The Absolute Pleasure of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

[@LadyEvilest]

I went to a stage version of Rocky Horror and when Columbia said "You chew people up and you spit them out again!" I shouted "He doesn't spit he swallows!" Frank looked right at me and said "You know it, honey!"

[@NeelLLumi-AnCatDubh]

That wasn’t a part of the original play, though...

[@ethanthegamingguy4974]

Neel L. Lumi do you not know Rocky Horror or something? It's an interactive play...

[@NeelLLumi-AnCatDubh]

@@ethanthegamingguy4974 I do. I said Columbia’s tirade wasn’t part of the play, it was added in the film.

[@twistedrazor4730]

Neel L. Lumi After The Movie happened they added the line and it is now said in the newer plays.

[@bronwynway268]

That's amazing 😂😂

[@Astlay]

To me, this always felt like my mom's way of saying "no closet needed, hon". She introduced it to me in the early 2000's as one of her favourite movies, and that was it. When I told her about my first girlfriend, it was just teenage gossip, not a coming out, and she took it the exact same way. Only in my 20's, when watching it with a group of very shocked (and mostly straight) friends, did I realized that maybe, just maybe, this hadn't simply been a movie mom loved, but an effective way of showing support, and not just announcing it. Whenever I visit near Halloween, we still watch this movie, and despite not speaking a word of English, my mom repeats all the lines and sings all the songs, and so do I.

[@beckyenglish4783]

That’s lovely.

[@jggg926]

this touched my heart

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

A friend of mine played this constantly until her three year old son told his grandmother that he was a sweet transvestite from transexual Transylvania.

[@jackceltic4947]

This warmed my heart

[@eldrichery853]

God, this is the most wholesome thing I've read in a while 🥺

[@Directionless.Sponge]

"It's just like Catholic mass but for drama kids" as someone who both was a former Catholic and a fan of theatrics I can wholeheartedly agree that this sounds like the right reaction from the RHPS fandom

[@eoghaincooper4248]

as someone who grew up in Catholic Ireland during the '90s and went to see this every weekend (and stopped going to mass shortly beforehand), I can totally relate...

[@maggiemcfly5267]

The moment I heard that I was like "whoa!" lol

[@n3rddegree869]

Wait wait wait. There is an important part of the story that's being way overlooked here. The message of the movie isn't just about giving yourself over to pleasure, but also the dangers of going too far. Frank becomes concerned only with his own pleasure and doesn't care if it comes at the expense of others. The movie is almost a musical version of Stranger in a Strange Land where an alien gets completely absorbed in hedonism. The thing Rocky does really well is showing the downsides of both self repression and zero inhibitions. The ultimate message is about balance.

[@supershepherd]

Wow never thought of it that way

[@plmitch]

OMG that's brilliant!!! and it's sitting right there, right up under your nose...

[@Bynj3]

Yes!

[@annejohnson454]

I like your take on the message.

[@CptGoBot]

Yes, but this is more of about Matt’s experience and what the movie means to him.

[@Serai3]

* sigh * I saw RHPS at the Cinerama Dome when it first came out. My two best friends and me, and exactly eight other people in the theater. In five minutes, Tim Curry _ruined_ me for ordinary guys. Little fourteen-year-old me had no idea such a being could exist - to paraphrase Douglas Adams, he hit my brain like a slice of lemon wrapped around a large gold brick. Such fascination, and so tempting the freedom offered by the story - it let me accept the feelings I had for girls as well as guys. We returned several times during the two weeks the film was there. (I told my mom I was staying late at school to use the library.) It was indeed a formative experience. * sigh *

[@MattBaume]

Oh wow that's awesome. Was it the Dome in LA? I didn't know it played there!

