NINETOES VS. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Halloween performances of this classic will be bittersweet this year, so Ninetoes wants you to remember Tim Curry in his prime.

A rain-soaked couple takes refuge in the castle of a transvestite mad scientist from outer space who is about to unveil his greatest creation.

Directed by Jim Sharman

Written by Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman

Starring Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon

Rated R

Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

This is for Tim. Rest in Peace.

“It was great when it all began. I was a regular Frankie fan…”

I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey…The year was 197,8 and we had cable television. I even had a hookup on my black-and-white television in my room, and back then, after a certain hour, the Disney Channel went adult. One Friday night, at midnight, The Rocky Horror Picture Show came on…Oh My!

Since then, I’ve gone to several midnight shows and what a sensation this low-budget movie caused. Hell, one night I watched the guy next to me get knocked out by a piece of toast. It was a burnt end, and it shot up from the mid-section, boomeranged back, and beaned the poor guy right between the eyes. That same night, someone forgot their water gun and broke out the firehose…you can guess the rest.

On this night, I discovered the talent of Tim Curry. Yes, the movie is silly. The music is bouncy, the tunes catchy. The acting was…something else but so much damn fun. But it was Tim Curry who led the way. He was over the top, in every best possible way, and I dare say his performance liberated quite a few people who were coming to terms with themselves.

You can tell the entire cast had fun making this movie. Let’s face it, this movie made Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Tim Curry stars as well as household names. Let’s not forget Charles Gray (Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever) as the criminologist. Remember kids, he taught us how to do the Time Warp! And what about the insane shape Peter Hinwood was in for the role of Rocky? Charle Atlas Seal of Approval indeed!

Now, as campy, over-the-top, and absolutely delicious as this movie is, it is not, and I repeat NOT FOR THE KIDDIES! So, please use your discretion when viewing it.

If you have never seen it before, treat yourself to your new guilty pleasure. If you have, give it another viewing for Tim.

Don’t dream it. Be it!

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.