________________________________________________________________
Too many to mention. It's been going on pretty much continuously in England
since 1973, and hundreds of performances have surfaced around the world, many
of them producing interesting (and often quite good) cast recordings.
____________________________________________________________________________
2f - Where can I get recordings of RHS casts?
____________________________________________________________________________
The only ones still in wide-scale production are the Original London and the
Original Roxy (both with Tim Curry). Try your favorite music store for these.
As to any other recordings, just keep looking. Maybe someone is selling one
at a garage sale, perhaps one is piled with all the used records at a music
store. Many fans collect various sound recordings of Rocky, so ask around on
the net, or inquire with your local cast. These most likely won't be
originals, but they're something. For a sampler of various international
recordings, try the "Rocky Horror International" album from the 15th
Anniversary Box Set.
____________________________________________________________________________
2g - Is RHS still performed?
____________________________________________________________________________
Oh, yes! In England, it's performed regularly, and many casts will spring
up around the world for brief runs of the show.
____________________________________________________________________________
2h - How is the play different from the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
The best way to see how the movie differs from the play, of course, is to
either read the original script (see Section 11c) or go see the play. Here
are general descriptions of some of the significant and interesting
differences, inspired by Joe Blevins. Also rever to Section 3f to see what
changes were made to the songs for the movie.
* The opening sequence, "Science Fiction, Double Feature", is sung by an
"usherette" or "cigarette girl", usually performed by the same actor
playing the role of Magenta.
* The play does not begin with Ralph and Betty Hapschatt driving off, nor
are there any wedding guests. Rather, the sense of a wedding just having
taken place is established by Janet's initial dialogue ("Oh, Brad, wasn't
it wonderful...").
* During the first three songs, backup vocals are sung by "phantoms" who are
located in various sections of the theatre and audience. They also provide
various sound and lighting effects. These characters are sometimes played
by actors who perform as other characters later in the show.
* The Criminologist is merely a narrator. He has many more monologues,
several of which are much longer.
* The songs "Time Warp" and "Sweet Transvestite" are in the reverse order in
the original play, though later productions have adapted the movie
sequence, which paces and balances the whole story out better, anyway.
* The Transylvanians do not appear in the play. Brad and Janet (and, later,
Dr. Scott) are Frank's only guests.
* The character of Eddie is foreshadowed, rather humorously, early on.
* Frank's big "creation scene" speech is significantly different.
* Rocky can speak.
* Instead of emerging from a freezer, Eddie pops out of an old Coca-Cola
vending machine. As a tribute to this, the original idea for the movie was
to have him break through a wall of Coke bottles in the freezer.
* The roles of Eddie and Dr. Scott are usually performed by the same actor.
* There is no dinner scene.
* Nobody is turned to stone in the play. Instead, they are sprayed by Riff-
Raff with what looks to be a perfume bottle. They become drugged and pass
out. Magenta continues to sing the "you're a hot dog" line after Brad, Dr.
Scott, and Janet are sprayed, and so gets sprayed herself. Columbia also
gets sprayed, but receives a psychedelic effect instead of passing out.
* The usherette also sings the "Science Fiction" reprise.
____________________________________________________________________________
2i - Is there Audience Participation for RHS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Unfortunately, yes. Okay, so this FAQ is slightly biased. The author just
feels that the play should be left as the brilliant piece of art that it is,
and that the AP should remain at the theatres. But usually it's allowed (or
perhaps even encouraged) for you to yell your favorite obscenities at stage
productions.
However, the author also had the chance to finally see the RHS for the first
time recently, and isn't as against AP for the play as he used to be. The
actors were professional about it, and only responded to (or acknowledged) it
when it didn't distract from the play.
Audience Participation is a regular thing, however, in countries where RHS
runs continuously (i.e. England). In fact, in these places, the play is
usually more popular than the movie, and is the place to go to learn all the
new AP lines.
Variety is the spice of life.
____________________________________________________________________________
2j - How can I find out where RHS is playing in my area?
____________________________________________________________________________
Sometimes people will advertise on alt.cult-movies.rocky-horror. Just keep
your eyes and ears peeled wherever you go. Ask around at your local RHPS
production, and periodically check in the newspapers.
____________________________________________________________________________
2k - How can I get the rights for a production of RHS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Samuel French, Inc.
45 West 25th Street
New York, NY 10010
(212) 206-8990
The procedure is much the same as for any stage production (you must provide
information as to ticket prices, number of performances, seating capacity,
musical arrangements, and so on). Only professional theatre companies are
able to obtain the rights (no amateur productions).
============================================================================
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Section 3 - History of the RHPS
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3a - What does RHPS mean?
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Haven't we been over this already?
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3b - How did RHPS start?
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It was originally a musical - The Rocky Horror Show (see Section 2) - and
was made into a movie starting on October 21, 1974, with great help from Lou
Adler, who had been running the RHS in his Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles for
some time. Its world premier was in London on August 28, 1975. Its US
premier was in Hollywood on September 29, 1975. October 31 is generally
celebrated as Rocky's "birthday", for obvious reasons.
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3c - Where did it go from there?
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Nowhere. It bombed everywhere (expect for in Los Angeles, where a following
had already been created by the RHS at The Roxy). However, some attentive
cinema owners noticed that, while RHPS wasn't selling as many tickets as other
movies, they were selling the same tickets multiple times - that is, the same
people kept coming back. Twentieth Century Fox then re-released the movie for
midnight runs - cutting out Superheroes and SF/DF Reprise along the way. Its
first regular midnight run started in New York City on April 2, 1976. Soon,
people had started dancing and singing along with the music, and the call-
backs and casts were soon to follow.
RHPS hit its peak in the early 1980's. Many casts had live bands
performing, and the crowds were often sell-outs, or close to it. Since that
time, the newer generations have found other ways to alienate society, and
RHPS has become more "mainstream" (highlighted by the fact that it was shown
on television in prime-time). However, most everyone acknowledges the
importance that RHPS had - and still has - in giving the "outcasts" of society
a place to go, interact, and collectively realize exactly how fucked-up
mainstream society really is.
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3d - Where was RHPS filmed?
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RHPS was filmed in England primarily on a sound stage and in an old "castle"
(which was the site for over 200 horror films, and has since been restored
into a hotel). This castle is now the Oakley Court Hotel, located at Windsor
Rd / Water Oakley / Nr Windsor / Berks / SL4 5UR. You can call them at 01628
74141 or send them a fax at 01628 37011. They are very used to RHPS fans
visiting them.
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3e - What is the cast and crew list for the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
For more information on each person, please refer to the WWW version of the
FAQ, which includes links to the IMDb. The primary actors have bios in
Section 10 ('Where are they now?').
Dr. Frank-N-Furter......................Tim Curry
Janet Weiss.............................Susan Sarandon
Brad Majors.............................Barry Bostwick
Riff Raff...............................Richard O'Brien
Magenta and Lips (Trixie)...............Patricia Quinn
Columbia................................Little Nell
Dr. Everett V. Scott....................Jonathan Adams
Rocky Horror............................Peter Hinwood
Eddie...................................Meatloaf
Criminologist...........................Charles Gray
Ralph Hapschatt.........................Jeremy Newson
Betty Munroe............................Hilary Labow
Transylvanians..........................Perry Bedden
Christopher Biggins
Gaye Brown
Ishaq Bux
Stephen Calcutt
Hugh Cecil
Imogene Clair
Tony Cowan
Sadie Corre
Fran Fullenwider
Lindsay Ingram
Annabel Leventon
Anthony Milner
Pamela Obermeyer
Rufus
Tony Then
Kimi Wong
Henry Woolf
Bridesmaids.............................Koo Stark
Gina Barrie
Petra Leah
Written by..............................Richard O'Brien
Jim Sharman
Cinematography..........................Peter Suschitzky
Music...................................Richard O'Brien
Special Effects.........................Colin Chilvers
Production Design.......................Brian Thomson
Costume Design..........................Sue Blane
Gillian Dods
Richard Pointing
Film Editing............................Graeme Clifford
Produced by.............................Lou Adler (executive)
John Goldstone (associate)
Michael White
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3f - What is the song list for the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
* Science Fiction/Double Feature
* Dammit, Janet
* Over at the Frankenstein Place
* The Time Warp
* Sweet Transvestite
* Sword of Damocles
* I Can Make you a Man
* Hot Patootie- Bless My Soul
* I Can Make you a Man (reprise)
* Once In A While
* Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me
* Eddie
* Planet Schmanet, Janet
* Rose Tint My World
* I'm Going Home
* Super Heroes
* Science Fiction/Double Feature (reprise)
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3g - What changes to the songs were made for the movie?
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* OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE
In "Over at the Frankenstein Place", Brad should have a verse all to himself
(between Janet's and Riff Raff's) - it was never filmed. It goes a little
something like this:
BRAD: I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain;
Just the same, there has got to be
Something better here for you and me.
* SWORD OF DAMOCLES
"Sword of Damocles" had a few extra lines from the narrator/criminologist
that were in the shooting script (it hasn't been determined if they were ever
filmed.) The stage version is written out, with the shooting script version
in parentheses.