[@Serai3]

Yes, the grand old Cinerama Dome, back when it was still a standalone theater! (I'm so old I remember seeing a rerelease of the _original_ Cinerama film there.) With so few people there for RH, it was like this wonderful silent temple. The ushers knew us because we'd been there many times over the summer to see "Tommy". (We would lie on the ground in front of the first row and watch the towering madness.) Rocky Horror had only a couple of weeks there, but it was a great theater for it. Later on when it became a midnight thing, I went a couple of times, but my headspace about movies then was OMG BE QUIET I WANT TO WATCH, so it clearly wasn't the scene for me. When I got older, I grew to appreciate it, though. :)

[@olly-kai]

Actually, there's only ONE Dome. Only 10 Theaters were built specifically for the Cinerama process while the other 190 or so were converted from existing theaters. While more domes were planned only the one in Los Angeles was built. The other 9 specifically-built ones used other designs. It's made out of concrete pieces that are bolted together and as you probably know was based upon a geodesic design by Buckminster Fuller. 🙂

[@patjackson8649]

Transplant this to Winnipeg and yep, pretty well an identical experience. There was a grotty little west end theatre where second run rock documentaries and cult films like RHPS played and my friends and I regularly haunted it. Mr. Curry as the Dr. had the same effect on me :)

[@KazisCollection]

@@patjackson8649 oh, what was the name of the theatre?

[@zinarmagadan3751]

It's really interesting to hear how this movie was basically a soundtrack to such a monumental night for you.

[@dinosaurdetective]

Wait... A senior named Patrick... Rocky Horror... Is this The Perks of Being a Wallflower?!

[@mar-rv2qb]

that's what I was thinking agdjsghdgs

[@MattBaume]

Haha OMG I didn't even realize!!!

[@sethcarlow8363]

yeah Emma Watson was in that as well the Movie.

[@gracehaven5459]

I saw that when I was in the hospital my senior year of high school when a nurse played it for me so I always think of that

[@null0byte573]

@@Shadow4977 Is that a challenge, hun? What's the prize for winning it?

[@Doodlebob108]

I was so extremely sheltered from LGBT stuff as child. Hell I was sheltered in general. Even as a teenager I wasn't allowed to go to parties or hang out with friends. If I was doing anything I had to be with my family. So my only exposure to LGBT stuff was through movies and TV shows. I would stay up late and watch Rocky horror while everyone else was asleep. I remember looking at Eddie specifically and wanting to be him. Masculine yet campy, and very bisexual. Now I'm 24 years old, finally out of my parents' grip and I'm a bi trans man. It feels very good to be myself now but I can't help but feel like I missed out on so many things other people got to have growing up. Still to this day I have never been on a date or had a kiss because I had no freedom growing up.

[@jzthompson9598]

It gets better.

[@ThePinkBinks]

Oh I feel you honey. Weirdly married someone I loved as a kid. We both had kinda lives of lies trying to be what we weren’t. Found each other again in middle thirties and we’re both trans but can’t do surgery, both bi, both feel like we missed out thanks to bigoted upbringings… we’ve got each other now though and survived the “wasted” years. But they weren’t wasted because we learned our courage in those years. You’ll find yours. You’re free now. It takes time to remember that.

[@rdlewis3616]

I am much older than you but experienced the same kind of repressed childhood and young adulthood. I think it led me to some bad decisions later on because I was doing the kind of experimenting that should have happened as a late teen. I didn’t really know myself until I was in my late 30s and had two bad marriages behind me. Eventually I discovered what I really wanted.

[@homosapien7316]

Are we the same person lmao edit: also I love your profile picture

[@rhiannonrede]

what r u waiting 4? Life is short. Get jiggy with it.

[@user-mb9nm7bq5e]

would you be mad if i made a short film based on your blizzard experience. its an adorable piece of a coming of age story

[@dmc8092]

Oh Matt, please say "Yes!"

[@idontrlyhaveanamebutihavec9918]

Tweet him! He's more likely to reply

[@mainstreetsaint36]

I would so watch that film!

[@novagray4143]

If you make this you better post about it

[@MattBaume]

Oh that would be AMAZING! Definitely go for it!

