Hello & welcome back to Monstrous Musicals. Well folks, we are two away from being done with the reviews. And today, we are taking a look at a musical that is often cited as the quintessential Halloween musical. Dammit, Janet, this is The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Trailer
Uh yeah, what does one say to that thing? But seriously, that is the reaction I had, the first time I watched this film.
The Plot
We open the film on the criminologist, who'll serve as our narrator telling the story of Brad and Janet and the one fateful night that they came across Dr. Frank N. Furter. We start the film proper at the wedding of one of their close friends, after which Brad proposes to Janet. Later on, we see them driving and it appears that they have gotten a flat and they are lost on a dark and rainy night, they have decided to go a castle that they drove past in hopes to use their phone and here they come across the transvlyaians holding their annual Transylvania convention and the most memorable number in the film happens. Y'know, which one I'm talking about. After which, we are introduced to our antagonist of the film, the fabulous and fantastic Fran N. Furter. And they are also introduced to the rest of the cast, Riff Raff, Magenta and Columbia. After Frankie's big entrance, they head up to his lab to see what's on the slab. Our dear scientist it appears has found the secret to life as he's made himself one hell of a man. Although, he has created his perfect man, we see that he isn't a very good lover. More on that later but now it's time to celebrate the birth of Rocky and the celebration is going great until it's crashed by Eddie, an ex-delivery boy and partial brain donor to Rocky. Eddie steals the spotlight away from Frank N. Furter and out of jealously, Frank kills him in what is undoubtedly the most intense moment as Frank N. Furter takes an ice axe to Eddie. Seriously, forget how frightening Tim Curry can be in this film. Later on, we see Frank take his guests to separate bedrooms, where he later seduces the both of them by pretending to be Brad and Janet. WTH? Just go with it, Janet did. Later on Janet heads on down to the lab and sees Rocky, who is whimpering like a little puppy from all of the suffering he had endured from Riff Raff. Janet tends to his wounds and they make out. Dammit Janet, you get around. Meanwhile Columbia and Magenta are watching on a monitor as Rocky and Janet get to know each other better. Does anyone else find this a little unsettling because technically Rocky isn't even a day old yet. Then again, it did seem as though both parties involved were okay with this but still, this seems a little squicky. Later on, Rocky goes missing and Frank heads to the lab with Brad and Riff Raff, where an intruder, Dr. Everett Scott, Brad and Janet's old high school science but Frankie suspects him of working for the government searching for UFO's. (I wonder, if he'd be effected by the shutdown as well. Probably!) Frank after learning of Brad and Janet's connection to Dr. Scott, think they might work for him. All of the commotion is broken up, when Magenta comes and lets everyone know that dinner is ready. When at the table, it is discovered the table is actually Eddie. (What a guy!) This causes Janet to run and scream through the Frankenstein Place being chased by a jealous Frank (Looks like, she needed to wise up). With the chase ending in Frank's lab with Dr. Scott and Brad joining up with them and Frank using the Medusa Transducer that'll seduce them to turn them into statues. Later on, we see them on a stage where Frank forces them to put on a live cabaret show (my kind of villain. I'd probably do that too). But the performance is cut short by Riff and Magenta. In the words of human Pinkie Pie: Oh bummer. But no time to dwell on that as it is revealed that our brother and sister pair along with Frank N. Furter are indeed aliens from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. In the process, they kill Columbia, Frank and Rocky while letting Dr. Scott, Brad a Janet go. As they escape from the Frankenstein Place and Riff Raff and Magenta speak of returning home. This film is weird but it is also a lot of fun.
Characters
We've got a lot and I mean a lot of characters to go through. Let's begin.
Narration
The Criminologist played by Charles Gray
The Criminologist is important to the story as he is that tells the tale to us and I do appreciate the fact that he doesn't overstay his welcome. He serves his purpose but doesn't overtake the film.
