Movies that develop cult followings are usually outside of the mainstream fare, pushing boundaries, crossing lines, and mixing genres. One of the best examples of that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which was released in theaters 50 years ago.

The musical horror comedy is both a parody and tribute to science fiction and B-horror movies from the 1930s to early ‘60s. It is based on The Rocky Horror Show stage play by Richard O’Brien that started running in 1973. The movie is considered to be one of the best movie musicals of all time and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2005.

Jim Sharman, whose prior onscreen directorial effort was Shirley Thompson Versus the Aliens, directed and co-wrote the movie script with O’Brien. Tim Curry, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, and O’Brien reprised the roles they originated on stage as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Magenta, Columbia, and Riff Raff, respectively. Susan Sarandon took the role of Janet Weiss, Barry Bostwick became Brad Majors, Jonathan Adams played Dr. Scott, Peter Hinwood was Rocky Horror, Meat Loaf became Eddie, and Charles Gray got the role of the Criminologist. It premiered on August 15, 1975 in London, then saw release in the US on September 26 of that year.

Rocky Horror tells the strange story about a square young couple who must seek shelter in a mysterious castle after their car breaks down in the rain. They are greeted by a strange party of revelers wearing peculiar and flashy costumes. But things just get stranger as their host, alien transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter, appears – along with the muscle man he created in his laboratory. The couple are then seduced by the mad scientist and eventually set free when the servants take control.

O’Brien wrote The Rocky Horror Show in the early ‘70s. As a fan of B-horror and science fiction, he wanted to write about the schlocky aspects and unintentional humor that could be found in both genres, with added touches of Steve Reeves muscle movies. It was wrapped in ‘50s style rock ‘n roll and Britain’s glam era gave it the final eccentric touch.

The play started running at the Royal Court Theatre in London before moving to the Chelsea Classic Cinema in August 1973, where it ran for six years. It debuted in Los Angeles in ’74 then went to New York, LA, and other cities in the US.

The movie was shot at Bray Studios in the UK and at Oakley Court, an old estate that had also been the setting for Hammer horror films. The manor was built in the Victorian Gothic style, making it a perfect mood-setter for extravagant horror. Production retained most aspects of the stage show in the set design bringing flashy color to the moody building.

Makeup artist Pierre La Roche, who had been a makeup artist for Mick Jagger and David Bowie gave each character a signature look. Some costumes were carried over from the stage show and costume designer Sue Blane embraced a punk look with glitter and sequence, colored hair, and fishnets, and plenty of black for the rest. The corset Curry wore was actually the same one he wore for a production of The Maids, on which he worked with Blane.

The movie immediately established the theme of androgyny by opening with Quinn’s disembodied lips dubbed over with O’Brien’s voice singing “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” The song lyrics also introduce the sci-fi/horror genres, referencing movies like The Day the Earth Stood Still, Flash Gordon, The Invisible Man, King Kong, Forbidden Planet, and When Worlds Collide. Some of the other sexually charged, as well as bizarre, songs included the love ode “Dammit Janet,” the dance number “The Time Warp,” Frank’s iconic theme “Sweet Transvestite,” the upbeat “Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul,” and the sexy “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me.”

The movie was not initially praised by critics, however, word spread and it developed a cult following of loyal viewers. It became a favorite midnight movie appearing in theaters around the world for midnight showings. Rocky Horror established a party atmosphere with viewers wearing costumes inspired by the movie and singing along or shouting lines during the showing. That trend has sustained since the movie’s release reappearing in theaters at regular intervals, especially around Halloween. Because it’s still in limited release 50 years after it opened in theaters, it has the distinction of being the longest-running theatrical release in film history.