(Before Rocky's third verse)
NARR: Rocky Horror, you need peace of mind,
(Rocky Horror needed peace of mind.)
I want to tell you that you're doing fine.
(He didn't know he was doing just fine.)
You're the product of another time,
(He was the product of another time.)
So feeling low? Well, that's no crime.
(And as for feeling down - well that's not a crime.)
* CHARLES ATLAS SONG / I CAN MAKE YOU A MAN
The words for "Charles Atlas Song/I Can Make You A Man" had significant
changes made from the stage to the screen. The stage version is written out,
with movie changes in parentheses.
FRANK: A weakling, weighing ninety-eight pounds,
Got sand in his face when kicked to the ground.
(Will get sand...)
His girl split on him, and then, in the gym,
(And soon in the gym, with a determined chin,)
The sweat from his pores as he worked for his cause
(... works...)
Made him glisten and gleam; he was thin, but quite clean.
(Will make him...) (he'll be pink, and quite clean.)
He was in good shape, but the wrong shape.
(He'll be a strong man, but the wrong man.)
He ate nutritious, high protein, and swallowed raw eggs.
(He'll eat nutritious...) (... swallow...)
Tried to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs.
(Try to...)
Then a magazine advert with a new muscle plan
(Such an effort, if he only knew of my plan,)
Said in just seven days, I can make you a man.
(In just seven...)
He'd done pressups and chinups, cleaned and jerked, done the snatch.
(He'll do pressups, and chinups, do the snatch, clean, and jerk.)
Thought dynamic tension just must be a catch.
(He thinks dynamic tension must be hard work)
So he re-read the advert to see how it ran,
(Such strenuous living, I just don't understand,)
It said in just seven days, I can make you a man.
(In just seven...)
* ONCE IN A WHILE
Before Janet sings "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me", Brad should have a song
called "Once In a While", which plays intertwined with lines from Janet. The
song was filmed, but left out of the movie. While some of Janet's lines
during this are the same as in the final movie, they occur in a different
context, and so they're not the same as those in the final cut. After the
song, there are more lines that were left out of the movie. These, as well as
Janet's lines during the song, are much the same as those in the play. The
song is included as an "extra" on the SE Laserdisc, though it's not what's
printed here. It's a nice job of editing anyway.
JANET: (spoken) What's happening here? Where's Brad? Where's anybody?
BRAD: (sung) Once in a while, she don't want to call you,
Speaking on the telephone.
And once in your life, she won't want to know you;
You look around, the one you've found, she is gone.
JANET: (spoken) I'm engaged to Brad just the same as Betty Munroe was to
Ralph Hapschatt. But Frank's kisses overwhelmed me with an ecstasy
I've never dreamt of before. Hot, burning kisses.
BRAD: (sung) And that's all the time that it takes
For a heart to turn to stone;
The sweeter the wine, the harder to make the break,
You hear something about someone you thought you'd known.
JANET: (spoken) I could see Brad's face before me an my mind screamed No!
But my lips were hungry - too hungry.
BRAD: (sung) So baby, don't cry like there's no tomorrow,
After the night, there's a brand new day;
And there'll be no pain, and no more sorrow,
So wash your face and phone my place, it'll be okay.
JANET: (spoken) I wanted to be loved and loved completely. My body
throbbed excitedly. Oh, Brad, Brad my darling, how could I have
done this to you?
BRAD: (sung) And that's all the time that it takes
For a heart to beat again;
So give me a sign that a lover makes,
You look around, the one you've found is back again.
JANET: (spoken) If only we hadn't made this journey. If only the car
hadn't broken down. If only we were amongst friends.. or sane
persons.
* TOUCH-A TOUCH-A TOUCH ME
In the original, the words sung by Columbia and Magenta in the movie are
sung by Rocky. Additionally, at the end, Rocky sings the "Hot Patootie"
chorus while Janet is singing the "Touch Me" chorus.
* SUPERHEROES
The last song (aside from the closing credits) is "Superheroes." Brad and
Janet have verses in it that were used in the original version of the movie,
but have been left out of some later versions. It was not on the 1990 release
of the video, because the people at Fox claimed that they didn't have time to
finish it. The scene is included in the SE laserdisc, the current version of
the film being distributed, and will be on the new video release. (Note: the
last verse is in all versions)
(The castle has just taken off)
BRAD: (sung) I've done a lot, God knows I've tried
To find the truth; I've even lied.
But all I know is down inside I'm
Bleeding.
JANET: (sung) And Super Heroes come to feast,
To taste the flesh not yet deceased.
And all I know is still the beast is
Feeding.
BACK: (lots of ooo-oooh's and aaa-aaah's)
CRIM: (spoken) And crawling on the planet's face,
Some insects called the human race.
Lost in time, and lost in space.
And meaning.
BACK: (sung) Meaning.
(Note: this last verse is in all versions)
* SCIENCE FICTION / DOUBLE FEATURE (REPRISE)
This song was cut from some versions of the movie. It plays over the
closing credits.
RO'B: Science fiction, double feature,
Frank has built and lost his creature;
Darkness has conquered Brad and Janet,
The servants gone to a distant planet.
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
At the late night double feature picture show;
I want to go - oh, oh,
To the late night double feature picture show.
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3h - What different versions of the movie exist?
____________________________________________________________________________
At last check, there was the original release of the film, the re-release of
the film, the re-re-release of the film, the Japanese video (with subtitles),
the UK mono video, two versions of the UK stereo video, the Australian video,
the US video, the laserdisc, the US video re-release, the special edition
laserdisc, and the US video re-re-release.
From version to version, different changes have been made to the soundtrack,
the songs "Superheroes" and "Science Fiction/Double Feature (reprise)" have
been added and removed, and, on the video and laserdisc versions, documentary
footage and a "Time Warp" video have been added sometimes. The SE Laserdisc
also has oodles of extras, including a version of "Once In A While", as does
the most recent US video release. All of these different versions can be
quite annoying (and expensive) for completists who want every version of
everything.
Original film (1975) and Japanese video (19??):
* Has original soundtrack
* Has Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
Re-release of the film (1976):
* Has original soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Does not have Science Fiction reprise
Re-re-release of the film (1990):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Has Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
UK mono video (19??):
* Has original soundtrack
* Has Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Does not have documentary footage
* Does not have Time Warp video
UK stereo video (19??):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Does not have Science Fiction reprise
* Has documentary footage
* Has Time Warp video
US video (CBS/FOX video 1424; released November 8th, 1990; now out of print):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Has documentary footage
* Has Time Warp video
* Video box has raised Lips/Logo on front, cassette is black and red
Laserdisc (1990):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Does not have documentary footage
* Has Time Warp video
UK stereo video (1991):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Has documentary footage
* Does not have Time Warp video
Australian video (1991):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Has Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Does not have documentary footage
* Video box does not have raised Lips/Logo on front, cassette is black
US video re-release (FOX video 1974; released November 1992):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Does not have Superheroes
* Has Science Fiction reprise
* Does not have documentary footage
* Does not have Time Warp video
* Video box does not have raised Lips/Logo on front, cassette is black
Laserdisc Special Edition (1995):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Has a new audience participation track
* Has Once In a While on a separate disc
* Has Superheroes on a separate disc
* Has three alternate ending credits
* THX transfer with a 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio (tho improperly done)
* Has special disc with various outtakes, trailers, and the like
* Includes 24K CD of the soundtrack, and the book Creatures II
US video re-re-release (1998?):
* Has reworked soundtrack
* Has Once In a While (unsure if in proper location)
* Has Superheroes (unsure if in proper location)
* Has laserdisc SE footage of various outtakes, trailers, and the like
____________________________________________________________________________
3i - What's the difference between the stereo and mono versions?
____________________________________________________________________________
When Fox released the movie on video, rather than working from the original
mono soundtrack, they decided to use the stereo release of the music
soundtrack and to screw with various other things along the way. This is a
partial list of the changes to the songs themselves (changes to everything
else are primarily just which channel the sound comes out of). Thanks to
Kevin J. Boycik for giving me a more-than-complete list to work off of.
* SCIENCE FICTION / DOUBLE FEATURE
Mono: Richard's voice is predominant over the music
Stereo: The keyboard and other various instruments can be heard much better.
Mixed nicer and more evenly.
* DAMMIT, JANET
Mono: The piano can be heard more.
Stereo: More even mix of instruments.
Richard's, Pat's, and Nell's backing vocals sound like completely different
takes on the different versions.
* OVER AT THE FRANKENSTEIN PLACE
The backing chorus are completely different takes in the different versions.
The stereo mix is much more in tune. Some claim they can hear Richard, Pat, &
Nell in the background of the mono.
* THE TIME WARP
Mono: Magenta hisses and moans a lot throughout. Riff's voice dominates in
the chorus.
Stereo: Magenta's noises are much more subdued and sometimes nonexistent.
Most noticeable is when Riff says "I've got to" in the first verse. For the
most part, the chorus is mixed differently.
