What's white and sells hambugers? Part 3

One last post about last weekend's screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Charleston, S.C.:
Tom Steenhuysen (who you can find at justcallmetom.com) got some terrific photos of the cast. An album of his pictures can be found at BackRow Productions' Facebook page. Tell them I said hello!

What's white and sells hambugers? Part 2

Me, with the Charleston, S.C., Rocky Horror "shadowcast."
Or the cast of Watchmen: The Next Generation. I forget.

I finally saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show with an audience this weekend and had a blast. I wasted a lot of bandwidth this year writing about my past frustrations with the film (which date back to 1986) but you can catch up with those posts by clicking here.

I caught the film at the Terrace Theater in Charleston, S.C. Despite the punishing thunderstorm that hit Friday night it was reportedly a record turn-out for the monthly performance. I met the "shadowcast" troupe outside before the show and grabbed a few photos with them. I'm tempted to call them a "motley crew" but that shitty, shitty hair band has ruined that term forever ... so let me call them "a bunch of uninhibited badasses" instead. You can find them on Facebook here.

The volunteers sold a Rocky Horror Survival Kit which was really helpful seeing as how me and my photographer/personal assistant* never got around to buying any props for the show. Among the items inside was a page from the Charleston Post and Courier for use against the "rain" ... and I soon saw how much times had changed since the first audience participation bug took hold back in 1979. In the golden age of RHPS the crowd used hand-held squirt guns. Last weekend we were hit with supersoakers.

Rocky Horror "virgins"show the audience what they REALLY learned in college.

While the shadowcast didn't look much like the movie's cast (except the woman playing Columbia ... HOLY CRAP did she nail it) they were a lively lot that never let the movie get boring. I had such a good time that I wasn't even disappointed when the storm knocked out power during the final minutes of the film. It just added to the chaotic fun of the evening's entertainment.

Riff Raff see through your bullshit.

So, if you live in South Carolina and want to see Rocky Horror, visit the Terrace Theater the first Friday of every month. I traveled about 5 hours for last weekend's screening and wasn't disappointed.

* I just want to see if she actually reads this thing. She took all of the photos on this page ... I was way too drunk to operate a camera.

The Art of Rocky Horror

This is one of the most unlikely discoveries I'll make this year: a portrait of Tim Curry from The Rocky Horror Picture Show spread over two canvasses.

This wasn't something I stumbled upon online (which wouldn't be all that impressive.) These paintings belong to two friends I recently made and are hanging just a few blocks from my workplace. I live in a really small town in South Carolina which makes the odds of this kind of discovery all the more unlikely.

The paintings are the work of Merissa Jones, an artist in Charlotte, N.C. This photo was taken with my cellphone and the flash was making it difficult to really capture a clear image. There are sequins glued to the painting that you can't see because of the odd angle, and the color looks a little muted here.

I've been trying to decipher the meaning behind the two canvasses. My first instinct was that Frank N. Furter's personality was simply too big to capture on one surface, but that didn't seem right. I'm more inclined to think there's a message here about the conscious and subconscious, or even that the two cancasses show the division of Frank's preoccupying appetites (which are above and below the waistline.)

Or maybe I'm just a pretentious twit and have missed the mark completely.

Rocky Horror Blog: Part 3

Not much new to report about the upcoming Rocky Horror screening I'm attending. A few problems here and there, most of which are related to finding a skullet wig to fit my huge head.

In the meantime, enjoy this story from a 1981 issue of Starburst magazine, a publication of Marvel UK. I had seen a few Rocky Horror notices here and there by 1981, but most of that was limited to the movie poster or newspaper ads. It wasn't until this Starburst story that I got my first real look at the film. I was confused, but intrigued. It had the word "horror" in the title, but the photos with the story didn't look like they came from a horror movie. And what was up with that manly looking woman in the doctor's scrubs?

It was a LONG time before I got my answers.

Below is a scan of the four-page Starburst story. It might not be legible after Photobucket gets done "processing" it, but it's worth a look anyway.

Chachi Vs. Rocky

Larry posted a link to this video on an earlier post, but it's so odd that I wanted to bring a little more attention to it: a clip from Charles in Charge that has cast members dressed for a Rocky Horror outing. Thanks, man!

Rocky Horror Blog: Part 2

I spent a few minutes last night trying on the various costume components for Riff Raff. The results were decidedly mixed.

The biggest part of the costume — the tuxedo jacket — arrived in the mail yesterday and it impressed upon me the importance of designer clothes: It was a little tight across the back and extremely tight on my arms. Since I'm going to be in the audience (and not part of the main performers on the stage) this isn't a big deal to me.

The skullet cap, on the other hand, might be a serious problem.

I've got a big head, so it wasn't much of a surprise when the wig didn't fit. My (mostly) anonymous partner in crime has two solutions to this problem: the first involves a thin cap that will fit under the skullet wig and hopefully keep the wig in place; the second involves shaving my head. Fortunately for me, solution #2 gets in the way of our Halloween costume plans for later in the year, so my scalp ought to be safe for the time being.

