After several viewings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, I am starting to put the pieces together and figure out what the hell is going on. However, parts are still a bit fuzzy to me. For example, why is Dr. Frankenfurter putting everyone together at the end for a stage show, and what is the story on Riff Raff… was he sent as his assistant, or was he made to submit by force? And why the hell is Eddie in deep freeze on his motorcycle?
I know that the storyline isn’t the most important part of the movie, but this is bothering me. Any answers?
Riff Raff, to my estimation, was obstensibly an assistant, but he also was told by the higher-ups that this Frankenfurter cat was a loose cannon, and to keep an eye on him. When he started going nuts, the commanders told him to mutiny and take him back to their planet.
Eddie was in deep freeze because Frankenfurter did this to him. I guess because the doctor was nuts.
The gathering at the end was, I think, in the grand tradition of similar movies where everyone gets together at the end for the finalle?
I’m sure Cessandra can help out more. I haven’t seen the flick in ages…
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“For example, why is Dr. Frankenfurter putting everyone together at the end for a stage show”
Because by that time he was so egocentric that he thought we all cared. Besides that is some of the best music in the show. Another thing, the costumes were great. Who else could wear a banana on his head and wield a pitchfork shaped laser gun and pull it off except for Richard O’Brian?
“and what is the story on Riff Raff… was he sent as his assistant, or was he made to submit by force?”
Riff Raff was ostensibly a servant who was keeping an eye on Franknfurter by the higher ups.
“And why the hell is Eddie in deep freeze on his motorcycle?”
It was a really deep refridgerator. Originally they had to wheel him down all the way into the refridgerator and they drove their cars down and back. hehehe, I think it was really to just show that he was a Timewarper too since all the Timewarpers showed up on motorcycles too. Plus, it made a dramatic entrance.
Amazing, I really should start using the preview button because when I began to reply to this topic Satan hadn’t written in yet. Looks like we have almost the same wording for Riff Raff’s situation too. Wowie!
I always thought Eddie was in the fridge (or deep freezer, or whatever) because Frank used half of his brain to build Rocky. And if he needed more, Eddie could be thawed out to provide it.
Of course, that idea didn’t sit too well with Eddie, who mustered enough control of the other half of his brain to make his entrance.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen it too, but that’s my recollection. You might want to get it on video if you want to see exactly what is going on–not nearly as much fun as in the theatre, but you should be able to get the general idea of the plot if you’re curious.
Also, Eddie is one of Frank’s ex-lovers. I think the good doctor started off with Columbia, moved on to Eddie, then (when E and C started cheating on him with each other) threw up his hands and decided on the do-it-yourself project.
Ok, did you notice that by the end of the movie only strait people are left alive? Anyone who did anything “gay” is now dead…interesting for a suposid “pro-gay” movie. Meatloaf was locked in a freezer because that is where meatloaf belongs, in a freezer…I’m talking about the real “singer” here… actually I believe he was the Dr.'s x-lover and the doc wanted to get him out of the way
Actually, Janet did do everyone at least in theory. When she sings the Fuck Me song in the movie did you notice that everyone eventually became her partner? Well, in my Rocky Horror days we all believed that it symbolized if not stated explicitly that she was having sex with all those people and did Rocky twice.
I haven’t seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show in about 11/2 decades, but I was always under the impression that Janet and Brad both engaged in gay sex in the swimming pool during the song “Absolute Pleasure” (at least I think that’s the title.) That scene is near the end of the movie.
This is an idea I had… maybe the stage show was intended as a museum exhibit for presentation on Transylvania. It’s interesting to consider that when Riff Raff said "your lifestyle’s too extreme, he meant that FrankenFurter had overstepped his scientific objectives. Also, I think the eagerly watching audience at the end was a glimpse inside FrankenFurters mind. Anyway, I’m off to bed, A good night to the dopers!
That’s pretty thin :), but I can see where you’re coming from. The logistics of it, though… did she have time to do all that and still do Rocky again, winding up in the same place she started? I was under the impression that Janet was fantasizing, and she and Rocky had just finished when Frank came in beating Riff, with Brad following. (Gee, he never beat me like that.)
I can’t believe I’m having a logic discussion about Rocky Horror.
As somebody who has only seen RHPS 19 times, I may not be an expert, but my impression was that the floor show was simply another “event” in the ongoing party that was Frank’s life. In this case, however, most of the guests have left and he can only drag a few people into his increasingly peculiar fantasy world (Riff Raff and Magenta are conspicuous in their absence).
The floor show is just one more example of Frank’s hedonism and (since he casts himself as the star) his egotism. The song “Give yourself over, to absolute pleasure” conveys this well, as does Frankie’s hallucination of an adoring audience.
I figure that when Riff Raff said “Your lifestyle’s too extreme”, he means that Frankie doesn’t do anything but fulfill his own lusts. (Even creating “life itself” was done solely for the sake of pleasure.)
As for why Eddy’s in the freezer, I agree that he was “on ice” in case Frankie needed to create (ahem) Rocky-II. I guess the thermostat must have broken, though – or maybe Eddy’s generous girth protected him from freezing completely.
One of the things I really like about RHPS (apart from the excellent music) is the sets. The attention to detail is really amazing, considering the budget.
Incidentally, if you’re tempted to watch the sequel, “Shock Treatment”, expect to be gravely disappointed.
Okay, so I watched it on VH-1 last night in my vampire costume, while waiting for trick-or-treaters (oh, the joy that is my life). When the Toucha toucha toucha scene came, I paid attention, remembering this very thread. Janet is clearly fantasizing, because the is in the tank with Rocky the entire time the other faces are appearing.
And re: Shock Treatment. What a stinker! But some of the songs aren’t too bad…
hehehe, I think it was really to just show that he was a Timewarper too since all the Timewarpers showed up on motorcycles too. Plus, it made a dramatic entrance.