Ryan ChartrandYes! It’s that time again, movie fans.
Brad, Janet, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Riff-Raff and, of course, Rocky, as well as the rest of the gang are here in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
The Fremont Theatre is presenting “Rocky Horror” as the first film in their lineup called the Rewind Series, which includes films from the 1980s through the recent decade. In addition to the Rewind Series, the Fremont will also present other special engagements such as the Classic Series, which includes films from the 1950s through the 1970s, and the Silver Screen Series, which includes black-and-white films from Hollywood’s golden heyday. Films in each series are screened on an average of one per month.
“Rocky Horror” plays at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Fremont Theatre, located at 1025 Monterey St. Trivia mania and prize giveaways take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m., immediately followed by the film presentation.
And now . on to the flick.
Following the opening scenes of the film, which contain the biggest pair of on-screen red lips in movie history, Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) announce their engagement during the wedding reception of close friends. As the criminologist (Charles Gray) subsequently picks up the story thread, he intermittently narrates and expertly weaves together the overtly sexual adventure that is “Rocky Horror.”
Brad and Janet become lost on a dark and stormy night, when the pair end up outside a mysterious and creepy castle. As Brad and Janet arrive at the castle in search of a telephone, the pair discover a cast of bizarre characters, led by the outlandish Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).
Brad and Janet enter the castle just in time to witness the cast performing one of the film’s signature numbers, “The Time Warp.”
Brad and Janet abruptly find out the truth of what Frank-N-Furter and his gang are up to: attempting to create the perfect mate, in the form of Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood).
Other characters of the film include Eddie (Meat Loaf), Riff-Raff (Richard O’Brien), Magenta (Patricia Quinn), Columbia (Nell Campbell), and Dr. Everett Von Scott (Jonathan Adams).
As the film progresses, so does the madness and mayhem. It is revealed that the castle’s inhabitants are really aliens from the planet Transsexual, which is in the galaxy of Transylvania. The castle turns out be the space vessel that has transported the bizarre group to Earth.
Brad and Janet are both seduced, at separate times, by Rocky. The wheelchair-bound Dr. Scott, who is the uncle to Eddie, as well as Frank-N-Furter’s scientific rival, arrives in search of his nephew. Eddie is killed and eaten in a strange feast-like gathering. There is even a bizarre type of fashion show complete with leather and lace, garters and teddies.
The film winds down with Riff-Raff and Magenta killing off Frank-N-Furter, Rocky and Columbia with their really odd space ray-gun.
Brad, Janet and Dr. Scott are all left behind as the castle blasts off on its return journey to the Transylvania galaxy, taking Riff-Raff and Magenta once again to their home planet of Transsexual.
The film contains an outrageous and original soundtrack that has become quite famous in the past 30 years. Songs such as “Sweet Transvestite” and “The Time Warp,” as well as the popular catch phrase “Dammit Janet,” are now known on a worldwide basis.
The original United States premiere occurred Sept. 26, 1975, in Westwood, Calif. Although not initially grossing high box office numbers, the film has since become a classic among the interactive movie set. Audience members come dressed as their favorite characters, participate in active physical and verbal feedback with the screen and even simultaneously act out scenes as they are playing on the giant screen.
For more information on show dates, show times and film titles in the three series, please contact the Fremont Theatre at 541-2141 or go to www.themovieexperience.com.