[@Sarah-nn5ef]

I heard that Freddie Mercury LOVED this musical and, he kind of identified and dressed like FranknFurter in the 70's. I would think that this helped him come out in the 70's! I believe he saw the musical before the movie came out!

[@gazepskotzs4]

Lol, i mentioned this one time in the comment section of an old Queen vid here on y-tube and i got a lot of negative reactions. Lol the queen-fans weren't having that!

[@weliveinasociety4629]

@@gazepskotzs4 I always find it bizarre how many queen and bowie fans are lowkey/highkey homophobic. Edit: took out stupid statement

[@weliveinasociety4629]

@@gazepskotzs4 oh nooo I wasn't calling you stupid or in denial I'm sorry that was poorly written. I meant that I've met a ton of queen and Bowie fans that are super homophobic and saying those people are either stupid or in denial. Oof I'm so sorry I'll change the wording 😖

[@gazepskotzs4]

@@weliveinasociety4629 No problem dude, thanks for the reply. Happens to me too , it is sometimes a bit difficult to put thoughts in writing especially in short messages. Now reading back what you wrote , i get that i enterpretet your message wrong, sorry for me reacting too strong. Greetings from the Netherlands!

[@weliveinasociety4629]

@@gazepskotzs4 Thanks for being so understanding. Greetings from the states!

[@lenaleewalker7704]

Tim curry slayed that frank character so amazingly, no-one will ever be as frank as tim curry was.

[@serinas4465]

As much as I love the movie and adore Tim Curry in it, I can't follow you here. Best Frank'n'Furter for me is Paul Pecorino who played him in the europe tour of the Rocky Horror Show around 2000 I think. It was glorious.

[@oliviamacarthur18]

This film inspired me so much, not by way of homosexuality since I am personally straight, but simply that it was a lot more fun to be different and weird than stuffy and normal. As long as it doesn't hurt anybody, be yourself and be confident in that self.

[@beatrixthegreat1138]

I wonder if Tim Curry ever seen this... I think he would feel really proud that he encouraged and inspired you.

[@greenbeans2539]

Many of us of that generation were wonderfully touched by this movie. I've seen it dozens of times and still am intrigued by its artistic and societal significance. Thanks to everyone who made it possible! ❤

[@1984potionlover]

@@greenbeans2539 Wonderfully touched by this movie, ... or at this movie (nudge nudge wink wink.) win win for all :) lol

[@irdthebook]

Tim curry sadly stated later in life he was ashamed for doing the sweet transvestite scene

[@1corycar]

@@irdthebook Source?

[@zoradb2482]

@@irdthebook No, he never said said he was ashamed. Not on the record, certainly. For a while he was worried about getting typecast, fed up with being asked about it all the time, and upset about stalkers. But he came round to it later and has been very supportive of the film, the fan community and lgbt+ rights.

[@heyo49]

Love the movie and hearing how much of a role it played in your life.

[@motherintoronto]

I'm amazed it played a big role in peoples lives. We had it on VHS when I was a kid and my parents loved that movie (80's). I wouldn't say my parents were weird, but my uncle (my father's younger brother) was gay and my grandmother (my father's mother) was best friends with a gay man (the closest thing he had to a father figure). My parents are straight and I'm straight, but I think my (London) family accepted gay back in the 60s and 70s, years before I was born. I remember we (5 girls and he was the lone boy) convinced my (male) cousin to dress up in (Avon) lingerie like Dr Frankenfurter once and put a fur coat on him and did his makeup (late 80s). We went downstairs to show off to the grown ups what a great job we did. He threw the coat open and our parents and grandmother fell about laughing. My Nan laughed so hard she was crying. It was brilliant! And no my cousin wasn't traumatized or upset, it's still a happy family memory and he grew up to be very comfortable with his masculinity and a wicked sense of humour.

[@naturallyunruly8862]

I saw the movie at age 3 and it has been a tradition in my house ever since. I didnt know that queer people were a thing. I just always thought you love who you love and there is no shame in that.

