The Rocky Horror Picture Show

 

 

 

Screenplay by       Jim Sharman

          Richard O'Brien

 

Produced by       Michael White

          John Goldstone

 

Directed by       Jim Sharman

 

 

 

Cast List:

 

Tim Curry      Frank N. Furter

Susan Sarandon      Janet

Barry Bostwick      Brad

Richard O'Brien    Riff Raff

Jonathan Adams   Dr. Everett Scott

Peter Hinwood      Rocky Horror

Nell Campbell     Columbia

Pat Quinn      Magenta

Meatloaf       Eddie

Charles Gray      Narrator

 

 

 

 

Adapted from "The Rocky Horror Show" a musical

with Book, Music & Lyrics by Richard O'Brien

 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

THE FIRST IMAGE IS A SET OF RED VELVET CINEMA CURTAINS

 

Soft Drum-Roll.

 

 

THEY SPLIT OPTICALLY TO: REVEAL THE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LOGO

 

Fanfare.

 

 

A SMALL WHITE SCREEN – ACADEMY SIZE – APPEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WIDESCREEN FORMAT

 

On the sides of the image are stationary sprocket holes of celluloid.

 

 

SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE

 

Musical Introduction.

 

Film head runs down numbers: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, START". Very scratched.

 

During the SONG we see snatches of the films mentioned in SONG. They look old and scratched and they are INTERCUT with flashes of white screen, burnt celluloid, etc.

 

SONG: "Science Fiction Double Feature"

 

 

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL – THE END SEQUENCE OF THE ROBOT CARRYING THE HERO

 

VOICE OVER

Michael Rennie was ill.

The day the earth stood still

But he told us where we stand

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

FLASH GORDON – BUSTER CRABBE IN ACTION

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

And Flash Gordon was there

In silver underwear.

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

THE INVISIBLE MAN – CLAUDE RAINS IN BANDAGES AND DARK GLASSES

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

Claude Rains was the invisible man.

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

KING KONG – EMPIRE STATE BUILDING SEQUENCE WITH FAY WRAY

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

Then something went wrong

For Fay Wray and King Kong

They got caught in a celluloid jam

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE – GEODESIC GLOBE ECLIPSING THE EARTH

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

Then at a deadly pace

It came from outer space

And this is how the message ran

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

TITLE SEQUENCE – CAST AND WRITING CREDITS

 

CHORUS

Science Fiction – double-feature

Dr. X will build a creature

See Androids fighting Brad and Janet

Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet

Oh – at the late night, double-feature

Picture Show.

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

TARANTULA – THE MUTATION SEQUENCE

 

VOICE OVER

I knew Leo G. Carrol

Was over a barrel

When tarantula took to the hills

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS – FIGHT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

And I really got hot

When I saw Jeanette Scott

Fight a Triffid that spits poison and kills

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

THE NIGHT OF THE DEMON – SEQUENCE OF "RUNIC WRITING", FLYING INTO THE FIRE

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

Dana Andrews said prunes

Gave him the runes

And passing them used lots of skills.

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE – ROCKET INVASION SEQUENCE

 

VOICE OVER (CONT'D)

And when worlds collide

Said George Pal to his bride

I'm going to give you some terrible trills

Like a –

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

TITLE CONTINUED – TECHNICAL AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

 

CHORUS

Science Fiction – double-feature

Dr. X will build a creature

See Androids fighting Brad and Janet

Anne Francis stars in Forbidden Planet

Oh – at the late-night, double-feature

Picture Show

By RKO O-Oh

At the late-night, double-feature

Picture Show

In the back row

At the late-night, double-feature

Picture Show

I want to go.

 

DISSOLVE TO:

 

 

EXT. A STILL FRAME OF A DENTON CATHOLIC CHURCH – DAY

 

CHORUS (CONT'D)

To the late night double feature

Picture Show.

 

The SONG ends with church bells ringing joyously as the IMAGE EXPANDS TO: WIDESCREEN.

 

The STILL FRAME bursts to life as the doors of the Denton Catholic Church are flung open and Mendelssohn's wedding march resounds from the church organ.

 

The young married couple, RALPH and BETTY HAPSCHATT appear followed by a crowd of friends and well-wishers throwing confetti and shouting excitedly.

 

The MINISTER shakes Ralph by the hand while Ralph slips him a $20 bill.

 

PHOTOGRAPHERS take pictures.

 

BRAD MAJORS, a young slightly awkward, clean-cut American in his mid-twenties, comes over the congratulate Ralph. Brad and Ralph shake hands.

 

RALPH

Well Brad, I guess we made it huh!

