I was re-watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show the other day – and the moment Tim Curry steps out of the lift? It’s instantly gripping. From the first gait to the last note, he owns every frame. And Susan Sarandon? Pure gold.
Whether you’re watching the film for the first time or it’s a Halloween ritual, this cult classic is a wild ride through sci-fi, sex and rock ‘n’ roll.
Here are the weirdest, funniest, and most mind-blowing facts you (probably) never knew about The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Why Tim Curry got the role
Talk about the film ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and not mention Tim Curry? Impossible!!! This was Tim Curry’s theatrical film debut and he absolutely nailed the role of Dr Frank-N-Furter, an alien transvestite scientist who grabs your attention from the very first scene.
The reason Curry took the role to film is because he had already played the same character in a 1973 theatre production written by Richard O’Brien.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show garnered an incredible 2,960 performances in London, and Tim Curry’s rousing performance was the pulse of the entire production, so when it came time to cast for the film version, it was a no-brainer to invite him.
A muscular man who can sing
The story of how Curry got the part is actually quite funny, and it says a lot about his confidence as a young, aspiring actor.
‘I heard about the play because I lived in Paddington Street, just off Baker Street, and a few doors down from it was an old gymnasium. I saw Richard O’Brien in the street and he said he had just been to the gym to see if he could find a muscular man who could sing. I asked: ‘Why do you need him to sing?’ [And he told me that his musical was going to be done and I should talk to Jim Sharman. He gave me the script, and I thought, ‘Gosh, if this works, it’s going to be a success,’’ Curry says.
Curry gained weight after the film – to cover up
The film The Rocky Horror Picture Show made Curry a household name and brought him a loyal fan base. Over the years, however, Curry was hesitant to discuss the film because he had to deal with overly enthusiastic fans.
He told VH1 that he even gained weight to look ‘chubby and plain.’ It was an attempt to distance himself from the role of Frank.
He is now more relaxed about the film and even considers it a ‘rite of passage’ for teens.
In 2015, Curry said the film was ‘a guaranteed weekend party to go to with or without a date and maybe find one if you don’t have one, and it’s also a chance for people to try on a few roles for themselves, you know? Find out, help them maybe figure out their own sexuality.’
No picnic
Filming The Rocky Horror Picture Show wasn’t a walk in the park for everyone involved. Unlike the wild atmosphere of a stage show, everything on set was business-like. With only five weeks to shoot, the cast and crew had to get to the studio early every day – especially Tim Curry, whose complex make-up took four hours to apply. Curry eventually learnt to do it himself to save time.
How Meat Loaf did the song
When re-watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I always notice a funny moment when none other than Meat Loaf appears as Eddie. There are a lot of great behind-the-scenes stories associated with him, but one of my favourites?
Richard O’Brien was worried that Meat Loaf wouldn’t be able to handle the fast-paced song ‘Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul.’ So he handed him the sheet music and said: ‘It’s all right if he misses a line or two. Nobody in the London troupe has ever sung this song properly anyway.’ Meat Loaf looked at him and carelessly replied, ‘What’s the problem?’ – And then sang the entire song perfectly on the first try.
The dramatic exit was not planned
One of the most memorable moments in the film is when Dr Everett W. Scott bursts onto the stage, crashing straight into a wall. Surprisingly, this dramatic exit wasn’t originally planned – it happened because the film crew forgot to switch on an extra door in the lab.
The royal confession shocked Curry
Fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show span the globe, but one of the most unexpected and famous fans has been Princess Diana. When Tim Curry was performing in Austria, he was informed that the princess wanted to meet him. When they were finally introduced to each other, Diana flashed a ‘sly smile’ and said that ‘Rocky Horror’ had ‘pretty much completed my education.’
Curry shared the story during an interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, recounting how he met King Charles III and Princess Diana after a performance of ‘Love for Love.’ He recalled being seated at the back of the reception queue. Prince Charles politely but vaguely acknowledged, saying he had seen Curry ‘on television’, but Diana’s reaction was unforgettable. Her candid comment about how the iconic film had affected her only confirmed how deeply it resonated even with members of the royal family.
When acting became too real
I’m not sure if you noticed this, especially if you’re a true Rocky Horror fan, but during the iconic dinner scene, Barry Bostwick really got wound up and accidentally slammed his fist on the table – right on Susan Sarandon’s hand. Her reaction?
