Boston celebrates 50 years of "Rocky Horror" with doc screening
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Tim Curry and Nell Campbell in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" has outlived the Soviet Union, Y2K and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Boston-area fans will celebrate its legacy on Saturday with a documentary showing that pays tribute to the cult classic and its fandom.
The big picture: What began as a box-office flop has turned into the longest-running theatrical film in history — all thanks to midnight screenings that began 50 years ago this month.
- The film, and the shadowcasts reenacting it in Boston and beyond, have fostered community among LGBTQ+ youth and self-described "outcasts."
Catch up quick: Linus O'Brien, the son of "Rocky Horror" creator Richard O'Brien, released the film he directed, "Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror," in September to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the original film's release.
- The documentary features interviews with stars Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, executive producer Lou Adler and fans like Jack Black.
Thrusting the news: Linus O'Brien plans to visit Boston this weekend as part of a re-release tour.
- He'll appear at the Alamo Theater for a Q&A following a screening of "Strange Journey" on Saturday.
What they're saying: "I think Rocky will outlive us all," he tells Axios.
- The words "community and connection" often come to mind when "Rocky Horror" comes up in conversation, he adds.
- "I think we're all looking for that as human beings, and I think 'Rocky' has provided that."
Between the lines: Part of the film's charm is what fans describe as its innate queerness (maybe it's the lasers, maybe it's Frank-N-Furter's fishnet stockings).
- The documentary explores that and Richard O'Brien's own journey identifying as genderfluid, 30 years after "Rocky Horror's" debut.
State of play: Boston-area theaters have held late-night screenings for "Rocky Horror" for decades.
- The local shadowcast, Full Body Cast, has been active for four decades, with costumes, props for the audience and sometimes profane callbacks.
- These days, the shadowcast performs at the AMC Loews Boston Common on Saturdays.
- In October 2024, FBC celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with an all-Latiné shadow cast.
What we're watching (with antici—pation): The documentary's set to be releasedJune 9 on video on demand.