 

BRAD

Well I don't think there was any doubt about that – You and Betty have been almost inseparable ever since you sat in on Dr Scott's refresher lectures.

 

RALPH

Tell you the truth Brad, she was the only reason I came in the first place. Science was never one of my favourite subjects but I sure with Dr. Scott could have made it today.

 

BRAD

Yes, Janet and I are both fond of him. We drove over to see him last vacation. It's a shame his new job took him away from Denton.

 

Betty, the bride, throws the bouquet.

 

JANET catches it. She squeals with delight.

 

The Guests cheer.

 

RALPH

Hey fella. It looks like it could be your turn next.

 

BRAD

Who knows... ha ha.

 

Ralph & Betty drive off. Guests wave and shout, Brad & Janet with great enthusiasm. Guests begin to disperse.

 

Janet & Brad linger outside the church. So do a strange FAMILY: An OLD MAN with a pitchfork and HIS WIFE and DAUGHTER. They resemble the Quaker family in "American Gothic", a painting.

 

The Mother (MAGENTA) and Father (RIFF RAFF) stand outside the church doors. Their Daughter (COLUMBIA) goes inside. The FAMILY, and the MINISTER (FRANK N. FURTER), and the Guests all resemble characters we shall meet later at the Frank N. Furter place.

 

JANET

(who is holding the bouquet)

Oh Brad, wasn't it wonderful. Didn't Betty look radiantly beautiful. Just an hour ago she was plain old Betty Monroe. Now she's Mrs. Ralph Hapschatt.

 

BRAD

(still looking after the car)

Er... yes, Janet... Ralph's a lucky guy.

(they start to move d.s.)

 

JANET

Yes.

 

BRAD

Everyone knows Betty's a wonderful little cook.

 

JANET

Yes.

 

BRAD

And Ralph himself will be in line for promotion in a year or so.

 

JANET

Yes.

 

FIRST CHORD of: "Wedding Song"

 

 

EXT. CHURCH – DAY

 

"Wedding Song" (Silent playback for dialogue).

 

With great decision Brad turns on Janet.

 

BRAD

(spoken)

Hey Janet.

 

JANET

Yes Brad.

 

BRAD

I've got something to say.

 

JANET

Uh-huh.

 

BRAD

I really loved the skilful way

You beat the other girls

To the bride's bouquet.

 

JANET

Oh Brad.

 

Singing begins.

 

BRAD

The river was deep but I swam it.

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

The future is ours so let's plan it.

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

So please don't tell me to can it.

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

I've one thing to say and that's

Dammit, Janet.

I love you.

The road was long but I ran it.

(he runs backwards towards church doors)

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

(climbing onto fence)

There's a fire in my heart

And you fan it.

(jumps off)

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

If there's one fool for you

Then I am it.

 

FAMILY (RIFF & MAGENTA)

Janet.

 

BRAD

(getting chalk from pocket)

I've one thing to say and that's,

Dammit, Janet.

 

He chalks a heart and arrow on the church door, which Riff Raff proceeds to wipe off.

 

BRAD

I love you.

 

Janet runs to him, he kneels and produces a ring.

 

BRAD

Here's a ring to prove that

I'm not joker.

 

CHURCH BELLS Peal out. Riff & Magenta open doors and solemnly enter the church, door closes behind them.

 

BRAD

There's three ways that love can grow.

That's good bad or mediocre.

 

Janet grabs the ring as Brad rises. She throws down the bouquet and would fall into Brad's arms but he goes to the door to chalk on it again.

 

BRAD

Oh – J-A-N-E-T

I love you so.

 

Janet, transfixed, bursts into the church.

 

 

INT. CHURCH – DAY

 

"Wedding Song" Part 2.

 

Janet bursts into the church, hypnotised by the ring. Brad follows her.

 

JANET

Oh!... It's nicer than

Betty Munroe had

 

MAGENTA

(peering up from behind pew)

Oh Brad.

 

JANET

Now we're engaged and I'm so glad.

 

MAGENTA & COLUMBIA

Oh Brad.

(both peer up and disappear)

 

JANET

That you met Mom

And you know Dad.

 

WHOLE FAMILY

Oh Brad.

(peering up together)

 

JANET

(taking his arm)

I've one thing to say

And that's, Brad

I'm mad,

For you too.

 

Brad & Janet start to walk d.s., arm in arm.

 

The strange family march slowly across them left to right, in front.

 

JANET

(laying head on Brad's shoulder)

Oh, Brad.

 

BRAD

Oh Dammit.

 

JANET

(caresses his cheek)

I'm mad...