As the music for the stereo release of the film was taken from the
soundtrack, and as Columbia's tap-dance isn't in the soundtrack, some mixing
between the versions had to be done on this song. After Columbia finishes her
tap-dance, the first part of the chorus is from the mono version, and Riff's
voice is prominent (unlike it is in the other choruses of the stereo version).
When it cuts to the Criminologist, it's back to the stereo version.
Additionally, as Columbia's tap-dance is not on the stereo master, right
before she jumps off the jukebox the music sounds as if it's getting ready to
end the song, but then cuts to Columbia screaming "yeeeaaawwww".
Finally, Magenta's verse is completely different on the soundtrack and so
the mono master had to be used for her verse. Right after Riff sings "Like
you're under sedation" it goes back to stereo and there is a noticeable
difference in the balance of the music.
* SWEET TRANSVESTITE
Mono: The lead vocal is much louder than the music. During the last
"Transexual, Transylvania", only Riff, Magenta, and Columbia can be heard
singing. The lead guitar is a bit subdued.
Stereo: There is a more even mix of vocals and music. Frank's voice can be
heard singing the last "Transexual, Transylvania". A bit of Janet's scream
is cut off as the music starts.
Also, at the beginning, the beats in time with Frank's heel start at
different times in the different versions.
* TOUCH-A, TOUCH-A, TOUCH ME
Mono: There is an echo in Janet's voice during this song, as she's singing in
a tiled laboratory. There is much laughter when it cuts to Magenta and
Columbia in the second verse.
Stereo: There is no echo to Janet's voice. None of the sound effects for
Magenta and Columbia are in the second verse. Additionally, during "Then if
anything grows" a string section can be hear that is nonexistent in the
mono.
During the last run of "Creatures of the Night", Frank's, Rocky's, and
Janet's lines are completely different in the stereo version. Rocky's and
Janet's are not in synch at all.
* EDDIE'S TEDDY
Mono: Dr. Scott's voice is more dominant during the chorus. Brad's voice is
dominant during the end "wo-ho-ho" and "hey-hey-hey".
Stereo: The voices are all mixed more evenly. The piano during Columbia's
verse is louder.
* FLOOR SHOW
Rocky's verse is completely different, though both versions are in synch.
At the end of Janet's verse, the word 'landed' is sung completely different
and doesn't even come close to matching her lips in the stereo version.
* WILD AND UNTAMED THING
Mono: The voices are all mixed evenly. Because of this, Columbia's singing
is specifically noticeable. At the end when Riff sings "you are now my
prisoner", the word 'prisoner' sounds more spoken than sung.
Stereo: Frank's voice is prominent and drowns out any of the specific voices
that can be heard in the mono. 'Prisoner' is sung.
* I'M GOING HOME
Mono: Columbia can be heard singing "oh, my, my" when it cuts to her.
Magenta can be heard yawning.
Stereo: "Oh, my, my" is mixed evenly. Magenta can only be seen yawning.
Frank's line "Everywhere...it's been the same" is different in the different
versions.
* SUPERHEROES
In most mono versions and some stereo versions, Brad's and Janet's verses
are hardly noticeable (if at all). See subsection 3f for more information on
this. These are the mono/stereo differences for these versions.
Mono: The cut from the castle taking off to Dr. Scott lying on the ground is
very smooth and not noticeable, mostly because music is played as the castle
is taking off.
Stereo: The cut is noticeable because there is no music while the castle is
taking off. When the song comes in it just sounds like a bad edit or a skip
(which is what it is).
* SCIENCE FICTION / DOUBLE FEATURE: REPRISE
Completely different vocal takes on the different versions.
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3j - Why are there so many different versions?
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There are several reasons (aside from the fact that those at TCF are
boneheads). The primary reasoning behind removing Superheroes and Science
Fiction Reprise is that they were felt to be too much of a "downer" for the US
cult audience. The European version was never changed, however, and so amoung
the various videos and films made for various audiences, the scenes are
sometimes there and sometimes not. Fortunately, those at TCF seem to have
wised up lately, so most every version released nowadays has the scenes.
As to the different soundtracks, the main reason is that Lou Adler likes the
reworked stereo soundtrack better. Even though die-hard fans of the movie
have been practically begging TCF to release a version with the original mono
soundtrack, they haven't listened. This has to do with marketing. There are
(relatively) few people out there who actually know about and appreciate the
original soundtrack, and, quite frankly, when run through a heavy-duty home
entertainment system, the reworked soundtrack /does/ sound better from a
purely aesthetic standpoint. People who pay thousands of dollars for
laserdisc players (and amplifiers, speakers, etc.) want to be able to get the
most from their systems, and a "remastered multi-channel" soundtrack is more
likely to sell.
It is very doubtful that there will ever be another release of the film (in
any format) with the original soundtrack.
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Section 4 - Attending the RHPS
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4a - Are all the shows as good as the one I just saw?
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Unfortunately, no. Every theatre is different, every cast within the
theatres is different, and every show - even of the same cast - is different.
And, because of this, not all shows are always up to par. However, if you
like a show, tell *everybody*. Tell the cast members what you liked about it
so that they can do more of it in the future. Tell the theatre managers that
you enjoyed the show so that they treat the casts better, which then
encourages better shows. Tell your friend and acquaintances so that they get
a better audience turnout, which will only serve to have better shows. The
quality of RHPS shows greatly depends on the audience members, so you should
do what you can to help.
____________________________________________________________________________
4b - Are all the shows as bad as the one I just saw?
____________________________________________________________________________
Fortunately, no. As the previous answer said, everywhere is different.
Sometimes casts can be too offensive or annoying. If this is the case,
perhaps you should address this issue with the cast members - whatever you do,
*don't* complain to the theatres. Theatre managers are generally very nervous
about RHPS, and will shut down a show without thinking twice (or once, for
that matter). If a cast is generally a good one, its members will listen to
your concerns and, hopefully, work to remedy the problem.
However, sometimes casts are just plain obnoxious. These casts are usually
on their way out, anyway. Don't let the performance of an obnoxious cast
deter your appreciation for RHPS. Try a different theatre.
If your problem with the cast was its acting, well... not everyone out there
is a thespian. The most important thing a cast can do is have fun and make
sure that the audience has fun as well. While good acting is definitely a
plus, if you were severely distracted by especially bad acting, the problem
most likely was with the cast's attitude towards the show. Again, talk to
them. Maybe you were there on a bad night. Maybe there were outside
variables that the cast couldn't help. By all means, give the show a second
chance.
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4c - What should I take to a showing of RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Yourself.
Plenty of friends (optional).
A sense of humour and an expectation of fun (required).
Many people, largely perceived to be virgins, have taken it upon themselves
to bring weird items, such as shaving cream, spaghetti, rocks, Toyota Tercels,
etc. While this may be allowed by the theatre, it will unfailingly cause the
majority of the crowd to consider the perpetrator (rightly) an idiot.
Thinking of a new prop to use is fine; throwing something just for the sake of
throwing something is idiotic.
Here is a semi-complete listing of the more popular items:
* Rice
* Newspaper (preferably The Cleveland Plain Dealer)
* Water Guns
* Lighter/Matches/Flashlight/Flame-Thrower/Whatever
* Noise Makers (Groggers)
* Rubber Gloves
* Confetti (or torn-up newspaper)
* Toilet Paper (preferably Scott brand)
* Toast
* Bells (or keys)
* Hot Dogs
* Playing Cards
There are others, but this should get you started. It's up to you to figure
out when to use these. There's a general rule most people seem to follow: "If
you are hit in the face with a hot dog chunk, then now must be the time to
throw hot dogs!" Unfortunately, this rule isn't foolproof, because there are
always the immature idiots who get off from throwing anything, anytime.
____________________________________________________________________________
4d - What should I wear to a showing of RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Nothing - or at least as little as possible. Well, lots of black is usually
good. As is lingerie. As are fishnets. Basically, the weirder the better.
You'll feel strange leaving the house (or office), but once you get within a
hundred yards or so of the theatre, you should fit right in.
This section is, of course, for the people who are part-timers. Most
veteran Rocky-goers dress however they want to usually in normal society, and
don't give a flying fuck WHAT other people think. Societal norms are so much
fun.
____________________________________________________________________________
4e - What should I expect at a showing of RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
Expect the unexpected. Okay, that was a predictable answer. Sorry.
Expect to possibly get your clothes stained. Expect to get hit on. Expect
to see nakedness (or something close to it). Expect to possibly be somewhat
offended. Don't be upset if not all of this happens, though - I make no
guarantees.
For the most part, expect that you'll have a good time. Sure, there's
raunchiness, and sure, you might not like the person breathing heavily on you,
but for the most part, Rocky-goers have respect for each other, and won't
overstep any limits you set. Unless, of course, those limits are ridiculously
prudish, in which case you should re-evaluate whether you should be at RHPS in
the first place.
____________________________________________________________________________
4f - What's with this Audience Participation thing?
____________________________________________________________________________
It's a main part of RHPS. The audience "calls-back" lines to the screen.