The rest of the costume is pretty much complete. I've got the gloves and shirt, but need a pair of spats to fit over my boots.

Rocky Horror Blog: Part 1

So, I'm going to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show next month ...

As anyone within earshot of my voice during the last two can tell you, I think of Rocky Horror as "Geek Mecca." I feel spiritually obliged to attend an audience participation show at least once in my life, or risk being damned to watch re-runs of Charles in Charge for all eternity. The geek god is a vengeful god.

During the next few weeks I'll be posting occasional thoughts on the experience, including the name of the theater I'll be visiting (assuming any of you freaks want to meet up) and photos from the gig. It's my goal to get my partner in crime for this event to share some thoughts about the trip, as well.

First up: the costume. It wasn't difficult settling on a character. I've spent most of my adult life looking like Meat Loaf, so there wasn't much novelty in dressing as Eddie. He's also the universal "I'm Not Gay!" character to dress as, which is kind of sissy.

Is that a contradiction in terms? I don't think it is. Sometimes it takes a real man to wear fishnets and panties. Unfortunately, I'm not that man.

So I opted for my favorite character from the film: Riff Raff. Arriving in the mail sometime during the next week are the first parts of my costume: a tuxedo jacket and a "skullet" wig. Pictures of both items are embedded. Make-up will still be required, so my masculinity remains unchallenged (if that makes any sense.)

I also have a standing offer from someone willing to shave my head for me. And by "willing" I mean "insistent." At the end of the day, though, I suspect that Richard O'Brien would prefer a full head of hair over a clean scalp, so I doubt he'd be too offended if I kept my flowing locks intact.

Now all that's left is to apply some pressure to "Magenta" to get her to talk about her costuming process. I'll make sure all relevant comments find their way to her e-mail.

- The Creep

Tim Curry live — 1978

 

My fantasy team of writers here at G33K4L1F3 are protesting the lack of sleep they've had this week and have walked off the set. I'll probably bring in some scab labor later in the day, but meanwhile enjoy this live video of Tim Curry singing one of the best tracks from The Rocky Horror Show, "I'm Going Home."

A Rocky Horror Frame of Mind

I've been thinking a lot about The Rocky Horror Picture Show lately. I've gone into long, not-all-that-interesting detail in the past about my inability to see the film with a real audience ... but that ought to be changing soon.

Which has me thinking about the kinds of peripheral RHPS experiences I've had to settle for over the last 30 years. I did a little browsing and came across some interesting RHPS-related artwork, as well as a download of the original movie trading cards. Enjoy!

ABOVE: The original pencil drawing, painted sketch and final proof for the Rock E. Horror card (also reprinted as Marty Gras) for the Garbage Pail Kids series. The art was by John Pound who, I think, did a little work for Marvel on the Howard the Duck magazine in the early 1980s. All roads lead to Howard the Duck.
The art above shows the process used to create this one card. Click them for a closer look.

Australian artist Ken Taylor created  two A-W-E-S-O-M-E posters for the Alamo Drafthouse’s screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Whenever I see this art I reflexively pump my fist in the air and make the "devil horns" thing with my fingers.
They were available for sale online as prints but appear to be no longer available.

 The Rocky Horror Picture Show is rather famous for taking its time to find an audience. When it did, though, it received a few collectibles more in line with a Star Wars film than an R-rated midnight movie. Among there was a set of trading cards in 1980, which someone named Red Spy scanned and uploaded for your pleasure.

Download the cards here.

Lastly, RHPS also got a movie magazine modeled on the kind made for Alien, The Empire Strikes Back and others. I couldn't find any scans of the magazine's interior, though.

Rocky Horror: The Game

The Commodore 64 was one of the greatest home computers ever. Even though game play has grown more sophisticated over the years, I don't think I've ever enjoyed a game system or PC quite as much at the old C64.

I'm not sure what was going on with the home computer market in those days. While it was certainly limited (I can't believe C64 sales were even a quarter of the Nintendo Entertainment System) there was a shocking array of games made for it. Such as Danger Mouse, The Evil Dead, two Aliens games and even one based on the Paul McCartney movie Give My Regards to Broad Street.

Also among the oddities was a game based on The Rocky Horror Show (sans Picture.) The game followed pretty close to the story of thestage play and movie. At least, I assumed it did ... I never beat the bastard thanks to that asshole Eddie, who rocketed his motorcycle across the screen at inopportune times and ended many a game. It's been 20+ years since I played the game and I still hold a grudge.

Adding to the game's complications were Magenta and Columbia, who would steal your clothes if you touched them. Hands covering your shame (so to speak) you'd have to locate your clothes before you could continue the game ... but Eddie'd probably get you no matter what you did, so why bother? Everything I know about nihilism I learned from the Rocky Horror game.