Absolutely real pain. But she got her revenge (unintentionally) later in ‘The Floor Show’ when she stepped on his foot with her stiletto heel. His grimace caught on camera? Also 100% genuine. Talk about casual revenge – with a dash of glamour…..
Susan Sarandon
The film was shot in the autumn and winter of 1974 in the UK, mostly at Bray Studios and an old country estate called Oakley Court.
Apparently the film set was cold and had no bathrooms. Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors, says he was wet the whole time because the castle was leaking. The cast had one ‘warm room’ with space heaters to keep them warm, but guess what, that room actually caught fire.
Tim Curry, Peter Hinwood and Susan Sarandon / Getty Images
When Susan Sarandon voiced her concerns, studio executives brushed them off. After filming a pool scene in a revealing outfit, she developed pneumonia. Richard O’Brien recalled that she was ‘shaking with fever’ and ‘had to be under a doctor’s care,’ but she refused to stop working, and her battered body and health were not noticed by anyone in the cinema.
Speaking of Barry Bostwick: he and Susan Sarandon actually dated during filming. Richard O’Brien accidentally revealed this back in 2013.
A scene that almost became nude
Playing Janet Weiss, the film’s sexy lead character, Sarandon was in various states of undress throughout the film. One of Janet’s most memorable moments is her sexual awakening during the song ‘Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me,’ performed opposite Rocky by Peter Hinwood, who was a model at the time.
‘Peter, of course, was the shyest and quietest. I think he was traumatised by having to do that scene with me,’ Sarandon recalled.
The film makers wanted Susan Sarandon to go completely nude for this scene, but she refused – despite having already appeared nude in other films.
However, they hoped she would indeed get completely naked for that iconic song in Peter Hinwood’s Rocky Horror. Sarandon stuck to her opinion and did not go completely nude.
However, her daring performance caught Playboy’s attention and for several years afterwards they tried to persuade her to star nude. In a 1991 interview she said: ‘They’ve been after me since The Rocky Horror Picture Show.’
Susan Sarandon doesn’t want to talk about the film
Susan Sarandon revealed that she never planned to try out for the role of Janet. She just stopped by the film set to visit her friend Tim Curry.
The producers noticed her and asked her if she wanted to try out. They had heard some good singers but couldn’t find anyone who could bring the humour Janet needed. Sarandon initially declined, saying she didn’t really like singing and was even a little afraid to sing.
Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn and Jonathan Adams in a scene from the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975. (Photo: Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images)
When they asked if she could at least sing Happy Birthday, she said yes – and that was enough to convince them. They liked her performance and cast her, but Sarandon admits it was a fluke. She also expresses frustration that none of the cast received royalties from DVD sales, which sometimes makes her reluctant to talk about the film.
Rain or no rain?
In the scene in ‘In Frankenstein’s Place’ when Janet uses newspaper to protect her head from the rain, the prop was specially coated with plastic to withstand repeated getting wet.
However, the plastic didn’t cover the entire newspaper – one corner, where Susan Sarandon was holding it, was left uncovered to preserve the natural look. While water is visibly dripping off most of the newspaper, the corner in her hand remains dry, making it clear that part of the prop didn’t actually get wet.
Also, Janet’s cardigan during the song ‘Over at the Frankenstein Place’ starts out blue, but when she meets Riff Raff, it magically turns white.
And there’s another fun detail of Janet’s wardrobe that’s worth pointing out the next time you see the film. Her shoes are black at the beginning, but by the time she and Brad get to the lab, they mysteriously turn white.
An unexpected twist in a wheelchair
At the climax of the film, as Magenta and Riff Raff prepare to transport the castle, Brad and Janet carry Dr Scott away from the scene. After the castle explodes and blows up, all three lie scattered about the grounds.
Interestingly, Dr Scott is resting on the shattered remains of his wheelchair – even though he wasn’t using it just a few minutes ago.
Mistaken for an imposter
When Tim Curry was living in New York, he noticed fans dressing up for midnight sessions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Curious, he called the theatre and asked if he could join one of the shows. Fans were happy to see him, but the theatre staff didn’t believe it was really Tim Curry and called him an ‘imposter,’ even kicking him out.
After Curry confirmed his identity, the staff apologised, but by then he had decided not to return. Just imagine how embarrassing it was for those staffers who misjudged the star….
What are your favourite memories from this classic film? Are there any bloopers or behind-the-scenes stories you think I missed that should definitely be on this list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
