Rocky Horror Picture Show Strikes Again

It had to happen sooner or later.  Remakes of hit films are an almost sure way of bringing in money to the box office.  Well, that is what most people think.  But remaking a film is often very tricky.  If the original film was not too well made to begin with then there is always room for improvement.  But if the film was a hit then the remake is going to have to offer something unique. 

One of the hit films of the seventies was the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  This film was first seen in 1975.  It starred a young Susan Sarandon, Meat Loaf and Tim Curry.  It had started out as a stage musical in 1973. 

The person who created the Rocky Horror Picture Show is Richard O’Brien.  Neither he nor any of the cast knew their low budget film would turn into a cult classic.  The world was becoming obsessed with aliens and UFO’s.  O’Brien came up with a story that revolved around an average middle-American twosome.  The characters Brad and Janet  come into contact with aliens.  This all happens by chance and the uptight couple is exposed to a bizarre world of ‘alien transvestites and overt sexuality’ in the house of Dr Frank'n'Furter, played by Curry.

The film gripped audiences around the world.  Many people were quite taken aback at the open display of transvestitism.  It was an unusual topic to place in a musical show.  The songs and tunes were very catchy and memorable, like The TimeWarp and Dammit Janet.  O’Brien had a hit on his hands.  Audiences flocked to see men in stockings, suspenders and stilettos.  It became trendy to know all the words to all the songs.  People held competitions to see who had seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show the most.  Eventually, whole audiences would sing along with the words throughout the film.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show has continued to be presented to audiences around the world as a stage musical.  Its camp and kitsch appeal has never waned.  Now, it is going to be made into a new version on film.  This was confirmed on Wednesday.  It was stated that MTV in the US and Sky Movies in the UK would finance the remake of the film.  It was also mentioned that O’Brien would be the co-producer.  But according to him ‘he would not be involved in any way’.  O’Brien told the BBC the remaking of the film ‘does not have my blessing’.  He went on to add that he only became aware of this when he saw cuttings about the remake.  These were sent to him by his friends.

Jim Sharman was the co-writer of the first screenplay.  He also directed the film.  He explained there are ‘certain qualities’ of the original film that would be impossible to do over again.  He believed a remake must come up with its own unique ‘strengths and qualities’.  Fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show will see its premier on the Sky Movies Channel.