I don't remember how I came across the game but I didn't buy it (I don't remember ever seeing it in store, either.) I was part of a fairly elaborate network of game pirates at the time, guys who used charming nicknames like Dr. Abortion. My handle, not surprisingly, was Creepshow.

Addendum: It looks like I might have another chance to see Rocky Horror with an actual audience. More on that later.

Rocky turns 10

Here's a cool little novelty that sometimes shows up in auctions: a poster for an anniversary screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I believe the poster was killed and never put into use, which is a shame because it begs the question "Why don't we have Rocky Horror Barbies?"

Trading Card Crazy

For the last year I've gone mad with power concerning my new-found ability to acquire classic trading cards at lightning speed.

I didn't get bitten by a radioactive bug or anything. A combination of factors — specifically, the economy's tailspin combined with a general lack of interest in traditional collectibles — has made trading cards cheap and available.

How cheap? How about $4 for a set of Twin Peaks trading cards. Or $6 for a set of Tron cards. Or $5 for a factory sealed set of Robocop 2 cards.

While I'm not holding out hope that I'll ever be able to afford a set of Six Million Dollar Man cards, I've been very fortunate in my recent hunts. My latest trophy arrived today: a set of Rocky Horror Picture Show trading cards from 1980. A set of Star Trek: The Motion Picture stickers ought to be in my mailbox tomorrow.

If you're not interested in actually hunting for these cards and just want a vendor with decent inventory and inexpensive prices, make sure you check out Marchant Non-Sport Cards. While they participate in Ebay auctions, I've found their direct-sales prices to be so reasonable that auctions are often unnecessary.

What's white and sells hamburgers?

Confessions of a Rocky Horror Virgin

So, I'm talking to Buck Dharma outside Rocky's nightclub in Charlotte, N.C., around 1993 ...

(This isn't the oddest story involving members of Blue Oyster Cult I could share with you. It's not even a story about BOC, so be patient.)

Rocky's used to be a nightclub on Independence Boulevard, an establishment that changed hands and names so often that I've lost track of its spiraling personality disorder. I think Public Enemy was on the bill the week before BOC played the club, which should give you an example of how effed up this place was. It changed names so often that it might not even have been called Rocky's when this story (kinda) begins.

I think it was the second or third time I saw Blue Oyster Cult, and afterward I worked up the nerve to flag down the band members afterward for some autographs and a quick chat. Next door was a theater (which was closed at that point) called the Silver Screen Cafe, which had been the best place in town for midnight movies. Frozen on its roadside sign were the last movies it had played before going out of business. One of them was Heavy Metal, for which BOC contributed a song.

I believe the Silver Screen Cafe was also the place to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I've been a Rocky Horror fan forever, but would you believe I've never had the chance to see it in an actual theater? Ever? The opportunity has literally never presented itself.

It's not that I've never been in the same town as a Rocky Horror screening. But there were always social barriers between me and the movie ... which is understandable when you're an underage military brat. Asking an adult to take me to something like Rocky Horror would have been like asking them to sit with me on a float at a Gay Pride Parade. It doesn't especially matter that I'm not gay, but since I didn't share the Universal Sense of Disgust(tm) that all right-thinking Americans were supposed to share, then I might as well have been. It was the 1980s, after all.

You can see how this situation actually made me more curious about the movie, and how its content so easily won me over.

I had spent most of my childhood wondering what was so appealing about that strange, perverse movie. I'd first seen ads for it in newspapers in the late 1970s in Virginia, then read an article about it in Starburst magazine after Shock Treatment was released. When my family moved to Charleston, S.C., the first thing we did after arriving was see The Terminator ... which was playing across the street from a theater showing Rocky Horror. I've got a memory for certain details that is a category 4 Rainman.

One birthday in Charleston, though, I found myself at a mall with a pocket full of cash. Some vendors were selling movie posters in the walkway and I picked up the original one-sheets for Back to the Future and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

And, at a record store, I bought The Rocky Horror Picture Show Audience Participation Album. I had NO idea what I was getting myself in for.

I grew up in the military, so I had heard profanity. I'd also heard a few Richard Pryor albums, as well as Eddie Murphy's first (and only?) two comedy albums. So, at age 14, there weren't a lot of words I'd hadn't heard.

But there was a feeling of chaos on the Rocky Horror album that was a little terrifying to me. In a good way. By this point I enjoyed a good audience response to a film because that sense of energy is contagious. It's the reason we watch movies together.

The Rocky Horror recording sounded like outright anarchy, though. Only it wasn't. While everyone was screaming their lungs out, they seemed to be doing so in chorus with each other. And it was hilarious.

For parental security reasons I had to listen to this album with headphones on. I was also left wondering about some of the gags that obviously involved something on-screen which, of course, I couldn't see on a record. But I was intrigued and have loved the movie ever since ... even if I didn't see it until the inevitable home video release around 1990.