These are often called "call-backs" or "lines." Also, in various parts of the
movie, the audience members throw things all over the place and make a big
mess. Lots o' fun. For more on this, see subsection 4c.
____________________________________________________________________________
4g - What's a virgin?
____________________________________________________________________________
A virgin is someone who has never seen RHPS before in the theatre. Watching
it on video doesn't count; that's just masturbation. It may be fun, and it
may get you off, but it's not a substitute for the real thing.
____________________________________________________________________________
4h - Should I worry that I'll be embarrassed if I'm a virgin?
____________________________________________________________________________
Probably.
Most places have something called a "virgin sacrifice." The sacrifice can
be something as tame as singing to the virgins to something as raunchy as...
well, let your mind wander. The majority of them are just in good fun and
aren't out to really hurt anyone. The cast wants you to return for more and
more showings - they're not going to piss you off so that you never go back.
You can try to hide, but if anyone at all in the theatre knows you, they will
betray you. Count on it. Don't worry about it and let them have their fun.
Just close your eyes and think of England.
A "beginner's guide" of sorts for virgins is available at
http://www.rockyhorror.com/virgknow.html
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4i - Should I worry that I don't know many of the call-backs?
____________________________________________________________________________
No. This is a major misconception about RHPS. Nobody is going to think any
less of you if you just sit back and have a good time. Before you know it,
you'll know more than you ever really wanted to. Just relax and enjoy
yourself (or the people around you, if all parties involved are in agreeance
on this).
____________________________________________________________________________
4j - Should I locate an audience participation script and memorize it?
____________________________________________________________________________
A resounding NO!
You could, but you'd be really pathetic if you did. Just go and listen.
Most people start picking up on a lot of them by their third show, and they
start making their own up a few shows later. The scripts are made so that the
veterans can exchange lines from different cities and to find out who says
what, etc. Most of the more popular ones in circulation are pretty pathetic
themselves, anyway. If you feel you absolutely must have a script,
information on where to get one is in subsection 11f.
____________________________________________________________________________
4k - What should I do before the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
Get a bit of sleep. Drink a bit of coffee. Take a bit of drugs. Dress in
a bit of lingerie. Collect a bit of props. Review a bit of call-backs. Not
necessarily in that order.
____________________________________________________________________________
4l - What should I do during the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
Have fun. What you do is up to you. You can sit back and enjoy the
spectacle, you can be active and a part of the spectacle, or whatever else you
want to do (as long as you don't get caught).
____________________________________________________________________________
4m - What should I do after the movie?
____________________________________________________________________________
Drink a bit of coffee. Take a bit of drugs. Take off a bit of lingerie.
...etc.
Many casts have cast parties, especially after "special" shows (i.e.
Hallowe'en, end-of-term, etc.), and they usually don't mind adoring slobbering
fans tagging along. Expect to find anything and everything you could possibly
imagine to please you at these parties.
Most people, though, either can't afford to party like this after every show
(financially, physically, and/or psychologically), so they usually take a trip
to your friendly 24-hour dining establishments (Denny's, Big Boy, truck stops,
etc.). If you need something to do while at one of these fine restaurants,
might I suggest "1001 Ways to get Kicked Out of a 24-Hour Diner", available
through the FAQ WWW site.
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 5 - RHPS Casts
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5a - What's an RHPS cast?
____________________________________________________________________________
An RHPS cast is a bit of plaster or fiberglass placed around a limb that has
been broken during a showing. Okay. Bad joke. I apologize.
An RHPS cast is a group of people (?) who act out the show.
____________________________________________________________________________
5b - I thought RHPS was a movie; why are there casts?
____________________________________________________________________________
RHPS consists of basically three parts: the filmed image, the audience
participation, and the live action. The cast is one of the major reasons to
see the show, and most casts go to great pains and expense to put on a good
performance. As Richard O'Brien said, "Three out of three ain't bad."
____________________________________________________________________________
5c - Do cast members get paid?
____________________________________________________________________________
Rarely. *Very* rarely.
____________________________________________________________________________
5d - How do they afford all those great costumes and props?
____________________________________________________________________________
They don't. Most hard-core Rocky-ites are dead broke, if not hugely in
debt. For what is perhaps the worst horror-story of all time, talk to Cosmo
from Cincinnati about The Wall That Put Everyone In Debt And Then Subsequently
Crushed A Cast Member (okay, so that's probably not the official title; talk
to him about it).
Basically, the costumes and props are made by scrimping, saving, and taking
advantage of credit cards. Pity the poor fools who get stuck doing it all.
____________________________________________________________________________
5e - How do they make all those great costumes?
____________________________________________________________________________
<under construction>
____________________________________________________________________________
5f - How do they make all those great props?
____________________________________________________________________________
<under construction>
____________________________________________________________________________
5g - Why do people perform in casts?
____________________________________________________________________________
Do you want a simple answer, or a psychological probe into the minds of cast
members?
Simple Answer - It's fun.
Probe - I'm not a psychologist, but I've found that the majority of people do
it for the simple answer. However, some are trying to get attention; others
are confused about their sexuality, and do the show so they can say they're
"only performing"; some are struggling actors; a few are trying to annoy their
relatives; et cetera. For the most part, though, the personality disorders
are what you'd find in any group of people, and shouldn't be restricted to
Rocky-folk. Again, I encourage you to refer to the simple answer.
____________________________________________________________________________
5h - What casts have existed throughout the years?
____________________________________________________________________________
<under construction>
____________________________________________________________________________
5i - How can I join a cast?
____________________________________________________________________________
Talk to someone from the cast that you want to join. Usually they're quite
rushed and stressed immediately before or after a show, so it's best to
approach them at a more relaxed moment. If you try to talk to them when
they're simultaneously trying to find all the cast members for the night,
bringing in props and costumes, working out problems with management, setting
up a pre-show, et cetera, odds are you might not get the most courteous reply.
If you have some time to spare after the show, tag along to wherever the
cast goes (usually a 24-hour restaurant) and talk to someone there. This will
help you get to know everyone anyway.
Sometimes casts actually advertise for members, and offer cast applications.
If this is the case, odds are that's how you would go about joining the cast.
____________________________________________________________________________
5j - How can I start a cast?
____________________________________________________________________________
Get some friends together and learn the parts.
____________________________________________________________________________
5k - How can I get a theatre to allow my cast to perform?
____________________________________________________________________________
If RHPS is not playing in your area, talk to various theatres and find out
why not. If it's not playing for a specific reason, try to remedy that
reason. Many cities have showings periodically throughout the year, so you
could try asking them if you can perform and then heavily recruiting audience
members to show them that the cast *does* make a difference.
The best thing you can do to show the theatre that there's an interest in
the community is to get a petition signed. Five-hundred signatures all from
the same place (i.e. school, club, etc.) aren't going to cut it, though. Get
thousands of signatures from all over. Try local clubs, coffeehouses, and the
like.
Whatever you do, be *nice* to the theatre managers. They don't really lose
anything if they don't have the show, and usually they could do without the
hassle of having to clean up, pay workers for staying late, etc. Offer to
help out as much as you can. Stay after the show to clean up. Try to stay
out of the way when you're not wanted. Advertise the show for free.
Eventually, if the managers see that you attract audiences and are friendly
and courteous, they'll be nice to you. Moreso than if you're obnoxious to
audience and rude to the managers, anyway.
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 6 - Errors and Trivia
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6a - What movies are alluded to in RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
This is a relatively new section, and was written on-the-fly because I felt
I should add a new section or two. If you have any additions, changes, or
whatnot, please send feedback (though please check with your local laws
regarding the transmittal of whatnot through email).
* BAND OF OUTSIDERS (aka BANDE APARTE)
Jim Sharman, on the Laserdisc SE interview, said that the "Time Warp" dance
scene was a nod to a dance contest scene in this movie.
* DR. STRANGELOVE
Dr. Scott is an ex-Nazi scientist trying to make it in the U.S. government.
Additionally, he has a limb that he can't control (his leg at the end), and
accidentally slips back into speaking in German once or twice (during the
dinner scene).
* DRACULA
This one is a bit more subtle. In the old Dracula movies, the vampire would
bite the necks of the women, symbolizing a sexual encounter. Afterwards, the
women would be "seduced" and under the vampire's spell. RHPS takes this a bit
more literally, and has Frank actually have sex with Brad and Janet, after
which (with a little help from the Medusa switch) they are under Frank's
spell, and even emulate him in the floor show. Of course, if you're looking
for obvious references, there's the fact that they're from Transylvania, and
Magenta has an eastern European accent.
* FRANKENSTEIN
This one is obvious. Dr. Frank-N-Furter. A muscle-bound creation that
doesn't speak very well and that is afraid of fire. Using someone else's
brain. Magenta's "Bride of" hair at the end. 'Nuff said.
* KING KONG
This is another obvious one, with Rocky carrying Frank up the RKO tower at
the end.
* NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
Eddie's finger tattoos are like those of Robert Mitchum's character.
* SUNSET BOULEVARD
The scene of Frank floating face-down in the pool is a strong reference.
