The 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is almost here, and “I see you shiver with antici-(SAY IT!)-pation!”

The rock musical, a campy blend of comedy and horror, is based on Richard O’Brien’s London stage show. Though it struggled at the box office after its U.S. debut in 1975, it eventually developed a cult following through midnight screenings that still draw fans today.

History of ‘Rocky Horror’

In the film, young lovers Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) find themselves stranded with a flat tire during a storm. Their misfortune leads them to the mysterious mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). Inside, they encounter a cast of eccentric characters, including a flashy biker, Eddie, played by Meat Loaf, and a peculiar butler (Riff-Raff) portrayed by Richard O’Brien. As the story unfolds through dance numbers and rock music, Frank-N-Furter reveals his latest creation, a ruggedly handsome man named “Rocky” (Peter Hinwood).

The film first premiered in London at the Rialto Theatre in August 1975. Its U.S. premiere came a month later, on Sept. 26, at the UA Westwood in Los Angeles. A year after that, the film gained momentum as viewers began dressing up as characters for late-night screenings, contributing to the rise of midnight movies. 

Let’s take a time warp back to see how this underwhelming 1970s musical grew into a cult classic 50 years later:

How to have fun watching ‘Rocky Horror’: What should you expect?

For those experiencing “Rocky Horror” for the first time (‘Virgins’), the viewing is far from passive.

Screenings usually include lively audience participation: Fans shout humorous and risqué comments or react to iconic lines from the film. The experience deepens with “shadow casts” – when people dress up and shadow the characters in front of the movie screen. There’s lip-syncing and dancing as the audience interacts with the film through call-and-response lines and the use of props.

How to enhance your ‘Rocky Horror’ experienceWhere can I go see ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’?

Venues across the United States host regular screenings and shadow cast performances of the movie. To find showtimes, check with your local movie theater for standard screenings and look into independent theaters for shadow cast events; these are often held in smaller, independent venues rather than large chain cinemas.

‘The Rocky Horror’ 40-city tour

If you’re hoping for celebrity sightings, the original stars of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” are celebrating the 50th anniversary with a 40-city tour that began in September and will conclude on Nov. 13.

Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn will be joining audiences at screenings to watch the unedited version of the movie, accompanied by a live shadow cast and audience participation. The events also feature memorabilia displays, VIP meet-and-greet opportunities, costume contests and more, as detailed on the tour website.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; The Stander Group; RockyHorror.com