Why is ``The Rocky Horror Picture Show'', the original movie that was popularly screened, continued to be loved both now and in the future?

A transvestite hero who changed film history

Aside from science fiction and horror films, the wedding scene at the beginning (in which Frank & Furter secretly appear for some reason) is based on Grant Wood's famous painting "American Gothic," and the painting is actually hanging on the wall in the later castle scene.

There are also two photo frames placed on the desk of a criminologist who appears as a commentator who speaks to the audience; one is of President Roosevelt and the other is of Ronald Reagan. At the time the movie was made, Reagan had not yet become president, so it was as if he had predicted it! ...There are many fun "discoveries" to be made.

Also, what you should pay attention to is the pink triangle mark on Frank's surgical gown. This is the ``Pink Triangle'' that was used as a marker for gay men in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.In the camps, this mark used to be a downward-pointing triangle, but now faces upwards. The pink triangle, a symbol of persecution turned upside down, remains a symbol of LGBTQ pride to this day.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (C)2016 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I feel that the character Frank Furter is important to film history in that it made transvestites widely and positively recognized. It has previously been seen in comedies such as Ed Wood's Glen and Glenda (1953), Some Like It Hot (1959), and thrillers such as Psycho (1960). However, Frank may be the first transvestite to be loved as a "hero" by so many people.

According to Tim Curry, Frank was "played as pansexual." The word pansexual, which has become more common these days, means ``pansexuality'' and is a sexual orientation that accepts all people, regardless of their physical or emotional sexuality. In other words, he seems to be complaining that being obsessed with sexuality itself is ridiculous.

Already in the 1970s, Frank Furter was at the forefront of diversity, and his progressive style is why The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains beloved today and in the future.

Text: Hiroaki Saito

Became freelance in 1997, contributing movie reviews and interview articles to various media such as movie magazines, theater pamphlets, and movie sites. The column is constantly updated on Yahoo! News.

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"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

Blu-ray now on sale 1,905 yen + tax

Released by: Walt Disney Japan

(C)2016 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.