Few “B” movies have ever enjoyed the cult-like following that continues to surround The Rocky Horror Picture Show (RHPS) released in 1975. Part musical, part horror flick, with a good dose of science fiction thrown in, it is a film that might have been easily forgotten, had midnight theater audiences not embraced it and made it their own. But they did - and for decades now, generations of young people have made a late-night viewing of the film a rite of passage, and in some cases, a lifestyle.

The film’s premise is simple. Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon,) a newly-engaged couple, become stranded during a rainstorm. They seek refuge at a nearby castle, disregarding the sign that says “Enter at your own risk” and are met at the door by Riff-Raff (Richard O’Brien,) the hunchbacked butler. He graciously invites them inside and after introducing them to the maid, Magenta, and engaging in a bit of idle chit-chat, the butler breaks into song and dance, introducing the couple to a little ditty called “The Time Warp”. It turns out that the Annual Transylvanian Convention is underway at the castle and the colorful guests all join in on the dance routine.

Janet has misgivings about staying any longer than need be but before she can talk Brad into leaving, they meet their host, the good Dr. Frank –N-Furter (Tim Curry), a mad scientist dressed from head to toe in fabulous drag. In song, he explains that he’s “just a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania.” He also tells them about his latest obsession, a boy toy he is building to relive his sexual tension. After the doctor leaves, via the elevator he arrived in, the couple is promptly disrobed to their underwear by Riff Raff and Magenta and brought to the lab. Here, the doctor unveils his blond creation, Rocky, who is brought to life ala Frankenstein’s monster and immediately shows that he has a penchant for song as well. Frank is certainly pleased with the results and is touting Rocky’s physique when Eddie the biker (Meatloaf) crashes his motorcycle through the lab walls and disrupts the festivities, much to Frank’s annoyance. Frank (knowing how to pick his friends) promptly proceeds to kill Eddie with a pick axe, then goes off to consummate his new relationship with Rocky.

As the other castle guests depart for the evening, Brad and Janet are shown to separate rooms for the evening, where they are each paid a visit by the Doctor, who has his way with them. Meanwhile, the butler decides to torture Rocky with a bit of fire, causing him to flee and Janet discovers that she isn’t the only one that has been unfaithful, seeing the Doctor and Brad together on a video screen. She encounters Rocky and decides that perhaps her desires haven’t quite been fully satisfied yet. When Frank finds out the monster is missing, he proceeds to punish the butler with a whip. Meanwhile, a new visitor has arrived at the castle, a wheelchair-bound friend of Brad named Dr. Scott, who is searching for his missing nephew, Eddie. After introductions are made, Frank discovers Janet and Rocky have been getting to know each other – intimately. Before he can react, Magenta announces that dinner is served – a nice cannibalistic course of meatloaf ala’ Eddie, whose corpse is resting under the tablecloth. Upon this shocking discovery, everyone flees the room, only to be frozen in statue form by Frank-N-Furter and friends.

After acting rather rudely towards his faithful servants, Riff Raff and Magenta, Frank announces it is time for the floorshow. Now on stage, one by one, each statue is brought back to life to lend an involuntary voice to the musical production. But clearly, Frank is the star of this show. He breaks into song, first solo, then accompanied by the other “performers” in the swimming pool. Unfortunately, the fun is spoiled by Riff and Magenta, who are now dressed much differently, revealing that they, along with Frank, are actually aliens from the planet Transexual, in the galaxy of Transylvania. They have had enough of Frank and his antics and, thanks to a pitchfork-like weapon, they decide to put an end to Frank and his creature, but mercifully let Janet, Brad, and Dr. Scott escape before they beam the entire house back home.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show was based on the British stage show, The Rocky Horror Show, both of which were the brainchild of Richard O’Brien (Riff Raff) who wrote the play and the eventual screenplay. He also composed all of the songs. The RHPS did not do well in its initial run but as a midnight movie, it has been enormously successful, enjoying over 30 years of continuous showings all around the world. Fans dress in costume, act out the film in front of the screen and interact wildly with the movie, which seems to be a perfect environment for audience participation. They not only respond verbally to the various set-ups in the film but also physically - such as shooting water-pistols in the air during the storm scene and throwing rice during the wedding scene. It is a spectacle best experienced in person.

So grab those garter belts, fill up the water-pistol and find the nearest theater offering midnight shows. No matter how reserved you are when you enter, you will soon be indoctrinated into the ways of Rocky Horror, an experience not soon forgotten.