The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains one of the most iconic cult films of all time, blending sci-fi, music, and campy horror into a wildly entertaining experience. But behind the fishnet stockings and catchy tunes, the making of the film was anything but smooth.
Tim Curry, who played the unforgettable Dr. Frank-N-Furter, had never starred in a movie before landing the role. He originally played the part in the London stage production, which ran over 2,900 times. His magnetic performance made him the obvious choice for the film, though he later admitted he avoided talking about the movie for years due to overzealous fans.
The set was far from the chaotic fun seen on screen. With only five weeks to shoot, the production was tightly scheduled. Curry spent four hours each day in makeup before eventually doing it himself to save time. Meanwhile, Susan Sarandon battled freezing conditions on set, even developing pneumonia after filming in a cold, leaking castle.
One of the most famous bloopers came during the dinner scene when Barry Bostwick accidentally smashed Sarandon’s hand instead of the table. She got her revenge later by stepping on his foot with her high heel—a moment captured on film.
