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Feminist Perspective on the Rocky Horror Show?

73 replies

YinuCeatleAyru · 26/06/2020 13:32

up till my early 40s I was under the impression that feminism had won, sexism was a thing of the past and the feminist movement was now an interesting part of history rather than anything to get involved with now. I don't think that any more.

In my student days I enjoyed attending a number of fancy-dress screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show and saw the show live one time (with Jason Donovan as Frank) but didn't think about it at the time from a feminist viewpoint.

I am thinking about it now a bit because a choir I am in is doing some of the songs from the show.

the show is obviously lighthearted and views and attitudes portrayed by the characters are not necessarily views being endorsed or promoted by the show, as much as criticised.

has anyone else on here got any thoughts on the show from a feminist perspective? I'm not sure I have anything concrete to say yet but find it valuable to develop my thoughts in conversation with others, if anyone would be interested?

OP posts:
terryleather · 26/06/2020 20:16

*Furx
*
So it was....more yikes 😬

JellySlice · 26/06/2020 21:57

Wokesville would kill it.

The remake with a TW playing Frank appears to have done so:

Feminist Perspective on the Rocky Horror Show?
Cecily75 · 26/06/2020 22:14

Yes yes yes, agree with all the analysis that we should just be ourselves... and yes, Tim Curry was amazing in the film.

But can I just repeat... Tony Head on stage, in stockings. Singing. Wow. Now that's a show.

MsMarvellous · 26/06/2020 22:16

I saw Nicholas Parsons play the narrator. He did the full stockings too Grin

Binglebong · 26/06/2020 22:41

There is apparently a terrible sequel. Can't decide if I want to see it or not.

AIMD · 26/06/2020 22:50

I love Rocky Horror on stage and have watched it a few times. I saw it last year and Rocky was played by Duncan from Blue....I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked him as Rocky.

I can analyse things like other people do on MN. However RH is totally odd the wall and bizarre so it’s really hard to think through that.

chipsandpeas · 26/06/2020 22:52

@AIMD

I love Rocky Horror on stage and have watched it a few times. I saw it last year and Rocky was played by Duncan from Blue....I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked him as Rocky.

I can analyse things like other people do on MN. However RH is totally odd the wall and bizarre so it’s really hard to think through that.

duncan from blue played frank not rocky and he was good - best have to say was jason donovan imo first time i saw the stage show was late 90s and been at pretty much every tour since then
AIMD · 26/06/2020 22:55

@chipsandpeas ah yes sorry I muddled my names. I didn’t know it was him until the show and someone told me. I was shocked....he was so good.

A saw it at the end of last year again with a different actor playing frank and didn’t enjoy it as much.....though obviously still enjoyed the dressing up.

chipsandpeas · 26/06/2020 23:09

[quote AIMD]@chipsandpeas ah yes sorry I muddled my names. I didn’t know it was him until the show and someone told me. I was shocked....he was so good.

A saw it at the end of last year again with a different actor playing frank and didn’t enjoy it as much.....though obviously still enjoyed the dressing up.[/quote]
easy done, he would have made a good rocky imo

bluebluezoo · 26/06/2020 23:12

I saw it in manchester years ago. Can’t remember who frank was, possibly supposed to be jason but he had a night off?

The narrator was the little bloke with glasses off coronation street- just googled, Reg Holdworth! He was really good...

TehBewilderness · 26/06/2020 23:43

I saw it in the seventies. Didn't like it. Don't remember it well enough to analyze it. Don't intend to watch it again.

Simonfromharlow · 26/06/2020 23:52

Don't dream it, be it!

Simonfromharlow · 26/06/2020 23:55

@Binglebong

There is apparently a terrible sequel. Can't decide if I want to see it or not.
It's is terrible. Never watch it
nevermorelenore · 27/06/2020 01:22

@JellySlice

Wokesville would kill it.

The remake with a TW playing Frank appears to have done so:

The Glee version is even worse. They remove anything dirty since they're supposed to be high schoolers. It's very weird.

I have the sequel on DVD! It's pretty bad unless you're really into cult B movies. A couple of the songs are quite catchy though.

InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud · 27/06/2020 02:17

I would just like to leave these here for those who want to rub their thighs...furiously

Feminist Perspective on the Rocky Horror Show?
Feminist Perspective on the Rocky Horror Show?
Feminist Perspective on the Rocky Horror Show?
Phantom1 · 27/06/2020 03:08

VickyEadieofThigh

I saw it in London around 1975. It was on in the King's Road and later transferred to the West End. I think the OP started in The King's Head. Peter Blake was Frank and Susie Blake was Janet.

Agrona · 27/06/2020 03:59

@Binglebong

There is apparently a terrible sequel. Can't decide if I want to see it or not.
The sequel is called "Shock Treatment" which is the title song and the only good thing about it.

It also miscasts Barry Humphries in a slightly normal role. While I've seen it, I agree with a previous poster. It is not worth the time.

sashh · 27/06/2020 04:03

Am I the only one thinking about Rocky himself?

I remember TV in the 1970s and women were seen as decoration for the most part, the funniest 'joke' was women loosing their clothes.

Having a male in his underwear to ogle was unheard of.

BoomBoomsCousin · 27/06/2020 04:16

I think drag can both mock female norms in a misogynistic way and male norms in an anti- patriarchy way. I always thought RHS did more of the latter.

The “all the frigid girl needs is a good shag” narrative is difficult to parse in the context of a parody.

picklemewalnuts · 27/06/2020 08:46

I loved it years ago. Settled in to watch it more recently and found it really hard. I have lost my sense of humour around the rapey stuff- it just flips a switch and leaves me cold. Which is disappointing because it was fun,

CuriousaboutSamphire · 27/06/2020 17:20

I hate this place.

Working today, in and out of a few houses.

Into a room, click

There's a light

Next room, click

Over at the Frankenstein place

Every bloody time I checked a light bulb... 4 student houses, 5 +6 bedrooms each!

There's a li -i -i -i -i -ie ight
Burning in the fireplace

Grin
bluebluezoo · 27/06/2020 17:28

The “all the frigid girl needs is a good shag” narrative is difficult to parse in the context of a parody

Swings both ways though Grin. Brad is the same so surely the narrative is not sex specific, boy or girl if they’re frigid all they need is a good shag...

Furx · 27/06/2020 17:43

bluezoo

I think that’s the redeeming feature..

The thing that makes it ‘of its time’ is the frigid woman just needs a good shag trope, but it nicely subverts that with the frigid man just needs some hot gay sex. but it’s the woman whose sexuality is awoken when she meets Rocky, where she seduces him. And the staid scientist had stockings on under the wheelchair blanket all along...

Every time you think there’s a message, the plot does an about face and switches it up.

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