* THE WIZARD OF OZ
The allusions to this were originally going to be much stronger, what with
the film starting out in black & white and going to colour during Frank's
entrance (read the shooting script from the FTP site for more information),
but the associations are still strong. Most of the wedding guests from the
beginning show up later as Transylvanians, to give a Wizard-esque "alternate
reality" feel. Additionally, the minister at the wedding is played by Tim
Curry, and the church caretakers are Richard O'Brien, Pat Quinn, and Little
Nell. Some theorize that they are not the same characters, but I say that
they are, because of the markings on the Criminologist's slides. I think the
wedding guests are supposed to be different characters, though.
* ESTHER WILLIAMS MUSICALS
The "Don't Dream It, Be It" number parodies this genre
* PRACTICALLY EVERY HORROR MOVIE EVER MADE
As RHPS is a satire, it uses numerous "classic" horror-movie devices. All
of this is purely intentional, such as the fact that there just happens to be
an old castle in rural Ohio, or that Dr. Scott just happens to be Brad and
Janet's ex-tutor that they just happened to be going to visit and who just
happens to work for the government and who just happens to be Eddie's uncle
and who just happens to discover that Frank and Company just happen to be
outer-space aliens. The old "Oh, well, that explains everything then" trick.
That sort of thing.
____________________________________________________________________________
6b - What's with these errors in the editing?
____________________________________________________________________________
There really aren't too many more errors in editing than there are in most
other films, it's just that since RHPS has been viewed so many times, they're
more obvious. Just to give a couple of examples, Die Hard II is supposed to
take place in Washington, D.C., yet the telephones say Pacific Bell on them;
also, Ash does not have his shotgun with him during the pit scene in Army of
Darkness, yet he starts shooting people with it when he comes out (of course,
this could have been intentional). There are plenty more. Ask around on
alt.cult-movies or some such newsgroup if you're truly interested.
Here's a list of a few from RHPS, in chronological order. If you have any
more, please send feedback.
* Ralph's mother (a brunette woman) and father (a bald man with a white
tuxedo) run up to be in the wedding picture twice.
* The chalk heart that Brad draws on the church changes shape in different
shots.
* Janet's purse in Dammit, Janet moves after she puts it on the ground.
* The Transylvanian with the Hors D'oeuvres during Time Warp puts it down in
one shot, and in another shot suddenly has it again.
* The windshield wipers on Brad's car are out of sync in different shots.
* Columbia's hat is on the ground immediately before her tap-dance, but when
she starts dancing, it's on her head.
* When Janet faints at the beginning of Sweet Transvestite, a different hand
is raised to her head in different shots. Also, she continues to scream
even after she has supposedly fainted.
* The cape on the throne changes positions during Sweet Transvestite
* Brad's shirt is unbuttoned in one shot, and then buttoned again when
Magenta is undressing him.
* During the creation scene, after Frank finishes mixing the colors in the
tank, a shot of Riff at the monitor shows a reflection of Frank with his
arms still raised.
* The position of Rocky's arms and the types of moves he's doing change in
different shots during Charles Atlas Song.
* Eddie's bracers disappear at one point while he is rolling around on the
floor with Columbia.
* There is blood in the freezer before Frank attacks Eddie with the pick.
* While he's activating the magnet, Frank starts to raise his left leg, but
when the camera shot changes, his right leg is lifted.
* The first shot of Dr. Scott going up the stairs shows a piece of carpet
turned over by the wire pulling the wheelchair. Many people also think
that the second shot is a re-take of the first, but if you look, the
paintings and such on the walls are different.
* While Rocky is proposing a toast to Janet, Riff's hand can be seen pulling
the napkin out of Dr. Scott's glass, yet he pulls it out again a few
moments later. Right after Frank's toast, the napkin is back in the glass,
only to be gone again a bit later.
* Riff serves Brad a slice of Eddie in a close-up of Brad, and then again in
a wide shot - yet Brad only ends up with one slice on his plate.
* In Planet Schmanet, Janet, Frank pulls down Janet's bra strap, but it's
back in place in the next shot.
* The tattoo on Frank's arm is washed off in the pool during the floor show,
reappears for the last bit of the floor show, is washed off again at the
end of the floor show, and is on again at the end of I'm Going Home.
* Brad and Janet are helping Dr. Scott out of the castle without a
wheelchair, but Dr. Scott is laying on a broken wheelchair (or is it a
bicycle?) during Superheroes.
____________________________________________________________________________
6c - What's with all the discontinuity?
____________________________________________________________________________
Other similar trivia information is located in sections 6d, 6e, 6f, and 6g.
Well, since RHPS is a send-up of the old B-movies, it could be argued that
this was intentional, as the old movies rarely paid too much attention to such
trivialities as plot continuity. Regardless of the reason, many things seem to
happen that are seemingly impossible (or at least improbable). Here are some
of them, and various explanations to go with them.
* LATE NOVEMBER EVENING?
The Criminologist says that this all occurs on a "late November evening,"
yet Richard Nixon's resignation speech is on the radio in the car. Nixon
resigned in August. So what's the deal? Was the radio doing a re-broadcast?
Did Brad and Janet go through a Time Warp? If it was Nixon's original speech,
why were Brad and Janet talking, rather than listening to it like good clean-
cut American citizens? Also, what were the wedding guests doing wearing white
for an autumn wedding? And what's with the copy of The Plain Dealer? Its date
doesn't seem to match anything. Many explanations could be theorized about,
and any number of arguments could be made, but my personal opinion is that
nobody really cared. For you Americans, do you know what was the last year
that Margaret Thatcher served? These were Brits making a film set in the
United States, and I doubt too much research or attention was placed on what
the Criminologist said compared to what was on the radio. Most likely, the
speech was on there to give a sense of the period, and the paper to give a
sense of the location - i.e. "Apple-Pie Midwest America". Possibly, the speech
was also included to give a "feeling of foreboding."
* WHAT TIME OF THE NIGHT?
This is often-times a much debated topic, yet the explanation seems simple.
The concern is mainly that according to the clock during The Time Warp, it was
midnight when Brad and Janet arrived, yet they had dinner a few hours later,
and when they left, it was still dark out. This is compounded by the fact that
the clock chimes more than twelve times. Many various explanations have been
given. Some claim that they arrived earlier than midnight, others say that
time had no meaning in the castle. Nobody seems to be able to accept the idea
that perhaps Transylvanians don't keep the same dinner schedules as
Earthlings. Well, here's the chronology for you, so shut up about it already.
The wedding was in the early afternoon. By the time Brad and Janet stopped
dancing and singing, and got around to changing clothes, announcing their
plans to their parents (well, Janet's parents anyway; Brad was born an
orphan), getting a bite to eat (White Castle perhaps?), and heading off to see
Dr. Scott, it was well into the evening, perhaps around 8:00 or 9:00 or so.
When the car broke down around 10:30, they had to walk back several miles in
the dark and the rain, so it took a good hour and a half for them to arrive at
the castle. Everything between their arrival to the end of the Creation Scene
is in "real-time", and so Rocky ends up being born between midnight and 12:30.
After a bit of sleep (perhaps an hour), Frank seduces both Brad and Janet.
Since Frank is the wonderful lover that he is, this takes up a bit of time,
putting Janet's seduction of Rocky well past 4:00. Dinner happens around 5:00,
after which the cast is Medusa-ed, and Frank prepares for the floor show. The
floor show begins at around 7:30, making Rocky seven hours old, and by the
time the castle blasts off, it's just around dawn (it is November in midwest
America; it takes a while for daylight to happen).
So there you have it. It all fits, and it all makes sense, so don't try to
tell me anything different. Unless, of course, it's a good theory.
* WHAT, EXACTLY, IS THE FLOORPLAN OF THE CASTLE?
There isn't one. While some scenes were shot on location at was is now the
Oakley Court Hotel (see Section 3d for the address), much of the interior was
a sound-stage reconstruction. The castle as it's portrayed in the movie
doesn't exist. It is practically impossible for the elevator to be where it is
in the lab considering the size of the house, and for the hole in the wall to
be where it is. You'll also note that there are no doors into the lab. So how
do the Transylvanians get there before Brad and Janet? Perhaps they all made a
quick trip in the elevator, perhaps they all teleported up there, or perhaps
they used Riff and Magenta's secret entrance that was originally supposed to
be there. This also was supposed to be the way in which Dr. Scott entered the
lab, but nobody really noticed that they forgot to remedy this until it was
being filmed. Richard asked Brian how Dr. Scott was going to enter, and Brian
answered, as a joke, "We'll just push him through the wall."
____________________________________________________________________________
6d - What are the most frequently asked trivia questions?
____________________________________________________________________________
Other similar trivia information is located in sections 6c, 6e, 6f, and 6g.
* WHOSE LIPS ARE THOSE?
Anyone who has read a.c-m.r-h for more than a week should be sick to death
of this question.
