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Five Fun Facts About "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

It's October and that means it's time to revisit the cult classic. So dress up as your favorite character, grab some toast and a water gun and read on for some fun facts!

Still of Patricia Quinn, Little Nell Campbell and Tim Curry from the Rocky Horror Picture show by Mick Rock

1. It was originally a stage show


Originally titled "The Rocky Horror Show" the production started out of London in the early 1970s. The show premiered in the small 60-seat Royal Court Theatre, but quickly moved to larger venues in London and then the US, including the Roxy in LA and at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway.

Tim Curry performing as Frankenfurter in the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Roxy in Los Angeles
Tim Curry at the Roxy in Los Angeles

Original cast members who starred in the film include Tim Curry, Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Richard O'Brien. Speaking of O'Brien...


2. Richard O'Brien (AKA "Riff Raff") wrote it


The screenplay was co-written by director of the film Jim Shaman and actor Richard O'Brien (Riff Raff). As for the original stage show, music, book, and lyrics are all by O'Brien. So all those magnificent songs you hear, are courtesy of Riff Raff himself!

Richard O'Brien sitting on a throne in a still for the Rocky Horror Picture Show as Riff Raff

3. It was Tim Curry's film debut

The Rocky Horror Picture Show poster

I know. Hard to believe. Tim Curry's first full-time role was as part of the original London cast of the musical Hair in 1968, where he met Richard O'Brien and the rest is history. AND a fun fact within a fun fact: Mick Jagger was denied the role of Frank N. Furter for the film.


4. The weird sequel...


Although not an outright sequel, 1981's "Shock Treatment" features several characters from the previous film, some played by new actors and some returning. The film was also directed by Jim Sharman, and co-written by Sharman and O'Brien. It was a critical and commercial failure...

Shock Treatment 1981 still

The plot is basically about Brad and Janet, now married, living in a world centered around reality T.V...yeah glad I skipped out on this one! But Dame Edna is in it...do with that information what you will.


5. The Time Warp was written as a time filler


The original script was only forty minutes long. The now iconic song "The Time Warp" was written to fill up space!

Still from the Time Warp scene of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

What was your favorite fun fact? Mine has to be "The Time Warp" being filler. Now I can't go a Halloween without dancing to it! Happy Haunting everyone and remember "Don't Dream it. Be it!"


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