[@crimsonpriestess]

“Slight sexual repression” ya don’t say?

[@benw9949]

My high school self was so repressed, (A) I wouldn't have thought to do that with a pen, mine or another boy's. (Er, the Freudian aspect _would_ have occurred to me, though. I was only mostly clueless.) And (B) if a boy I knew had tried flirting with me with a pen that way, I'm not sure I would have picked up on it that he was doing anything, like flirting. I'm also not sure I would've known how to deal with that. -- Except I really wish I'd known one friend better. We were friends enough for me to speak up for him getting bullied, though. And I'll never know if one other friend, hmm, would've liked me the way I liked him. (Oh, I wished.) LOL, I really should have had a gay friend who knew how to reach me back then. wish I had.

[@belizeguy]

Wow Matt. Your connection to Rocky Horror is epic! For me, I had gotten through University, had the first boyfriend, got abused by said boyfriend, met a girl I thought I would be happy with, married her, and soon after, we saw the film together . She was all about it and embraced the film and the messages, especially in regards to giving oneself up to pleasure. We went several times in several locations and eventually did costumes until the night a guy tried to make out with me. Mind you, she was half heartedly making out with a couple at the time. Accusations were hurled, we left in a mood almost as cold as your blizzard, smoothed things over for almost 10 years until I couldn't take it anymore. Still happy I had those seeds planted by the film. It remains a favorite film of my Husband and Son. Thanks !

[@MattBaume]

Wow that's a lot of history to have with the film! Sounds like a lot of tumult but I'm glad you eventually found your way to where you belong. :)

[@ToshiMinaj3011]

It’s crazy this was my grandma favorite movie and she had me watch it with her and she clear as day said I love you no matter what you choose to be...I was like 6 and love to dance and play with Barbie but my mom would whoop me and call me names I felt was shameful but my grandma would always let me play with them n got on my mom if she ever attack me. This movie definitely played apart of me accepting myself once I understood what it was about .

[@thoughtfortheday7811]

This film is an absolute must! Not only do you learn some very important dance moves, it helps you to break away from suffocating convention.

[@motherintoronto]

And for those of us who grew up with this movie from when we were tiny tots? Born liberated? 😃

[@notnerbrenton]

I just spent the last three days in Hamilton, New Zealand, where Richard O’Brien grew up. There is a life sized statue of him in full Riff Raff costume (in the alien costume from the end of the film with the gun) in the middle of town. When I mentioned his to a couple people I was there with who were from overseas they all said “Yeah I was wondering about that!” I think it is so cool that I live in a country where we put up statues to people that made outsiders feel good about themselves. Also, I met Richard O’Brien at the airport once, got the chance to tell him how he has affected my life. He was super sweet and down to earth. He talked about visiting his first grandchild (called himself a tran-dad)... I loved him even more after that! BTW- if I am using incorrect gender nominations I apologise, at the time I was lucky enough to to meet this amazing person they did identify as male, hence the “dad” part of trans-dad. If anything has changed since then it is simply me being out of date. Either way, I met an amazing creative person who I somehow managed not to totally geek out over.

[@PassiveNights]

Brenton McIntosh yeah my ex lived in that town & told me about that statue

[@theroyalpotato8390]

11:00 did he just call me a 'land ho' ? he's right, but still.... manners love, manners.

[@isabelpacheco9400]

What a beautiful story! My husband and I met through mutual friends at Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1991. I was a teenager, and ended up moving 400 miles away from him with my parents, but the movie had already worked its magic on us that night. He found me 16 years later, and we finally married in 2009.

[@johnhmaloney]

I love Rocky Horror. I played Dr. Scott in a local cast for a couple of years in the mid-90s and it was one of the best times of my life.

[@AnnaGirardini]

Great Scott!

[@vanessajazp6341]

I was a “Rocky regular” in 1981, going night after night on the weekends for midnight movies. I must’ve seen it about 50 times or more. Some very fond memories of a wild time in life.