Main Characters
Brad Majors (A Hero) played by Barry Bostwick
If I'm to be honest, I've always found Brad to be a bit boring. Bostwick does a fine job playing him as the uptight, straight-laced serious half of our main leads and he is for all intents and purposes, a dork. Which is why when Glee did their Rocky Horror episode, casting Finn in this role was a mistake because he is a jock and Brad Majors is not all that athletic. Getting back on topic, I just think it's a case of all of the the other characters that Brad interacts with is far more interesting.
Janet Weiss (A Heroine) played by Susan Sarandon
Whereas Brad was a character, I found boring. Janet was actually a bit interesting. Especially in regards that she clearly isn't as innocent, she comes across. She is just so much fun because you know there is something going on with her.
Supporting Characters
Riff Raff and Magenta played by Richard O'Brien & Patricia Quinn (A Handyman and a Domestic)
The more I think about it, these two turning on Frank isn't all that shocking. Because if you actually pay attention to their actions, they have no respect for Frank but they just tolerate him and just go back to the scene, where Riff Raff tortures and beats Rocky.
Columbia (A Groupie) played by Little Nell
Columbia is a hard character to place. She's not a bad character and in a way, she lives up to her label, the most especially her interaction with Eddie and even moreso, her infatuation with Eddie because as we see in her bedroom, Eddie's face is plastered is all over the place. I think the only thing that threw me off about Columbia at the end is when, she admitted that she loved Frank. I guess I should've seen that coming with her acting jealously towards Rocky.
Rocky (A Creation) played by Peter Hinwood
Rocky is one of the more interesting characters in the film because, this is just his first day alive and we are experiencing him experience his surroundings and taking all of the new things around him. It does make for a fascinating watch with this character.
Eddie (An Ex-Delivery Boy) played by Meat Loaf
Why wasn't Eddie in more of this film? He was the best character in the entire film. Meat Loaf was just so much fun and totally selling the character of Eddie. His number is one of the best, if not in the best in the film. It's just a shame that he was killed off so soon in the film.
Dr. Everett Scott (A Rival Scientist) played by Jonathan Adams
Dr. Scott was an all right character and I forgot to mention the fact that was Eddie's uncle and the main reason, he went to the Frankenstein Place was to look for his delinquent nephew but as we learn through song, he wasn't very close. I will say that there is one thing that disappoints me in the original stage production of The Rocky Horror Show, Dr. Scott was played by Meat Loaf in a dual role. Meat Loaf said that he wished he would've played the doctor in the film as well. I agree.
Music
Science Fiction/Double Feature
This is easily the perfect way to open Rocky Horror as it pays homage to the the types of film that are parodied within Rocky Horror such as King Kong of The Day The Earth Stood Still. Also, those lips belong to Patrica Quinn (Magenta) but the voice belongs to that of Richard O'Brien.
Dammit Janet
This is such a sweet song and you can clearly hear how much these two care about each other and love each other. Also, pay attention to some of the cast in the background as this film pulls a Wizard of Oz with their actors playing other roles at the church such as Richard O'Brien appearing I want to say as the keeper for the church.
There's A Light (Over At The Frankenstein Place)
A simple song but it's all right leading our characters to the Frankenstein Place and it is a rather nice piece but it doesn't stay with me. It's not bad, none of the music is bad in this film but I just don't find his one to be memorable. Unlike the next number.
Time Warp
I'll admit I LOVE Time Warp. How can you not? It's just so infectious and this is a number, when you see it, you gotta do the Time Warp. You just gotta. Otherwise, you are doing ti wrong. While I do love this song, it's not my favorite from the film but oh, it is just so much fun.
Sweet Transvestite
Oh HELL YES, Tim Curry in all glory. This is such a great song and a great introduction for Frank. And hey, it's a great message, celebrate who you are because it doesn't matter. So long as you have pride, you should be comfortable with who you are. In a strange Frank N. Furter has sort of become inspiration for me and I just love the way, he says anticipation in this number.
Sword of Damocles
Um, this is a good song but I do have to admit that I find it weird that Rocky is able to perfectly sing a number, when he is brought to life but he cannot form full sentences as seen later on in the film. That just seems bizarre.
