I watched Rocky Horror Picture Show again the other night and when Tim Curry steps off the elevator? Instant takeover. From the moment he comes out to the last moment he sings, he rules every scene. Susan Sarandon too? Pure gold.
Whether this is the first time or you watch it every year, it’s a thrilling story of sci-fi, sex and rock ‘n’ roll.
These are the funniest, most amazing and unbelievable facts about The Rocky Horror Picture Show that most people (probably) haven’t heard.
How Tim Curry was chosen to play the part
Bringing up The Rocky Horror Picture Show and not mentioning Tim Curry? Impossible! Tim Curry starred in his first movie here—playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a sci-fi expert who is a transvestite—and took over the screen from the very beginning.
She won the role because she performed the character previously when the original play was performed in 1973.
Because The Rocky Horror Picture Show had an amazing 2,960 performances in London and Tim Curry played such an essential role, the choice to cast him as Frank-N-Furter for the film was clear.
An athlete who had both physical and musical talent
How
I learned about the play because we lived on Paddington Street near Baker Street, with an old gym a few doors from our place. I ran into Richard O’Brien on the street and he explained that he had stopped by the gym to find a man who could flex and sing at the same time. “So, why do you have to get him to sing?” [laughs] And then he informed me that his musical was happening again and urged me to speak with Jim Sharman. As soon as I got the script, Curry thought to himself, “If this goes well, it’s going to be hugely successful.”
Curry had gained weight after filming the movie – so he could be harder to recognize.
What really made the film special was that it introduced Tim Curry to people all over the world and helped him gather a loyal fan group. Even so, Curry rarely talked about the movie for several years because enthusiastic fans sometimes made it difficult for him.
He also explained to VH1 that the extra weight he put on made him “chubby and plain”. He wanted to make sure he was not associated with Frank any longer.
He feels less awkward discussing the movie now and actually sees it as an experience teenagers must have.
In 2015, Curry mentioned that the movie is a sure party for the weekend, whether you have or do not have a partner and it’s a moment for audience members to assume different characters. Assist them, possibly help them understand their own sexuality.
No picnic
Making The Rocky Horror Picture Show was quite tough for everyone involved. The set for the movie was serious, not at all like the lively atmosphere of the stage show. Given the short filming period of five weeks, everyone had to be at the studio early, morning after morning — especially Tim Curry, who needed four full hours to put on his makeup. Later, he realized he could do it all by himself to make his routine quicker.
How Meat Loaf delivered a perfect version of the song
I always laugh when I catch Meat Loaf in his role as Eddie during The Rocky Horror Picture Show rewatch. There are lots of great behind-the-scenes stories about him, but the one that stands out to me is …
Richard O’Brien was concerned that the quick tempo of “Hot Patootie” might be too much for Meat Loaf. He explained, “Even if you make mistakes on a few parts, it’s still fine.” No one from the London musical has managed to sing the entire piece correctly throughout. Meat Loaf glanced at the note and calmly replied “What’s the problem?” before singing it flawlessly during his first try.
Making a big entrance was an accident.
When Dr. Everett V. Scott suddenly runs through the movie by crashing straight through a wall, it becomes one of the film’s most iconic scenes. Interestingly, the original plan didn’t include the dramatic entrance — the reason was because the set crew forgot to add a door to the lab.
Curry was greatly surprised by the royal confession.
Around the world, fans embrace the film, but Princess Diana was one of the most esteemed admirers. While he was singing in Austria, Tim Curry found out that the princess wished to meet him. As soon as they arrived, Diana showed a smirk that Curry called “wicked” and mentioned that Rocky Horror had finished off her education.
While speaking to Terry Gross on Fresh Air, Curry recalled meeting both King Charles III and Princess Diana at a performance of Love for Love. He admitted the role of coming last at the receiving line. Whereas Prince Charles only smiled and said he’d seen Curry on TV, Diana’s reaction could not be ignored. What made her candid reflection most powerful was that, even as a member of the royal family, the film had greatly touched her.
