The Rocky Horror Picture Show is adapted from a rock stage musical of same title [by Richard O’Brien] set in a spooky castle deep in the heart of Ohio. Into it on a rain-swept night stumble affianced Janet and Brad, wholesome straights, hoping to find a telephone, but finding instead the earthy lair of some weirdos from the planet Transylvania. Chief freak therein is the bisexual Frank N. Furter, played with relish by Tim Curry, who first seduces Janet (Susan Sarandon) and then conquers Brad (Barry Bostwick).
The plot mixture also includes Curry’s ‘monster’ creation, rippling-muscled Rocky; a revenging scientist; Riff Raff (O’Brien), Curry’s hunch-backed lackey; and assorted groupies of which Magenta and Columbia (Patricia Quinn and Nell Campbell) are most prominent.
Overall, however, most of the jokes that might have seemed jolly fun on stage now appear obvious and even flat. The sparkle’s gone.
