Expansion of Rocky Horror as Fantasy (Not that Kind of Fantasy)

In response to “‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ as Quintessential Fantasy Story” by Elizabeth Allen. Read it here…

To delve into the history and ritual behind the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is hardly required; chances are, if you’re interested in examining the mythological underpinnings of the notably weird rock-and-roll musical, you’ve already thrown on your fishnets and seen it at midnight, or at least seen grainy footage of people who have. In her article, Elizabeth Allen attempts to contextualize “Rocky Horror” as following the model of a traditional fantasy (not a sexual fantasy—sorry, folks). While she covers some basic points, this article shall attempt to expand on her analysis for fuller development.

Allen begins by citing Brad Majors and Janet Weiss as protagonists we can understand and sympathize with. Of course, any “Rocky Horror” fan knows the derogatory and unprintable callbacks used on the announcement of those character names. What the film does is turn this fantasy tradition on its head and make the babes-in-the-woods protagonists rather boring, square people, painting instead the deviant villain, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, as the fun guy we want to hang out with. The fun of seeing two whitebread young lovers from sleepy Denton get humiliated and eventually transformed stands as a reversal of, say, the tale of Hansel and Gretel narrowly escaping the witch’s house; there’s a reason all the fans love Frank best. His lust is so sincere, indeed.