[@JamieTransNyc]

I remember watching it at the Waverly back when Sal Piro still introduced every show with the admonition "We don't do neck jokes"....... I wish everyone in the world knew this...

[@vegan4theanimals]

This movie is anything but a failure. Oh man, Tim Curry is “legendary” in this. Tim Curry is terrific in general but he is EXCEPTIONAL in this movie.

[@carly2290]

I found Rocky Horror a couple years ago as a teenager and it meant so much to me even now that there is more queer media out there. It has one of my favorite soundtracks and characters. Thank you so much for making this and saying the things I’ve never known how to say exactly.

[@RLucas3000]

Sometimes I Change My Name Check out the soundtrack to the sequel, Shock Treatment. The movie is not as good, with different actors playing Brad and Janet, and the supporting cast returning in different roles, but the score is just as good, both scores written by the actor who plays Riff Raff in RHPS. Clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaKWdohjn6qqqMk smile.amazon.com/Shock-Treatment-Original-Sound-Track/dp/B0000033A3/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540145275&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Shock+treatment+score&dpPl=1&dpID=414GB1D7J8L&ref=plSrch

[@Gavgoyle]

Fantastic, Matt! I'm a mid-40s cis straight geek guy, but I grew up in a small Midwest farming town that was very judgy and repressive and I always felt very much on the outside. I went off to college and started to find myself and allowing myself to BE myself. A friend taking me to a Rocky Horror midnight showing just added to that and helped me to see the joy in others being themselves (or sometimes a brightly magnified facet of themselves). I've always had such strong positive memories attached to Rocky Horror and it makes me happy to hear your story of growth and self-discovery. Thank you for sharing it!

[@pika23]

Talking about throwing away sexual norms.. My husband's best friend accidentally made out with a man in drag at a rocky horror show once. He is the embodiment of rose nylund mixed with the big bang theory guys and a pinch Forrest Gump. So it was accidental...

[@Serai3]

...or so he says. ;)

[@themeg1145]

It happens to the best of us. And that’s my excuse and you can’t prove otherwise.....honest 😉

[@Arsenik17]

I spy a wild Willam

[@pika23]

@@Arsenik17 last dragcon NYC

[@piscesempress1978]

he says ;) I bet down eep he loved it ;)

[@IZZY_EDIBLE]

What a fantastical real-life story. Stuck inside due to bad weather, your first viewing of Rocky, having your first kiss with a boy, AND coming out, all within 24 hours - less - that's Greek drama level stuff!

[@RedMoonCreates]

"Gay Pride Mummy" needs to be a slogan Honestly this is the movie that made me question my sexuality and gender. Thanks Richard O'Brien

[@CrippledChaosClown]

This movie will always be special to me, I didn't get a chance to tell my Mum that I was gay she died before I fully figured it out myself at 16. Then I remember that she essentially made me sit and watch this with her when I was 13 and we watched it several times in the next couple of years. I'm fairly sure she had me figured out and had her way of letting me know lol.

[@zippoboyshaneshank8954]

Holy Hell!!!! That clip of Michael Stipe is absolute Gold! I grew up loving REM and Rocky Horror, so to see Mike all painted up is a small dream come true. Thank You!

[@snazzaroolu7907]

WOW, I straight up started crying because of how special this movie is to you. I love that movie so much, and the knowledge that you got so much thanks to this movie just made me so so happy. Thank you for sharing this

[@insanepoet9]

This was such a sweet autobiography combined with a film analysis. Thank you, Matt!

[@spikeybunny6577]

Yours’s is the single best 1st viewing of RHPS I’ve ever heard! Don’t dream it… BE IT!

