“Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” – Again
by Olivia_Allin, HSM team writer and photographer
Michael Rennie was ill
The Day the Earth Stood Still
But he told us where we stand
And Flash Gordon was there
In silver underwear
Claude Rains was The Invisible Man
Then something went wrong
For Fay Wray and King Kong
They got caught in a celluloid jam
Then at a deadly pace
It Came From Outer Space
And this is how the message ran…
(Science Fiction/Double Feature lyrics)
Thirty-six years ago, a British stage play was adapted into a movie. With a virtually unknown cast and a controversial subject matter, it was tested in a few markets and failed epically.
On April Fools’ Day, 1976, a young advertising executive at 20th Century Fox persuaded the Waverly Theater to replace its midnight show with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. After a few showings, the new party like atmosphere spawned a life of its own. It had become an audience participation event.
I first saw the movie on some cable premium channel, and while somewhat amused and surprised, I didn’t understand its cult following. It wasn’t until my husband took me to a midnight showing that I finally understood.
If you never have been to the midnight showing of this movie, you can’t imagine what goes on there. This movie takes 3-D to the next level. The show is literally all around you! And I’ll warn you without being a spoiler, if you are looking for a quiet date night out, maybe there is a showing of Dawn of the Dead or El Topo you would enjoy more. The soundtrack is awesome and features an appearance from none other than Meat Loaf.
Now, it has taken a new direction. The movie that not only wouldn’t die but is still showing around the world is coming to Home. That’s right, it’s time to do the Time Warp again.
Newcomer developers Psych, have burst onto the Home scene with an instant classic, and they bring goodies with them. Like any blockbuster release in Hollywood, Psych is handing out the “swag” in the form of two free movie posters for your personal spaces. That in itself is too cool. But the developers at Psych know they are late to the party, and they plan on catching up in a big way.
They will be offering a three room personal space where you can proudly display the movie posters they give you. One room will consist of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s lab. Next is the formal dinning room, complete with “leftover” Meat Loaf. And last but not least, the RKO Radio Pictures stage with swimming pool.
But wait, there is more!
How about our new outfits – Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Columbia, Magenta, and of course Riff Raff.
But the wise people at Psych didn’t stop there, even though that’s quite a lot. No, like the movie itself, they are breaking new grounds and maybe opening the doors for others to do the same. In an exclusive release to HomeStation Magazine, the FLNT C.E.O. of Psych, Ivan Vented says:
“We want everyone to enjoy Rocky Horror Picture Show as much as we do here at Psych. We are very proud to announce that as part of our roll out on Home, we will be showing the movie in its entirety in the Community Theater # 9 on Halloween night.”
Told you they were changing the rules and breaking new ground.
I’ll give you a moment to soak all that in – oh and while you are soaking, I may as well tell you that as you watch these limited time midnight showings (rotating times for each NA time zone) while you sit with your friends or with fellow Transylvanians, you will also earn a male and female Rocky Horror Picture Show t-shirt!
Bet you are thinking, “This is cool, but has Psych jumped the shark?”
Good question. Mr. Vented also spoke to us about upcoming plans, saying:
“We have secured the virtual rights to other cult classic movies and plan on having more releases and more in Home items to go with them.”
When asked if he could elaborate on what we could expect he reluctantly said:
“I’ll give your readers three of the ten events we have nailed down, but ask that they not spoil the surprise for other that are not wise enough to read HomeStation Magazine. And these are confirmed, not just hopefuls in the works. The 1984 work of genius, This is Spinal Tap, the 1971 dark comedy, Harold and Maude, and one of my all time favorites, the Terry Jones (of Monty Python fame) 1985 film, Brazil.“
He goes on to say, “We here at Psych enjoy cult classics and are very excited to share our love for them with those that love them as well, and those that haven’t been exposed to them yet.”
I can’t help but notice what a natural fit “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and the other movies Mr. Vent mentioned are to Home. I think Dr. Frank-N-Furter said it best when he sang:
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: On the day I went away
Chorus: Goodbye
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Was all I had to say
Chorus: Now I
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: I want to come again and stay
Chorus: Oh my
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Smile, and that will mean I may
‘Cause I’ve seen blue skies
Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize I’m going Home
Chorus: I’m going home
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Everywhere, it’s been the same
Chorus: Feeling
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Like I’m outside in the rain
Chorus: Wheeling
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Free to try and find a game
Chorus: Dealing
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Cards for sorrow
Cards for pain
‘Cause I’ve seen blue skies
Through the tears in my eyes
And I realize I’m going Home
Chorus: I’m going Home
I’m going Home
I’m going Home
I concluded my interview with Mr. Ivan Vented, C.E.O. of Psych, by saying how excited I was to meet him and to hear about the wonderful things he and his team had in store for us, and that is almost seemed to good to be true. He interrupted me and said, “There is a good reason for that – it is too good to be true!”
October 31st, 2011 by Olivia_Allin | 3 comments
Olivia_Allin is a team writer, photographer, model, curator, graphic artist, researcher and comic relief for HomeStation Magazine; she lives in Texas with her boyfriend, and Home is more than just a game to her. Years ago she discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. On weekends, to let off steam, she participate in full-contact origami. She saw a Bigfoot once, made a sound you never want to hear twice, and was so proud of her Special Olympics gold medal that she had it bronzed. She is, in her own words, adorkable.
I just went to a live showing of RHPS last night. This is amazing. I can’t even begin to go on about how much I love this movie. I’ve been watching it since I was eight years old! Though it didn’t make quite as much sense haha. Too bad there’s no Brad and Janet, but Columbia is my favorite. Can’t wait to see all of this! Maybe I’ll head to the theater at midnight and throw some rice :p.
I would *so* dress up as Magenta were this possible. I’m a huge Rocky fan and I can’t begin to count the times I’ve come home from a showing with rice in places that simply defy logic. Love this!
I love the article Olivia! I have seen Rocky Horror a couple of times and though I can’t say I am an extreme fan I liked it. I am an extreme fan of Harold and Maude though. I saw that movie when it was in the theaters the first week it came out and have watched it many times since. It is on my top ten list for all time favorites, I love Ruth Gordon, so thanks for the reference you made, lol maybe people who haven’t known about its existence will look it up, BTW it is available on Netflix now.