MovieChat Forums > The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) Discussion > Are screenings still a 'thing'?

Are screenings still a 'thing'?

posted 10 years ago by Fluke_Skywalker
24 replies | jump to latest

I'll preface this by saying that I've never even seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but I recently saw an article about a proposed remake and it sparked a memory.

When I was in college (early-mid 90s) there was this art house theater downtown that played TRHPS on Saturday nights at midnight. I don't recall if this was weekly or monthly, but it was a regularly scheduled thing. A friend of mine went to a screening once (perhaps more than once) and he said that it was a packed house, with people in costume and there was enthusiastic audience participation et. Exactly the sort of atmosphere the uninitiated like my self would imagine it would be.

In the years since I suppose I've always had this image in my head that TRHPS has maintained this robust fandom and that these sorts of screenings are still commonplace in cities and towns all over the world, but is that still the case? Are there still groups of people going to see this for the umpteenth time as part of their social lives "Hey, Bob. How ya been? Oh, shhhh! The movie's starting."?

I may not be a TRHPS fan, but as you can see by my username/avatar, I do understand fandom and I'd be curious to hear some thoughts on the state of this particular one in the 21st century.

----
A journey into the realm of the obscure: http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com/

[–] OldFriendOfTheChristys 10 years ago

I can't speak for the entire country, but where I live, a handful of theaters screen the film, usually around Halloween, though I don't know if "full audience participation" is encouraged or even permitted. I've actually only watched it on the small screen - and may very well keep it that way. I love Rocky Horror as it is; the idea of people calling Brad an a**hole and tossing toast at the screen doesn't appeal to me in the slightest.

[–] MyDarkStar 10 years ago

If you go here you can see a list of about 100 theaters that show it regularly :

http://www.rockyhorror.com/participation/showtimes_listings.php?type=r

I'd say that qualifies saying it's still a "thing".

[–] Fluke_Skywalker 10 years ago

Thank you both for the responses. MyDarkStar, that link was particularly helpful. That's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you both again.

For anyone else to follow, if you still attend or have attended recently, how would you describe the atmosphere of these screenings vs. 20-30 years ago?

----
A journey into the realm of the obscure: http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com/

[–] Mickyfinn 10 years ago

I haven't attended in quite a while. Locally, it was a long time before there was a live cast. Even before I stopped attending the theatre was banning the toast, cards, etc. I guess for clean up costs. I always thought the RHPS crowds were all for the fun (kind of 'kindred spirits', all fans). But lately it seems all kinds of crowds can get a little surly. Maybe I'm just getting old...

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

[–] RedZin 8 years ago

In the early 80s, I regularly attended midnight showings of Rocky Horror at the Tiffany theatre in Hollywood. Audience participation was most definitely encouraged and expected (rice, toast, yelling at the screen, etc.). People would come dressed as their favorite character, it was lots of fun. Plus they always showed a couple of Tim Curry music videos before the show ('Paradise Garage' and 'I do the rock'. Great times!

[–] hummerqueen33 10 years ago

I alternate between playing Brad and Magenta in Sacramento, California, we do about 4 shows a year.always sells out in the bay there are casts that do at least every other week.

[–] wolfnick75 10 years ago

Theater near me in Cincinnati does a show every two weeks. Full with a cast and audience participation

[–] angeladurgin-637-120318 10 years ago

Yes! Where I live. Every Saturday night. Complete with a full preshow and you can even buy
Everything you need for audience participation for $1 called a bag o sh!t. Lol

[–] WatchingYouReadThis 10 years ago

OldFriendOfTheChristys

More people need to throw toast at movie screens, and Brad does need to know that he is an a**hole. It's pivotal in the progression of humanity.

[–] Jodyb22 10 years ago

I live in New Orleans and went to a showing just last night. It was at a small art house Theatre that still has a balcony as well as a stage. It's called The Prytania Theatre and if you're ever in town they do a screening once a month at midnight with a live shadow cast and the props are welcome but not sold, you have to bring them yourself. We had the rice, newspaper, small flashlight, rubber gloves, party hats, and toilet paper. Most people also did the bread and playing cards too, but I didn't see anyone do the bologna/hot dogs or other "Frisbee meats". That might have gotten banned because if it doesn't get picked up, that'll leave a nasty stench.

I'd say the theatre was about 80% full so it was pretty crowded. Most were doing the shout-outs at the screen. Our group of 10 was costumed, but I'd say less than half in the theatre were costumed- maybe 35-40% of the whole audience.

[–] DoctorPotter 10 years ago

Saw a Shadow Cast production screening at a local sci fi convention tonight, from a group that is apparently long island's official shadow cast for RHPS. So around here I guess it is

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Apples are rubbish

[–] Fluke_Skywalker 10 years ago

If you'll forgive my ignorance; what's a "shadow cast"?

On a side note, since I posted this I watched the movie The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, in which the characters participate in screenings of TRHPS. I do believe it's supposed to be set in the 90s, however.

----
A journey into the realm of the obscure: http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com/

[–] beersandshots 10 years ago

Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyCX3DY78D8.

"In a time of universal deceit,
telling the truth is a revolutionary act."
George Orwell

[–] Fluke_Skywalker 10 years ago

Ahhh, okay, that's exactly what they did in Perks Of Being A Wallflower. Thanks for the knowledge.

----
A journey into the realm of the obscure: http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com/

[–] ZeoRangerFive 9 years ago

Definitely still a thing. I know of a few places near me that still do it.

That being said, I went to a screening once and I don't think I ever will again. I have never felt so uncomfortable and out of place than I did at the screening of this film.

I love this movie, I'm not ashamed of saying I love it, I love the soundtrack. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into, but for some odd reason I just felt uncomfortable there. I really don't know why it might be because I just felt weird interacting or something I have no idea, but if that's your thing go for it. I will say I've never been in a situation where I don't know why I'm uncomfortable like this, but whatever.

Dragonzord! Mastodon! Pterodactyl! Triceratops! Saber Toothed Tiger! Tyrannosaurus!

[–] Fluke_Skywalker 9 years ago

Just playing junior psychologist here, but I'd assume anyone going to one of these for the first time would be uncomfortable. Most of the people there have probably done it X number of times, many may even know one another, at least socially. It's no different than walking into the break room at a new job. How comfortable would you feel chiming in on a conversation or discussion? Even if you know the topic forward and backward.

With your first time out of the way, I can only imagine you'd feel much more comfortable the second time around.

----
A journey into the realm of the obscure: http://saturdayshowcase.blogspot.com/

[–] mtdman-90-390951 9 years ago

I like going to the screenings, yelling at the screen, telling Brad he's an a-hole and Janet that she is a slut. Throwing stuff, etc. It's a real blast, and I think the audience parts are often very clever. I try to go at least once a month.