5th Annual Primetime Halloween Spooktacular- ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975)

Presenting Primetime's Fifth Annual Halloween Spooktacular Backyard Movie Event! Think of it as a cool party wrapped up in one of our backyard movies.

First let me make one thing clear. This is not a spook house. No one's going to be jumping out of shadows or chasing you with chainsaws. It is simply a spooky atmospheric way to get you ready for one of my favorites days of the year. Its all treats and no tricks. We are encouraging costumes although they are not required. We'll have a photo booth set up so you can capture your costume brilliance for all to see. In line with the movie, the general theme will be Rocky Horror, and you can go all sorts of ways with that.

Growing up in West Texas, it was somewhat amazing that I was even aware of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW phenomenon at all. Ozona, Texas was not exactly the target audience for such things. As a result, I first became aware of ROCKY HORROR while watching another favorite film of mine - Alan Parker's joyous tribute the New York City's High School for the Performing Arts, FAME (1980). In that film, there is a lengthy sequence with several of the artsy students going to the original ROCKY HORROR fan event at the now tragically demolished 8th Street Playhouse in Greenwich Village in New York City. The whole ROCKY HORROR thing really began there as a series of Friday and Saturday midnight showings after a disastrous attempt to release this wonderful oddity in "regular" theaters failed miserably. Since then ROCKY HORROR has often been credited with starting the cult movie craze, although I suspect that THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968), Alejandro Jodorowsky's EL TOPO (1970), and the original THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) might take some issue with that belief. Of the four movies, ROCKY HORROR probably wasn't even the strangest, a designation that clearly belongs to EL TOPO.

But ROCKY HORROR had one thing that made it stand out and become the cult phenomenon it became and still remains today. And as I suspect you have already guessed, it is that one thing that makes showing it this year particularly appropriate.

Rest in Peace Tim Curry, truly one of the most underrated and under-appreciated actors of the last 50 years. And I don't say that lightly.

English born Timothy James Curry passed away on last August 25, an event that was followed by truly heartfelt outpourings of grief and fond tributes from fans and industry heavyweights all over the world. If you've been under a rock for the last 50 years and truly didn't understand what the big deal was with Tim Curry, I welcome you to come find out in perhaps his most famous role. This was the role that justifiably made him a genuine and legitimate star, and the fact that he was able to take his completely over-the-top performance in ROCKY HORROR and manage to move beyond it in over 240 other film and stage performances is perhaps unparalleled in this business. After all...once you've been Frank-N-Furter, it's pretty hard for audiences to see you as anything else.

So...for you ROCKY HORROR virgins who have really never seen this movie...THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW tells the story of two white bread young kids named Brad and Janet (played by the very young Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) who have an unfortunate flat in a terrible storm just after becoming engaged. Of course Brad has forgotten to get that spare tire fixed. But wait! Didn't they see a castle about a half a mile back up the road?

From the moment the handyman Riff-Raff admits the two literal virgins into the castle they are subjected to a naughty combination of FRANKENSTEIN (1931), 1940's and 50's sci-fi movies, and the wildest, most decadent sexually liberated party you ever went to (but didn't tell your parents about). It is filled with transvestites, odd party guests, murder, sexual escapades with questionable consent, cannibalism, monsters that look like bronze muscle men, chainsaws, motorcycle gangs, and Meat Loaf.

Yeah. That Meat Loaf. Of Two Out of Three Aint Bad and Paradise By the Dashboard Light fame.

Did I mention that this is a musical?

And overlording it all is the Master of Ceremonies Frank-N-Furter - Tim Curry in his most outrageous role in a career full of outrageous roles.

And strangely enough...although the subject matter and going ons are clearly adult in nature, there's not a speck of nudity or really even foul language in the film. At the time just about any movie that mentioned "alternative lifestyles" would be rated "R", although today I suspect this film would barely rate PG-13.

It's not dirty. It's just wonderfully naughty, crazy, and weird.

And back to our initial question of whether ROCKY HORROR started the cult movie craze, I can only add that there is only one ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Creator Richard O-Brien's attempt to create a sequel called SHOCK TREATMENT (1981) many years later was met with a resounding yawn. Movies like NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE have spawned dozens of sequels, remakes, and TV shows each.

But there will never be another ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. And that's how it should be. So come give yourself over to absolute pleasure and get ready to do the Time Warp again. If we have enough brave souls we might even do a costume contest (with prizes!).

This will be an audience participation event, and instructions and survival kits will be given at the door.

Bring your own bug spray and lawn chairs. There will be free hot dogs, movie candies, movie nachos, slushies, ice cream, and popcorn. Maybe some other stuff.

BYOB. We don't serve alcohol. I'll have some soft drinks and water, but if you're picky, bring your own on that as well.

We'll socialize for about an hour before the movie, which will start around 7:20. There will be my usual special Halloween-themed Alamo Drafthouse style preshow. Preshow will be playing when you walk in. There will be no early admittance to the event to allow it get dark and preserve some of the surprises. Doors will open at 6:20.

RAIN POLICY - If the weather forces us to postpone, we'll announce it on this page. But I really want to do it before Halloween.

CARPOOLS - My parking around here really is limited thanks to overbuilding on nearby lots, so carpooling is encouraged. There's lots of Uber Robo-Taxis around here, and they're fun!