When method acting went a bit too far
If you’re a true fan of Rocky Horror, I’m sure you saw that in the dinner scene, when Barry Bostwick was upset, he slammed his fist on the table and accidentally hit Susan Sarandon’s hand. Her reaction?
I truly felt the pain as I was writing. She then paid him back, accidentally, by stepping on his foot with her spike heel during the Floor Show. A picture of his grimace was captured? And fully legitimate as well. Hey, it’s the golden age of accidental revenge, complete with a touch of style…
Susan Sarandon’s determination
Crews shot the film between fall and winter of 1974, most scenes being filmed at Bray Studios and the old country estate Oakley Court in the United Kingdom.
I heard that both the actors and the audience were extremely freezing and that there were no restrooms around. The actor who portrayed Brad, Barry Bostwick, says the leaking castle left him constantly wet throughout the film. The cast only had one space that was warm, with warmers placed nearby, but get this— The room was on fire at this stage.
Once Susan Sarandon spoke up, the studio executives didn’t take her concerns seriously. Her illness started after she squirmed in her revealing outfit for the pool scenes. He said her fever was so high that someone should have watched her health, but she kept on working through the pain.
During their time filming, Barry Bosten and Susan Sarandon were together as a couple. In 2013, Richard O’Brien casually talked about this in an interview.
The almost naked scene
Sarandon, in the role of Janet Weiss, frequently went bare in much of the film. Janet stands out the most in the movie when she experiences her first independent sexual experience, in ‘Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me,’ opposite Rocky who, at the time, was a model.
Of course, Peter was the most reserved and quiet person there. Mirren said she thought it was really hard for him to act in that scene with me, Sarandon recalls.
Susan Sarandon conceded to be nude in previous roles, yet she chose not to be nude in this scene.
Yet, they hoped the actress singing “Sweet Transvestite” in Rocky Horror would have taken it all off as well. She refused to take off all of her clothes during filming.
Even after her stunt, Playboy kept inviting her to pose nude in their magazine, but she kept refusing. In a 1991 interview, she mentioned that they have been chasing her since she appeared in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Susan Sarandon isn’t interested in discussing the film.
The actress admitted she didn’t expect to audition for the role of Janet Weiss. She came by the set to spend some time with her friend Tim Curry.
At that time, the producers saw her and offered her the job. Other singers sounded good, but none could bring in the humor they were looking for. At first, she turned down the role, saying she’s not a good singer and a bit scared about singing.
They asked Carlene to sing the standard “Happy Birthday,” and she did so which was all it took to persuade the judges. They liked her a lot and cast her, but Sarandon admits it was by accident. Another thing she has shared is how unhappy she was that cast members weren’t paid for selling the DVDs which can make it hard for her to bring up the movie at times.
Will it rain?
A plastic coating was placed on the newspaper Janet holds over her head to maintain it throughout the multiple times it was drenched by rainwater.
However, the plastic didn’t protect all of the paper; the part holding by Susan Sarandon was left uncovered so the effect would be believable. The fact that the corner isn’t wet means that part of the newspaper was not supposed to be.
In addition, the blue cardigan worn by Janet changes to white as soon as she encounters Riff Raff.
There’s also a funny detail in Janet’s clothes you may not have noticed before. When we first see her, her shoes are black, but later, when she and Brad reach the lab, they have become white.
Sudden wheelchair confusion
As the castle is about to be taken away by Magenta and Riff Raff, Brad and Janet help Dr. Scott out of the movie. After the castle lifts into the air, the film shows the three Witches lying among the burned debris.
It’s interesting that Dr. Scott is now seated on a broken wheelchair, despite not using one just a little while ago.
Often, people mistake me for an impostor.
While he lived in New York, Tim Curry observed people coming to midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in costume. He became interested and decided to line up for one of the screenings. Unfortunately, the staff at the theater didn’t believe it was Tim Curry and falsely accused him of being an impostor.
After the staff checked his ID, they apologized, but Curry decided not to stay. Those employees must have felt like we all do when we judge someone wrongly.
What’s your favorite part of this memorable film? Do you have any great behind-the-scenes stories or bloopers I didn’t include? Feel comfortable letting me know any thoughts you have on the matter in the comments.
