'Rocky Horror Picture Show' shadow casting still alive in 2023, even at Rutgers Cinema

First released on Aug. 14, 1975, in the U.K., Jim Sharman's "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was perhaps one of the earliest examples of a cult classic film. Upon its release, it joined titles such as "Pink Flamingos" and "El Topo" as those synonymous with the largely antiquated "midnight movie" delivery method. 

Midnight movies were, as their label suggests, films only screened late at night in venues where such screenings were even offered. Although the practice saw its start around the 1950s with the popularity of TV's rising in U.S. households, it didn't start to take shape theatrically until the early 1970s, when screenings of niche, smaller-scale films began occurring around the New York metropolitan area.

Prior to this phenomenon, films of this nature would not have seen any time in theaters, as there were simply no outlets for anything deemed unsuitable for a wide audience's approval.

In the case of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," the film is based on the 1973 play of the same name written entirely by Richard O'Brien, who also wrote the script for its film adaptation. It got its start at Manhattan's Independent Film Channel Center, formerly known as the Waverly Theater, and spread to more remote centers across the U.S., where many attendees were offered free admission provided they arrived dressed as a character from the film. 

Although campy, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is often championed for its depiction of LGBTQ+ characters and is cited as a massive step forward for the normalization of queer representation in media today.

This community-centric atmosphere is applied to other aspects of the film as well. Attendees would often respond verbally to the film as it played, with certain moments eliciting specific coordinated responses, often referred to as "callouts." These moments eventually grew to encompass more physical responses as well, such as audience members throwing rice at the screen during the film's opening wedding scene. 

Most unique of all, though, were these screenings' use of "shadow casts." As it became the norm for attendees to arrive in costume, members began to act alongside the movie being played, pantomiming their respective character's actions and lip-syncing along with their dialogue. Eventually, bands of these fans formed their own groups and began touring theaters to try and connect with local fans of the film.

Right on time for Halloween, Rutgers was blessed with the arrival of one of these local shadow troupes, "Friday Nite Specials," at its own Rutgers Cinema on Livingston campus. The performance was held on Sunday and featured all the chaotically delightful hallmarks fans have come to know and love these events for.

The performance was aided by both a brief introduction prior to the film's beginning as well as a small bag of props distributed beforehand to help immerse potential newcomers (referred to as "virgins" in the nomenclature) in the full experience.

For those who may have wanted to attend this performance but were unable to do so (it did sell out, quite promptly at that), the troupe's next performance will be at the Basie Center Cinemas in Red Bank at 10 p.m. this Friday.