I Can Make You A Man
Again, I like this song a lot and you can really hear Frank's infatuation with his new creation and how he is just fawning over Rocky.
Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul
Oh yeah, this is easily in my top 3 and a very very strong contender for favorite. Although it does have one competitor. Meat Loaf just sells this song and I just find myself tapping along and just having a huge grin on my face during this number... until Frank kills Eddie. This number is just awesome.
I Can Make You A Man (Reprise)
Not too much to say here, this isn't a bad piece but it's not very memorable either and I think that it suffers from coming right behind Hot Patootie, one of the best numbers in the film.
Touch-A, Touch-A, Touch Me
Man, Susan Sarandon gives her all with this number and you can hear the innocence of Janet slowly fading away as she makes out with Rocky. Though the best part, has to be when she the heads of the different characters. It is just so funny.
Eddie
Man, another great song. I love the beat this has going for it. This number is just so much fun and Dr. Scott is giving it's all in this performance and I'm sorry but the image of Eddie's dead body is easily the creepiest thing in this film.
Planet Schmanet Janet
Okay, this song does NOT get enough credit as a great villain song. I know Frank's most well known number is Sweet Transvestite but this number feels more like a villain song and it actually shows what a true threat Frank N. Furter can be. This may be my favorite number in the entire show.
Rose Tint My World
I forgot about this song. Is it bad? No but not remembering it, is not a good sign. Honestly, there are truly no bad songs in this film but this one at best, just exists. And that's it.
Fanfare/ Don't Dream It, Be It
Now, this is more like it. Though of course, it's Frank and gets easily some of the best songs in the entire film and this is another great tune. And I love the mantra, Don't Dream It, Be It. Sure, it's coming from a mad scientist dressed in drag but have you seen Frank, he can make it work. Of course, this song is used in a twisted nature as in a way, Frank I think brainwashed the others. I don't know.
Wild and Untamed Thing
Man, this number is just so much fun and we finally see Riff Raff and Magenta turn on Frank with their coup and honestly, as I mentioned up top, you had see them getting sick of Frank sooner or later.
I'm Going Home
I want this song played at my funeral as it is just so touching, even if Frank is just using the song to gain pity for his actions after Riff and Magenta interrupt the floor show. But man, oh man is it great.
Science Fiction/Double Feature (Reprise)
Honestly, it makes so much sense to close with Science Fiction/Double Feature. It serves as a nice bookend to the film and here it is telling the tale of what happened in the film there is just something about the way, that it's sung that makes it all the more tragic.
Now, these were all the songs featured in the U.S. cut but just for fun, I'm going to take a look at a deleted song and a song that was only featured in the U.K. cut.
Once In A While
Ugh, I wish this would've been included in the film because it is a great song and I think this would made Brad a whole more interesting and seeing Janet watch this play out is just so heartbreaking. Man, this is just so disappointing. Because this is such a good song.
Superheroes
This number is fun and I've seen both the U.S. Cut and U.K. Cut, which features Superheroes. This is a nice song but if I'm to be honest, I don't find that it adds anything significant to the plot and really by this point, I'm ready for the film to be done.
Villain
Frank N. Furter (A Scientist) played by Tim Curry
Frank is just all kinds of awesome. He knows who he is and he owns it with bravado. He is very secure in who he is but as I said when talking about the plot, he loves himself maybe a little too much as we learn that Columbia loved him once but he just ignored her. Frank has a "Me" attitude, he just wants everything to be about him.
Favorite/Least Favorite
This one is tough as there truly are no bad songs and for Favorite, well, I'm going to countdown my Top 3. First.
3. Time Warp
2. Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul
1. Planet Schament Janet
Yep, my favorite is Planet Schmanet Janet because it is just a great villain song, with the way Frank taunts Janet and he really gets into her head. As for Least Favorite, I have to go with Rose Tint My World, mainly because I just find it so forgettable.
My Final Thoughts
This is such a great film that celebrates it's weirdness and you can't help but having a good time watching this film. Join me tomorrow for the final Monstrous Musical review as I take a look at...
Little Shop of Horrors
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