[@mac19019]

This was the Culture Cruise I didn't know I needed. And it was still better than I could've imagined. I love hearing people's stories of losing their Rocky Horror virginity. While my story isn't nearly as meaningful as many others, I still remember my first viewing. Being with my queerist of friends and snacks. Having my one friend who had seen both the movie and performance explaining the movie and her pulling me out of my seat to do the time warp. While it didn't make me come to terms with my asexuality or something like the other stories I've heard, it was a great night that I got to appreciate how far the LGBT+ community had come since then and how lucky I am to be in such a gay art school.

[@FPwLola]

This movie changed my life too. I realized how attracted I was to so many different flavors (EVERYONE in this movie pretty much) and that all the freedom of being queer was-by far-preferable and attainable. Thanks for your vids, I laugh and learn equally. 💗🔥✨

[@grahamfunnell5590]

I'm sure Richard O'Brien would be happy his film helped you. I hope the resurgence of evangelical Brads and Janets doesn't drag America back to 1975 again. You can borrow my pen anytime.

[@NateHatch]

Aww way late to this but enjoy hearing your experience around Rocky Horror and being young. So cute.

[@nicoledavis5719]

You're coming out story made me fucking CRY!!!! AHH Just the beauty and simplicity. I loved it.

[@BernieVtuber]

I love how you shared a magical evening and told it along side rocky horror. It's beautiful and such a great story.

[@gaianbeatnik]

that was, without question, the best video ive seen on this fantastic channel and also tbe single best coming out story ever. thank you so much for sharing.

[@pentalarclikesit822]

In the 90's in New Orleans, the heavy metal scene and the Rocky Horror scene overlapped. That was a fun crowd.

[@lordlucifer9544]

I'm a sweet transvestite from transylvania. 🖤

[@coolcatmemes1204]

Transsexual Transylvania 🖤🖤🖤

[@spencerwelchii573]

You need to get your facts straight (no pun intended) 1) The Rocky Horror Show came out in 1973 2) The Rocky Horror Picture Show came out in 1975 3) Fame came out in 1980 You got the years between the two films right but the years of release wrong.

[@mastermarkus5307]

I'm a little jealous, I had an abysmal high school experience, in part because I was pre-and-just-barely-transitioning at that point, and, while not stuffy, I'm kind of snobby, so I felt mostly annoyed by my peers and they seemed to mostly ignore me. I went to a Catholic high school (not by force, just because it was nearby and well-regarded) which probably didn't help, especially since I was an emerging atheist who was growing gradually more angry with religion. Weirdly, the first time I watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show was with my parents, and I generally knew what we were getting into, but I don't think they did. Upon multiple re-watches, I think that Brad's transformation is my favourite. It seems to be kind of... ignored in favour of Janet's and the weirdness of the end of the film, but I love how he's becoming like this... sub-y bisexual, and I love his part of The Floor Show because he just strikes me as really vulnerable and adorable.

[@maunster3414]

Master Markus, all the best to you and your life.

[@Tinymoezzy]

Your coming out story is so honest and warm... I wish everyone had something so soft and kind to come out to.

[@rhiley5097]

your rocky horror story is amazing! when i had first seen it was 2015 or 16, i was 12 and already out as bisexual, and i watched it w my mom. everyday im grateful that i have such an accepting family and friends, and i love hearing stories from older lgbtq people to think abt how far our community has come.

[@Kevin-MichaelWolfer-o5l]

Matt, I amazingly enough, was the "manager" of two different theaters' live casts...I had not actually seen RHPS when I was thrust into the "Time Warp" scene as one of many guest performers from the (seemingly) only live cast of the follow-up movie, "Shock Treatment"...It was subversive and eye-opening for me...From that moment on, I always had a ride to any showing...The movie didn't cause my coming out, but it helped my brother less anxious about it...

[@dnightwalker]

Oh my! That story with Patrick. Talk about antici...

[@carly2290]

... ....... ............ .... .... ..... .... .......... ........ ..... ........... (just one more) ..... (sike) .... ...pation

[@blacklotus6947]

Pation!

