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.