Homage to 50's teen sci-fi flicks meets gender-bending rock 'n' roll musical. Not for the kids, but everyone should experience this movie in a theater at least once in their lives, preferably with a date.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the story of the corruption and sexual awakening of an innocent young suburban couple. They get a flat tire in a storm one night and wind up at a nearby castle (of course, doesn't everyone have one of these in their neighborhood?) where Dr. Frank N. Furter is holding a coming-out party for his latest creation -- a beautiful blond guy named Rocky. The party is attended by assorted Transylvanians who may not be as human as they (sort of) look.

The movie has two different endings, with the 'extended version' containing the extra song, "Superheroes". The WriterGroupie prefers this version.

Fun to see a young Barry Bostwick and his then-girlfriend, Susan Sarandon. The creator of Rocky Horror, Richard O'Brien, plays the role of "Riff Raff" in the movie. And for those who only know Tim Curry from his modern roles, usually as the stuffy British butler or concierge, this is... a departure. With garters.

Personal:

The WriterGroupie lost her "Rocky Horror Virginity"* back in college. While she remembered the scenes from Fame where people went to see the movie and how it looked like a wild scene, she was only somewhat curious about the movie. Fortunately she had friends who had seen it multiple times and gently (more or less) indoctrinated her. By the time of the "Virgin Sacrifice"**, she was ready for the movie to start and when it did, it was love at first sight. And second... and third... and well, she's lost count, but she's seen it in theaters at least half a dozen times, owns it on video and has watched that at least 30 times and even went to see a revival of the original play version a few years back with David Arquette playing Frank.

One of her favorite times seeing the movie with a crowd was at a science fiction convention in London. There, the UK fans got to hear some of the US fan responses (when the audience talks back to the movie characters) from the WriterGroupie and the WriterGroupie got to hear some of the UK versions. Neither had previously realized there were 'regional' differences in the responses. Much amusement was had by all.

By the time she saw the live revival however, she had matured in her Rocky Horror fandom. She had seen the sequel movie, Shock Treatment, almost 20 times on video and was as devoted to that movie and to the creator of both "Rocky" and "Shocky", that her younger fascination and infatuation with Tim Curry was replaced with a fascination and infatuation with Richard O'Brien. So while she was sure that David Arquette did a fine job in the role of Frank, she was paying a lot more attention to the actor playing Riff Raff. Though obviously, the WriterGroupie's favorite character is "Columbia, a Groupie".

* In Rocky Horror fandom, a "Virgin" is someone who has never seen the film -- some are even considered Virgins if they've only seen the movie on video instead of in a theater with a "Cast"***.

** In Rocky Horror fandom, the "Virgin Sacrifice" is the ritual public teasing of the newbies.