 

BRAD

Oh Janet

 

JANET

For you.

 

Brad

(briefly kisses her)

I love you too-oo-oo.

 

Brad takes Janet's hands, turning to her. We are aware of the family bringing in coffin in b.g. through vestry door.

 

BRAD & JANET

There's one thing left to do-ah-ooh

(they separate)

 

BRAD

And that's go see the man

Who began it

 

FAMILY

(carrying coffin)

Janet.

 

BRAD

When we met in his science exam

It –

 

The family move into position behind Brad & Janet.

 

FAMILY

Janet.

 

BRAD

Made me give you the eye

And then panic,

 

FAMILY

Janet

 

Family lower coffin onto floor.

 

BRAD

I've got one thing to say, and that's

Dammit,

Janet.

I love you.

 

Janet runs to Brad and he hugs her.

 

BRAD

(circling Janet)

Dammit, Janet.

 

Janet circles Brad twice, admiring her ring on the way.

 

JANET

Oh Brad,

I'm mad.

 

BRAD

Dammit, Janet.

 

Brad & Janet kneel together with each following word until they are kneeling on the floor.

 

BRAD, JANET, FAMILY

I love you.

 

Brad & Janet kiss.

 

The cross above spits optically.

 

 

INT. A STUDY – NIGHT

 

Mahogany bookcases, a large desk with a prominent globe of the world. A well-padded armchair has its back to the camera. It swings around revealing the Narrator. He is in his smoking jacket. He speaks directly to us.

 

NARRATOR

I would like if I may to take you on a strange journey.

 

He crosses to the bookshelf. He selects a dossier. We see the title: "The Denton Affair". He returns to his desk and places it on a bookstand. He puts on his reading glasses.

 

NARRATOR

It seemed a fairly ordinary night when Brad Majors and his fiancée Janet Weiss – two young ordinary healthy kids – left Denton that late November evening to visit Dr. Everett Scott, ex-tutor and now friend of both of them. It's true there were dark storm clouds, heavy, black and pendulous, toward which they were driving. It's true also that the spare tyre they were carrying was badly in need of some air. But they being normal kids and on a night out, well they were not going to let a storm spoil the events of their evening. On a night out.

 

He closes the book marking the place.

 

Thunder is heard distantly on the sound track.

 

NARRATOR

It was a night out they were going to remember for a very long time.

 

Lighting cracks on the sound track.

 

WIPE TO:

 

 

EXT. NIGHT

 

A windscreen wiper working under strain. Torrential rain on the windscreen. Brad concentrating on visibility. Janet eating chocolates and listening to the car radio playing an Orson Welles serial – "The Shadow".

 

A motorcycle roars past them.

 

JANET

Gosh. That's the third motorcyclist that's passed us. They certainly take their lives in their hands. What with the weather and all.

 

BRAD

Yes, Janet. Life's pretty cheap to that type.

 

Janet takes another stick of gum.

 

Offers Brad some. He declines.

 

The car slows to a halt.

 

JANET

What's the matter Brad, darling?

 

Headlights on sign reading: "DEAD END".

 

BRAD

I think we took the wrong fork a few miles back.

 

JANET

Oh dear! But then where did the motorcyclists come from?

 

BRAD

Hmmm... Well, I guess we will have to turn back.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

 

Car reverses.

 

Brad puts his foot on the accelerator. The wheel skids and explodes.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

INT. CAR – NIGHT

 

JANET

What was that bang?

 

BRAD

We must have a blow-out.

 

JANET

Oh...

 

Pause.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

 

A bolt of lighting strikes a tree.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

INT. CARNIGHT

 

BRAD

You'd better sit here and keep warm while I go for help.

 

JANET

But where will you go? We're in the middle of nowhere.

 

BRAD

Didn't we pass a castle back down the road a few miles? Maybe they have a telephone I might use.

 

He unbuckles his seatbelt.

 

JANET

I'm coming with you.

 

BRAD

There's no point both of us getting wet.

 

JANET

I'm coming with you.

(she unbuckles her seatbelt)

Besides, darling, the owner of the phone might be a beautiful woman and you may never come back.

 

Brad laughs.

 

A thunderclap.

 

MUSIC commences and she alights from the car and follows him, newspaper over her head.

 

CUT TO:

 

 

EXT. ROAD – NIGHT

 

SONG: "Over at the Frankenstein Place".

 

The rain pours off the newspaper down Janet's face. She walks along, catching up with Brad.

 

She sing plaintively.

 

JANET

In the velvet darkness

Of the blackest night

Burning bright.