The Rocky Horror Picture Show | |
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Theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Jim Sharman |
Produced by | |
Screenplay by |
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Based on |
The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O'Brien |
Starring | |
Narrated by | Charles Gray |
Music by |
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Cinematography | Peter Suschitzky |
Edited by | Graeme Clifford |
Production
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Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
Country |
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Language | English |
Budget | US$1.4 million |
Box office | US$140.2 million |
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 British-American musical comedy sci-fi horror film by 20th Century Fox produced by Lou Adler and Michael White and directed by Jim Sharman. The screenplay was written by Sharman and actor Richard O'Brien, who appears in the film, which is based on the 1973 musical stage production of the same title, with music, book, and lyrics by O'Brien. The production is a parody tribute to the science fiction and horror B movies of the 1930s through to the early 1970s. Along with O'Brien, the film stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick and is narrated by Charles Gray with cast members from the original Royal Court Theatre, Roxy Theatre, and Belasco Theatre productions.
The story centres on a young engaged couple whose car breaks down in the rain near a castle where they seek a telephone to call for help. The castle or country home is occupied by strangers in elaborate costumes celebrating an annual convention. They discover the head of the house is Dr. Frank N. Furter, an apparent mad scientist who actually is an alien transvestite who creates a living muscle man in his laboratory. The couple are seduced separately by the mad scientist and eventually released by the servants who take control.
The film was shot in the United Kingdom at Bray Studios and on location at an old country estate named Oakley Court, best known for its earlier use by Hammer Film Productions. A number of props and set pieces were reused from the Hammer horror films. Although the film is both a parody of and tribute to many of the kitsch science fiction and horror films, costume designer Sue Blane conducted no research for her designs. Blane stated that costumes from the film have directly affected the development of punk rock fashion trends such as ripped fishnets and dyed hair.