Rocky Horror Remake: Why do the Time Warp Again?
Remake of Richard O'Brien's Cult Camp Classic Film Announced
Aug 14, 2008
News that Richard O’Brien’s camp classic will be given a modern facelift by Sky Movies (UK) and MTV (USA) raises the thorny issue of remaking classic movies. In the case of The Rocky Horror Picture Show this is also a cult favourite that is unique in its relationship to its audience.
Rocky’s Alive – The Birth of a Phenomena
The Rocky Horror Show was sparked into life in 1973, a two act stage musical featuring an oddball cast of characters and a plethora of catchy tunes. The combination of B-Movie premise, light-hearted sexual deviancy and knowingly camp humour endeared the production to audiences and the original show ran for seven years. Subsequently it has become a regular of repertory theater with performances continuing to this day. Audiences dress up as their favourite characters and interact with the cast.
The plot is a mish-mash of 1950’s clichés – upstanding and moral newlyweds Brad and Janet’s car breaks down in a rainstorm and they seek shelter in an imposing mansion. The owner is “sweet transvestite” Frank-N-Furter who is currently working on building the perfect man. Before long the couple are embroiled in a whirlwind of science fiction and horror as they give themselves over to “absolute pleasure”. While singing, of course.
Caught in a Celluloid Jam – Rocky Hits the Big Screen
The success of the stage show led to a modestly budgeted film, directed by Jim Sharman. Freed of the confines of the theater the re-named The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) is a day-glo riot of visual excess and joie de vivre. The cast is perfect, from Tim Curry’s delirious Frank-N-Furter to Barry Bostwick’s hilariously square-jawed Brad Majors. Among the film’s many highlights is the ensemble dance number The Time Warp, helpfully explained to the audience by the stern narrator who taps on footstep charts to aid dancers. This led to audiences joining in with the film, a key part of its continued success.
I Can Make You a Fan
The continued appeal of both the film and the stage show lies not just in O’Brien’s script but also in the way the phenomenon grew organically from it. The audience “owned” Rocky as much as the players in it, interacting with it by trading lines with the characters. Over the years a bewildering array of Rocky props have been essential at showings:
- rice for the wedding
- water pistols
- rubber gloves
- a piece of toast (for the toast, obviously)
These are accessories no fan could be without. Naturally the cleaning bills of cinemas and theaters rose whenever the production was in town.
What’s on the Slab?
Although the show has been re-interpreted many times it remains to see whether the same approach could work in a film remake. For a cult item so iconic, where aficionados can quote the film verbatim, the makers of the new version have a tough hill to climb, particularly as it debuts on television, restricting the audience interaction that makes Rocky unique. That said there is an appetite for retro-musicals, as seen with the success of Mama Mia! So maybe they will find their own audience after all.