The long answer is that, in the original play, The Usherette (who is the
same actress who plays Magenta; sort of a Wizard of Oz type of thing) sings
it. The Usherette is *not* Magenta; it is a different character, just the
same as Dr. Scott and Eddie are different characters (they are also portrayed
by the same actor in the play). For the movie, however, there was no
Usherette, and so Richard O'Brien sang the song (*not* Riff Raff). As a
tribute to The Usherette - and to the original Usherette specifically -
Patricia Quinn's lips mouth the words (though not terribly accurately).
Though, since the main reason Pat took the part in the play in the first place
was so that she could sing that song, when she found out that Richard would be
singing it for the movie, she was less than pleased. Her exact words, as a
matter of fact, were, "You bastard!"
The short answer is that they belong to Patricia Quinn.
* WHAT DOES 'RKO' STAND FOR?
It does *not* stand for Richard Keith O'Brien, though that could be a
double-meaning in Science Fiction / Double Feature. RKO stands for Radio-
Keith-Orpheum, which was a movie company that produced many of the movies of
the genre that RHPS is based on.
The following is a rather interesting history of RKO, written by Brian Sutin
(who has actually never seen RHPS), and forwarded to me by Greg Ubben.
Thanks, guys!
In the late twenties there was a company incorporated as Robertson-Cole
Productions, but was called FBO, Film Booking Offices, and was owned by Joseph
P. Kennedy. In a rather famous Wall Street maneuver, he staged a takeover of
a (vaudeville) theater chain called Keith-Albee-Orpheum. He ousted the owners
and merged the two companies, calling the result Radio-Keith-Orpheum, where
Radio- was from Sarnoff's Radio Corporation of America. Joe later became head
of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), and had several rather famous
sons (John F., etc.). RKO was later purchased by Lucille Ball, who started
there as a bit actress, changed the name to Desilu Productions, and made it
into a TV studio.
* WHAT DOES 4711 MEAN?
The number '4711' which is tattooed on Frank's leg is the name of a European
purfume which was popular among gay men in the 1970's. It is rather
inexpensive and still available.
* WHERE IS DENTON?
There are eighteen (count 'em) Dentons in the US - Arkansas, Georgia,
Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana (two),
Nebraska, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and
Texas (two). There is also a Denton which is a suburb of Machester, England.
Denton is supposed to be "Anytown, USA." The popular belief is that the
Denton in the movie is located in Ohio, which has been all but proven to be
true with a piece in the Rocky Horror Scrapbook that shows Janet's address as
10 Main Street, Denton, Ohio. This can't be used as absolute proof, however,
as the scrapbook was a limited edition piece that came out after the movie,
and was mainly put together by Brian Thompson. More likely than not, when the
name "Denton" was initially used, nobody gave any consideration as to what
state it was in.
* HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT RHPS BEARS A RESEMBLANCE TO <insert movie>?
Yes, we have. Rocky uses images and concepts from The Wizard of Oz,
Frankenstein, Dracula, King Kong, and practically every other old movie you
can think of. This is what we in the movie industry call "satire". Refer to
Section 6a for more on this.
* I SAW <such-and-such-line> IN A TV SHOW (other movie, etc.);
IS THIS AN RHPS REFERENCE?
Most likely not. Many lines in Rocky were used because they were popularly
used lines. For example, the line "to absent friends" was used long before
RHPS, and has been used since. Most likely, those that occurred afterward
were not RHPS references, and it's almost certain that those that occurred
before RHPS were not references, either.
* HEY! THOSE PEOPLE AT THE WEDDING LOOK FAMILIAR! WHO ARE THEY?
Many of the actors who portray the guests also portray Transylvanians. The
cute cameraman is Perry Bedden (the best Transie of them all). Tim Curry is
the minister. Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, and Little Nell are the church
workers. It has not been determined whether these people are supposed to *be*
Frank et all in disguise, or if it's merely a Wizard of Oz type of thing. My
own personal theory is that the wedding guests are just an Oz type of thing,
but that it really is Frank and Company running the church. They could have
very well sabotaged Brad's car to break down. This makes sense when put
against Frank's mock-surprise "well how 'bout that?" line in Sweet
Transvestite.
* WHAT EXACTLY *DOES* FRANK SAY WHEN THE SHEET IS LIFTED OFF OF THE TANK?
Okay. Let's settle this once and for all. At the Twentieth Anniversary
Convention in Los Angeles in October 1995, I had the chance to ask Richard
whatever I wanted to. I chose, in my infinite wisdom, to ask him this
question. He said, without a doubt, that Frank says "Hoopla!"
So there.
____________________________________________________________________________
6e - Who is...?
____________________________________________________________________________
Other similar trivia information is located in sections 6c, 6d, 6f, and 6g.
* CHARLES ATLAS
Rocky Horror gets the "Charles Atlas Seal of Approval", and the song "I Can
Make You A Man" is also referred to as the "Charles Atlas Song". The original
version of the song (see section 3f) made references to a "magazine advert".
Charles Atlas is the name behind a muscle-building program frequently
advertized in comic books. It was popular in the 50's and promised to "make
you a new man" in just "seven days" utilizing a method called "dynamic
tension", which could very well be code for "anabolic steroids".
* DAMOCLES
As in The Sword of. Acording to Greek mythology, Dionysis invited Damocles
to a banquest which he enjoyed until he saw a sword hanging above him, only
secured by a thread. Through the sword, Dionysis told Damocles that the
insecure would be the least fortunate. Therefore, the expression "The Sword
of Damocles" means some sort of danger, and "cutting the thread" is therefore
self-explanatory.
* BUDDY HOLLY
"...was singing his very last song." A pioneer of rock-n-roll in the
1950's, Buddy Holly was famous for such tunes as "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be
The Day". He was killed, along with Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba") and J.P. "The
Big Bopper" Richardson ("Chantilly Lace"), in a plane accident on February 3,
1959, a date which has come to be known as "the day the music died".
* STEVE REEVES
"...take in an old Steve Reeves movie." Reeves' best-known works as an
actor are from the 1950's "Hercules" film series. So, the next time someone
yells out the tired old "Who the hell is Steve Reeves?" line at a showing of
RHPS, you have some ammunition for a counter-attack.
* LILY ST. CYR
Ms. St. Cyr (pronounced "sincere", no matter what Susan Sarandon says) was a
stripper in the 1940s who later opened a lingerie shop in Hollywood. God
bless her, indeed.
* FAY WRAY
Fay Wray was an actress who starred in the original "King Kong". If you
want to know what happened to her, go do some research at the library or
online, or just look in the back of Bill Henkin's RHPS Book. I can't do
everything for you.
____________________________________________________________________________
6f - What are some other tasty trivia tidbits?
____________________________________________________________________________
Most of the major trivia was covered in the previous three sections, but here
are some more. If you have any to add, please send feedback.
* In the July 1987 issue of Shoptalk in answer to the trivia question "What
is the actual headline of 'The Plain Dealer' used in the film?", it says:
"'6 BIG OHIO UTILITIES SEEKING RATE BOOSTS' The paper was a mock-up, and used
for its headline, for some unknown reason, a variation of a non-headline front
page article published on October 7, 1974 (exactly two weeks before RHPS began
filming), whose title was "'6 OHIO UTILITIES SEEK INCREASES.'"
* The Oakley Court "castle" (where some of RHPS was filmed) is now a hotel
for tourists. By the way, when Richard O'Brien sings his verse of "Over at
the Frankenstein Place," he is in a bathroom.
* The "morse code" that sounds during Brad's bedroom scene and during the
"fanfare" section of the floorshow is gibberish. Joe Blevins went to great
lengths to try to translate it, and discovered that it was just a seemingly
random sequence of letters, numbers, and punctuation.
* One day during filming, the technical crew had an Easter Egg Hunt on the
set. Rumor has it that three eggs can been seen: one under Frank's throne,
one as the group ascends in the elevator, and the third is said to be where
the lightbulbs go on one of the Gargoyles in the main room.
* Susan Sarandon was asked to do a nude scene, but declined. Interestingly
enough, she had done nude scenes before, and became quite well-known for doing
them after Rocky.
* Rumour has it that during the dinner scene, Barry accidentally stepped on
or hit Susan (watch her face when he says "Just what exactly are you
implying", and subsequent shots), and that she later stepped on his foot with
her heel after the floor show (watch when they're backing up after Riff and
Magenta come through the door. Only the second one has been confirmed (by
Barry himself on the footage from the SE Laserdisc).
* A long-time fan (richardb@loop.com) reports that during the mid-70's, he
had the fortune to meet and hang around with Richard O'Brien in Florida. He
said that Richard said that during the Time Warp he is holding "a jam donut".
____________________________________________________________________________
6g - What are the urban legends?
____________________________________________________________________________
Other similar trivia information is located in sections 6c, 6d, and 6e.
* THE INFAMOUS RIFF/BRAD BUTTFUCK SCENE
This is a favourite on the newsgroup, and becomes more monstrous every time
the thread comes up. It's close to being a conspiracy theory, in more ways
that one. Those who talk about the scene discuss the conspiracy at Fox to
erase all proof of the scene, while the mere discussion of the scene is a
conspiracy to confuse the hell out of everyone.
