Based on the successful British fringe musical, The Rocky Horror Picture shows mix of sex and rock n roll was never going to appeal to matinee audiences accustomed to watching Chuck Heston save the day, and the movie bombed on its initial release. As a midnight attraction, though, it had everything: the songs encouraged audience participation, the dialogue was tailor-made to be quoted aloud and fancy dress aficionados could arrive wearing the costume of their favourite character. The film challenged the passive nature of moviegoing, which is what midnight cinema is all about. You didnt have to be a fan of the genre that was being sent up, know that Charles Grays character was a parody of 1950s True Life crime shorts or even understand the references in the opening song (Science Fiction Double Feature) to have a good time. A good movie is only half the experience; the rest hinges on a receptive audience.
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
