Jessie Rota

Mass Media and Society

Dr. Crowley
Social Section

The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Society

The Rocky Horror Picture Show came out in theatres at the right
social era: the 1970s. It was a time where society was becoming more
and more rebellious and this movie represents rebellion. It may have
bombed at the box office, but it was a classic hit at the start.
The 1970s followed the spark of the rebellion breakout the 1960s
started. It was when Women, African Americans, Native Americans,
gays and lesbians and other marginalized people continued their fight
for equality (The 1970s). People were fighting against politics for the
Vietnam War, President Nixons scandals, and conservative rules. The
New Right movement started in order to fight against the socially
traditional roles (The 1970s). Americans fought for social and political
rights because they wanted to create a change in their society. They
wanted more freedom. Heterosexuality, to this day, is considered to be
what society socially accepts. Only recently did America legalize gay
marriage nationally. RHPS puts light on what is ignored by the majority.
The lead characters, Brad and Janet, are society acceptable people and
are thrown into the lifestyle of drag, transsexual, and rock and role.

The 70s was also a time where feminists became more active.
The Equal Rights Movement for women was passed by congress, yet
still caused controversy with conservative activists (The 1970s). Yet
feminists built their own community with art, jobs, companies, etc.
And not just feminists, but a majority of society stared to break away
from politics and start to go their own way, especially right after
Nixons Watergate scandal. People went to pop culture-easy to do in
such a trend-laden, fad-happy decade (The 1970s).
RHPS represents leaving the social norm. Janets epiphany of
when she sheds the image that society expects of her is when she
sleeps with Rocky instead of her fiance Brad. Of course cheating is
looked down upon, but society is harsher on women who cheat than
men who cheat. Its always been like this, unfortunately, because white
straight men are considered to be the top of the social chain. The male
who steals the show in RHPS is not Brad, but Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who is
just a sweet transvestite From Transexual, Transylvania (RHPS).
Having a lead character in a movie that breaks the social norm is what
made this film a cult classic because he is relatable to all the people
that society ignores.
Although the movie bombed at the box office, it instantly
became a midnight movie with a cult following; its the longest running
theatre release movie (The Rocky Horror Picture Show is One of the
Best Cult Classics). People who are gay, lesbian, and transgender are

usually the majority of the cult, but people who are straight are a part
of it too. And the social classes range from high, middle, and low, and
all races and backgrounds. This movie can relate to all people because
it has no limits. According to Anthony Blenkes research project, the
film portrays that such characterization could relate easily to those
attending the event that are afraid they do not fit in with the festivities;
the film portrays for them that even the most stiff can have a stranger
side.
Society is about different groups of people coming together, and
that is what RHPS does, not just for the characters themselves, but the
people who have been coming to the showings for the past forty years.
The film is the cultural authority on what is right and wrong, with the
list of wrongs being quite small (Dont Dream It, Be It: A research
study into the cultural phenomenon surrounding the Rocky Horror
Picture Show and its impact on society). Anthony Blenke said it best:
Perhaps that is the key to creating an open cultural event
that can encompass multiple social groups, where a single
common goal entity presents the cultural norm and those
that participate are left to interpret it to whatever degree
they wish; this is present elsewhere throughout society,
such as sporting events and clubs where a central interest
can bring multiple groups together

Bibliography
Blenke, Anthony. "Dont Dream It, Be It: A Research Study into the
Cultural Phenomenon Surrounding the Rocky Horror Picture Show and
Its Impact on Society." Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
"The 1970s." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show Is One Of The Best Cult Classics -..."
OMNI Reboot. 25 Oct. 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Perf. Tim Curry, Richard O'Brian, Susan
Sarandon. 20th Century Fox, 1975. Film.