Many claim that I was the one to start it, but while I admit that I was one
of the first proponents, I was not the first to mention it. That person was
Pat Quinn (not the actor - this one can be reached at http://www.net-
gate.com/~pquinn/disclaimer.html). Here's the basic story: A while back,
there was a thread of people trying to "one-up" each other by saying things
like "Our theatre has Superheroes", "Our theatre has the mono soundtrack",
"Our theatre has the trailer", etc. In order to try to put an end to this
silly bickering, I posted an obviously false message saying "Our theatre has
Once In A While, Brad's verse for There's A Light, and The Crim's verse for
Sword of Damocles." A bit further down the thread, Pat posted that his
theatre had "the infamous Riff/Brad buttfuck scene", and we ran with it.
Since that time, we've seen quotes from Barry Bostwick and Richard O'Brien,
references in Shock Treatment, a copy of the original scripting, still shots,
MPEGs, and people who have actually seen it in a theatre. Of course, those
who have visual proof of it can't seem to find where they put it, lost it in a
computer crash, threw it away years ago, etc. This is simply because none of
this exists.
Discussion of the scene seems to pop up every once in a while on the
newsgroup, usually prompted by the type of discussion that formed it in the
first place, sometimes as a subtle reference for the "veterans", and
occasionally just to stir up trouble. It's been accurately pointed out that
discussion of the scene is much akin to the rituals that many casts have for
their virgins. It's a Rocky Rite of Passage (of sorts). Keep an eye out;
join the fun.
* RICHARD O'BRIEN WENT TO SCHOOL IN DENTON, TEXAS
I've even had professors from the school ask me about this. Apparantly
there are persistent rumours at the University of North Texas (in Denton) that
Richard O'Brien went to school there and received an "F" on the script for
Rocky Horror that he had written for a drama class.
Richard O'Brien was born as Richard Smith in Cheltenham, England. His
family moved to New Zealand when he was 10. He dropped out of secondary
education when he was 15, and enrolled in an agricultural college to please
his parents. In his early 20s, he moved back to England and lived primarily
as an out-of-work actor in London (during which he wrote the original script
and songs for what was to become Rocky Horror) until he achieved his first
major success (with Rocky Horror) in 1973. In no time during this period did
he attend college in Denton, Texas.
* THE FORMULA FOR LSD IS ON THE WALL IN THE LAB
Some sources say yes, others say no. I haven't paid that much attention to
the movie lately to be able to compare it to the books I have on LSD; I'll get
around to it eventually. I seem to remember hearing from a reliable source
that the formula is, actually, laundry detergent (or something of the sort),
but I quite honestly can't remember for sure. If you think it is, try it out.
Let me know how it turns out. For those of you who think that the movie
reveals some deep dark secret lost since the '60's, just go to a library and
look under Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.
* DAVID BOWIE WAS THE VOICE FOR ROCKY
While it is true that Peter Hinwood did not do his own singing, it is not
true that it is David Bowie's voice. The singer was from New Zealand, and
Richard O'Brien, when questioned about this, couldn't remember his name.
There are various rumours floating around about who it was, but nobody really
knows for sure. It's definitely not Bowie, though.
* CHARLES GRAY IS DEAD
No he's not. Not yet, anyway.
* PETER HINWOOD IS DEAD
Joe Blevins takes the credit/blame for this one. It hasn't seen much light
outside of AOL, but apparently it's gotten about as much coverage there as the
Infamous Riff/Brad Buttfuck Scene has gotten in the newsgroup (eg, way more
than necessary). The basic story is that Peter Hinwood died during the making
of RHPS and that there are several clues throughout that help to prove this.
I am the walrus. It's not true, of course. Only his career died.
____________________________________________________________________________
6h - What's the RHPS Trivia Quiz?
____________________________________________________________________________
The "official" Trivia Quiz was written by Mike Hess and updated by E.
Bernhard Warg, and is available through the fan club (see subsection 7a).
It's quite long, and divided into sections. It contains perhaps every "one-
line" trivia question that could ever be conceived (unlike the trivia here,
which is mostly stories about the making of RHPS rather than specifics about
the movie itself). For a good time, assign the sections to the various
categories in Trivial Pursuit and make an evening out of it.
____________________________________________________________________________
6i - What is the Rocky Pledge of Allegiance?
____________________________________________________________________________
* General Pledge (this makes more sense in the US)
I, State Your Name,
Pledge Allegiance to the Lips
Of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
And to the decadence for which it stands,
One movie, under Richard O'Brien,
With Sensuous Daydreams, Erotic Nightmares, and Sins of the Flesh for All!
And I promise to be creative and not repeat anything anyone else says.
* Richard O'Brien's Transylvanian Pledge
We swear, often and loudly, to strike a blow for glamour and frivolity, for
rock-n-roll, for six-inch heels, for interplanetary intercourse, and for the
Transylvanian Way.
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 7 - Clubs to Join, Things to Read
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7a - What are the addresses of various fan clubs, and how can I join?
____________________________________________________________________________
Unless otherwise noted, send an SASE (or international reply coupon,
depending on where you live in relation to where the fan club is) for
information concerning membership, newsletters, etc.
* UNITED STATES
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Official Fan Club
220 West 19th Street, #2-A
New York, New York 10011
http://www.rockyhorror.com/
Dark Refrain Unconventional Conventionalists
c/o Memories of the Past c/o Curry's Angel
PO Box 4571 329 W. 22nd St. #7
Aurora, IL 60507 New York, NY 10011
In Your Pants Night Vision
PO Box 4531 PO Box 593
Wayne, NJ 07474-4531 Lincoln Park, MI 48461
RHPS Network Rockamania West
c/o Editor c/o Vanguard Studios
12921 Dale Box #94 50 Cour de la Celedon
Garden Grove, CA 92641 Sparks, NV 89434-9537
Shock Treatment Fan Club The Transcript (Transducer Players)
118 Perry Street #J46 110 Warren Avenue
New York, NY 10014 Voorhess, NJ 08043-1235
dentonmmm@aol.com
Further Indignities Crazed Imagination
SPC John Roe 216 Filbert Street
D. Co. 1/327 Inf Roselle, NJ 07204
Ft. Campbell, KY 42223-5000
** address letter to John - don't mention newsletter's name
* CANADA
Creatures of the Night
c/o Wanda MacRae
11874 Woodbine Ave RR 1
Gormley, Ontario
Canada LOH 1G0
* AUSTRALIA
Australia Contacts Magenta Magazine
PO Box 133, Belair c/o M. Douglas
So Australia 3 Alexandra Esplanade
Australia 5052 Bellerive TAS 7018
Australia
* FRANCE
The Zen Room
c/o Larent Hagimont
12, Rue Gernado
75009, Paris, France
* GERMANY
Rocky Horror FanClub Deutschland Palace of Darkness
BonnstraBe 31 c/o SImone Violka
W-4330 Mulheim an der Ruhr 1 PSF 630
Deutschland D-09032 Chemnitz
Germany
Clubrhps@aol.com
* ITALY
Italian Fans Diabolical Plan
c/o Davide Sahner Milan
Via T. Riboli, 12-B http://www.comedia.it/RockyHorror/
10135 Torino FanClub/fncluben.html
* JAPAN
Charles Atlas Club LIPS
Cube Sonoda 405., 1-9-1 570-3 Yanokuchi
Kawaranomiya INA61-SHI, Tokyo
Amagasaki-City, Hyogo, 661 206, Japan
* SWEDEN
Swedish Fans
Marten Melin
Terapivagen 6D, 2TR
141-55 Huddinge, Sweden
* SWITZERLAND
Forces of Darkness
c/o Sunci Nikolic
Weinbergstrasse 6
CH-5430 Wettingen
Switzerland
mailto:sunci@world.ch
http://www.hoax.net/rhps/
* UNITED KINGDOM
The Conventionalist Meatloaf Int'l Fan Club
Chris Cooke PO Box 1000
10 Helton Close Brighton, BN1 1WJ, UK
Holmes Chapel
Cheshire, CW4 7JZ
England
Regular Frankie Fans Time Warp
3 Salix Approach 1 Elm Grove
Birchwood Estate Hildenborough
Lincoln, LNG - OPN Tonbridge
England Kent TN11 9HE
England
* INTERNET
Tim Curry Mailing List
listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com
To subscribe, send a message with the text "sub timcurry-fans <Your Name>"
____________________________________________________________________________
7b - What newsletters and fanzines have existed throughout the years?
____________________________________________________________________________
Most casts have their own versions of newsletters, fanzines, programs, et
cetera, and it is near impossible to keep track of them all. These, however,
are often times more interesting than the fanzines aimed towards wide-spread
consumption, because they are usually shorter, aren't filled with information
you already know, and have a local flair to them. Many people collect this
sort of thing, so your best bet would be to just ask around. Also, whenever
you see the show in a new place, ask the cast if they have a mailing list or a
semi-regular newsletter. They should be more than happy to have an additional
subscriber.
____________________________________________________________________________
7c - What newsletters and fanzines exist now?
____________________________________________________________________________
Most of the fan clubs in subsection 7a have newsletters and/or fanzines
associated with them. Send an SASE (or internat'l reply coupon) for info to
the fan club(s) of your choice. This is but merely a sampling of what's
available; as was said before, it's near impossible to keep track of all of
them.
____________________________________________________________________________
7d - What books exist?
____________________________________________________________________________
* Creatures of the Night - Sal Piro
* Creatures of the Night II - Sal Piro
* Midnight Movies - J. Hoberman and Jonathan Rosenbaum (not an RHPS book, but
has many pictures and commentary)
* Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show (songbook) - Richard O'Brien
* The Rocky Horror Show Book - James Harding
* Rocky Horror Picture Show Audience Participation Book - Sal Piro and Mike
Hess
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show Book - Bill Henkin
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show Comic Books (three issues, a second printing
of issue #1, and a jumbo "compilation" book of all three) - Kevin VanHook
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Movie Script
* The Rocky Horror Picture Show Photo-Novel - A&W Visual Library, edited by
Richard J. Anobile; intro by Sal Piro
* The Rocky Horror Scrapbook (limited printing of 2000) - designed by Brian
Thompson
* The Rocky Horror Experience - Richard O'Brien (includes photos from London,
Roxy, Belasco, and the movie)
* Twentieth Anniversary Book (title?) - includes transcript of movie
____________________________________________________________________________
7e - What magazine articles have been written?
____________________________________________________________________________
<under construction>
============================================================================
============================================================================
Section 8 - Rocky Horror Elsewhere
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8a - What movies have had references to RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
* And God Spoke - The Spinal Tap for filmmakers. Major RHPS references.
* The Arrival - Charlie Sheen's character makes a reference to The Time Warp.
* Blue Money - there's a 'come as your favorite movie star' party. Someone
attends as Frank-N-Furter (ironically, Tim Curry stars in this movie, but
attends as Fred Astaire)
* The Crossing Guard - when Jack Nicholson's character is talking with a
stripper backstage of the strip bar near the beginning of the movie. The
RHPS "lips" are reflected in the mirror.
* Eerie Midnight Horror Show - an older b-movie. It is unconfirmed if this
is an intentional reference, but reports have it that the video box has
lips on the front and blood letters.
* Fame - a few of the characters go to see Sal Piro and RHPS in New York
* Jubilee - both Richard O'Brien and Nell Campbell starred in this movie, so
references are plentiful
* Lisztomania - features Nell Campbell and the throne from RHPS (also
features many of the crew from RHPS)
* Men In Black - while Tommy Lee Jones and The Fresh Prince are wandering
around on the streets looking for an alien, they go to a newsstand where a
character looks an awful lot like Riff-Raff. A comment is made along the
lines of 'that alien's disguise isn't very good'.
* Mr. Holland's Opus - a brief shot of Frank throwing off his cape during the
"70's montage"
* Pulp Fiction - there is reference to the character "Tony Rocky Horror"
* Tank Girl - the Rain Lady is wearing a yellow (!) "lips" tshirt
* Valley Girl - punk boys and valley girls pass line of people waiting to get
into RHPS. Punk-boy Fred introduces himself and says his favorite color is
Magenta.
* Vampyres: Daughters of Dracula - not really a reference, but they use the
same castle as was used in RHPS (Vampyres was made first, though)
* Willie and Phil - at the end, they pass people lined up for RHPS
____________________________________________________________________________
8b - What television shows have had references to RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
* The Amazing Spiderman - Spidey said something to the effect of "you reject
from The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
* Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow - John Waters compares RHPS to the 1950's
gimmick films of William Castle
* The Brady Bunch Variety Hour - references in its premiere episode -
something about doing a medley from the show
* Cagney and Lacey - they pass two young girls in full RHPS regalia who were
arrested under suspicion of being prostitutes when they were just on their
way to the theatre
* Charles in Charge - Charles and the kids are planning to go to the 15th
Anniversary convention, but Charles and Buddy get locked in a monkey cage
all night (those crazy kids). It's worth it just to see Adam dressed
as Riff, Jamie as Magenta, and Sarah as Brad.
* Count Duckula - a clean-cut Brad & Janet -esque duck couple get a flat tire
and walk through the rain to Duckula's castle.
* Disney's Ducktales - a 'monster convention' episode entitled "The Ducky
Horror Picture Show"
* Drew Carey Show - Drew dresses up to go to RHPS, only to find out that it
has been replaced by The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, for
which the secretary with all the makeup is properly dressed. A "showdown"
ensues, in which the Time Warp is pitted against a song from Priscilla.
* Dream On - one episode was titled "The Rocky Marriage Picture Show"
* Ellen - Ellen and her hip wanna-be mom were talking, and her mom suggested
that they "dress up and go see that Rocky Horror Picture Show"
* Fridays - The Ronny Horror Picture Show
* Head of the Class - mentioned in passing
* It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein - an A&E documentary
* Jeopardy! - On December 4, 1996, one of the answers was, "The Midnight cult
classic that starred Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter." Also, in April 1997,
there was a similar answer with regards to Barry Bostwick.
* MTV Rocky Horror 1990 Special (The Big Picture) - Costume contests and the
like
* MTV's The Big Picture - used clips from the RHPS movie trailer in its
opening sequence for about a year
* Mystery Science Theater 3000 - RHPS references every now and again
* Naked Truth - featured the Jeopardy show in which the answer was RHPS.
* Night Court - not really a direct reference; more inspired by. Mac makes a
documentary about his workplace and co-workers. The film becomes a cult
hit. Fans attend ritual screenings and memorize every line, even reciting
lines in unison with the film. One night, some fans come to the courtroom
dressed as their favorite "characters" (Dan, Bull, etc.). And, naturally,
all hell breaks loose.
* Night Flight - highlighted 10th Anniversary
* The Oscars (1995) - In a tribute to humor in film sung by (among other) Tim
Curry, the dancers started dancing the Time Warp, and some clips from RHPS
were on the screen. Tim, "shocked" that such a thing was going on, acted
embarrassed and silly.
* The Oscars (1997) - In a montage of "going to the movies", the RHPS scene
in Fame was shown.
* The Real Ghostbusters - on a trip to Transylvania, Ray makes a comment
about the Rocky Horror Show
* Real People - did a segment
* Rocko's Modern Life - One of the characters made a cartoon and, while
talking about it, the others quoted the "credit to your genius" bit.
* Saturday Night Live - In the episode hosted by Tim Curry with Meatloaf as
musical guest, they did a "Tim and Meat's One-Stop Rocky Horror Shop"
sketch. The report is that the sketch was awful, but the acting was good.
* Sesame Street - Susan Sarandon appeared as a Janet-like character with the
Count. It's raining, and they're at the front door of a castle (Susan says
that she's wet and it's cold). The Count is knocking on the door, counting
the knocks (ha-ha-ha).
* Silk Stalkings - Cops are investigating murder and they're interviewing a
lady who sells tickets in a movie theatre. She says that she remembers the
suspect was there watching 'Psycho' but she can't say when he left 'cause
they were screening Rocky Horror Picture Show and "the going was pretty
wild" . Or something like that.
* The Simpsons - Dr. Hibbert arrived at The Aztec Theatre in RHPS garb for a
film festival (which was showing something else). When he arrived, he
stated, "D'oh I thought they were playing The Rocky Horror Picture Show
tonight, tee hee hee."
* 3rd Rock From The Sun - To promote a change in their time slot, they made a
series of commercials parodying popular songs. Arguably the most clever
one was entitled "Let's Do The Time Change Again" with the characters
dressed as the criminologist and transylvanians, singing a parody to the
Time Warp, and making jokes and references throughout.
* VH1 - Time Warp: 20 Years of Rocky Horror - with Susan, Barry, Richard,
Pat, Nell, Meat, Lou Adler, Sal Piro, and Tim Deegan
* VH1's Rock 'n Roll Picture Show - In the opening credits, there's a quick
shot of a group of people lined up with an RHPS poster on a wall behind
them. The title is also an obvious reference.
* Whose Line is it Anyway? - This improv show often uses 'movie styles', and
at least one reference to RHPS has been made over the years.
* You Can't do that on Television - was featured in a show about addictions
____________________________________________________________________________
8c - What music videos have had references to RHPS?
____________________________________________________________________________
* Tim Curry - "Paradise Garage" (features Dori Hartley)
* Meat Loaf - "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" (Leap of Faith version)
* Poison - "I Want Action"
* Dana McCoy - (title unknown) (shot in Nell's and features a Columbia)
____________________________________________________________________________
8d - What other movies have gotten the "RHPS Treatment"?
____________________________________________________________________________
What happened with RHPS (live performances and audience participation) was a
fairly spontaneous and original phenomenon. However, other movies have
received similar methods of fan appreciation, usually by RHPS casts. Most
notable, the movies "Clue" (which stars Tim Curry and takes place in a big
house on a rainy night, and also includes a motorist whose car breaks down and
who goes to the big house to use the phone