[@grochek1]

It is wonderful to hear your story Matt. There is one small item I think you missed in your review of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. All of the party guests were stand-ins for different countries (nearly all that I can identify are European, but at least some steps). I have always believed that this was to give a message that there are people like you all over the world as well as don't be afraid to meet someone new.

[@Kebabpunk]

aw Matt, how utterly wonderful! Big hugs from across the pond xx This film has been a right-of-passage film for many a young teen, giving them the confidence to indeed be it, not dream it. A true seminal milestone in cinema history 👌

[@jackabug2475]

Sir, you have the best first-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show story I've ever heard of.

[@Chelaxim]

Damn Matt your high school experience was wild.

[@MattBaume]

I owe it all to Drama Club!

[@MrTBoneSF]

You have a few of your dates wrong. You say the RHPS came out in 1973 (your text was correct) and then for Fame you have text that says it was released in 1975 when it was released in 1980.

[@rabbitsnot]

MrTBoneSF i think he meant to say the rocky horror show, which was the play that premiered in 1973. the movie version added the word picture in the title.

[@MattBaume]

Whew, thanks for catching that! I can't fix the dates in the video but if I ever do a followup I'll make sure I correct the subtitles.

[@kerridwynntheacegoblin6465]

I first saw this in the very early 90s, I can't have been more than 10 or 11 when my sister rented it for my sleepover. She'd grown up with the movie when it came out and loved it and wanted to share it with us. For her, and for me, it was a fun, wild romp with great music (and I developed the biggest crush on RiffRaff that survives to this day), where people just did what they wanted, however and with whoever they wanted. I can't remember how I was introduced to the idea of gay relationships -- I think I just knew they existed and didn't care either way. Find your happy where you can, I say.

[@francesfarmer262]

I do pole dancing and our routine song was Time Warp and the pole instructor is OBSESSED with Rocky Horror. She had a Magenta costume and her 21st birthday was Rocky Horror Themed. I then heard that they were showing Rocky Horror at my local cinemas. Btw I HAD NEVER SEEN ROCKY HORROR! When walking in I got given a goody bag. I WAS NOT PREPARED! When I walked in everyone was dressed up. Throwing the rice throwing the toast shouting at the screen it was such a great experience. That was my first time seeing Rocky Horror. I have seen the movie countless times now. It is my favourite now.

[@debbiebishop86]

i've showed rocky horror to three of my closest friends and the euphoria i felt watching it never came for two of them, which broke my heart at the time. The third one is my girlfriend now

[@bhikku23]

The first time I saw Rocky Horror I was overwhelmed by fear and dread, but I couldn't stop watching, and I never passed up a chance to watch it again. I couldn't articulate it at the time, but I think this movie was battering at the barriers I had spent my life constructing - the denial, the careful monitoring of behaviors and thoughts that had become so reflexive I didn't even know I was doing it... It made me so uncomfortable but I somehow wanted and needed the feelings it stirred up. And yes, over the years that chant, "Don't dream it, be it" would haunt me and elevate me when fear was holding me back from being myself, or even exploring the possibilities of what being myself might mean.

[@chandler5794]

ROCKY HORROR IS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE FILM OF ALL TIME THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING

[@johnharber9208]

I have not seen the film all the way through, but, about the time it was released in the United States (back then, it could take a up to a year for English and American films to get Australian distribution), the stage-show opened in Melbourne at the Regent, a disused, inner-city theatre which remained derelict, after the show closed a year-and-a-half later, until it was pulled down in the 80's. A couple of months after it opened, five or six of us drove into town on a hot summer's night to see the show in the dilapidated, old theatre which had most recently been used as a recording-studio by one of our commercial television-networks (and where I had been filmed competing in a quiz-show which pitted teams of high-school students against each other); we had such a good time that we went back to see the show numerous times throughout its run. Staging for the show was minimal, by today's standards, and utilised mostly scaffolding at the side of the stage while making the most of the Gothic Revival style interior of the theatre (to help set the mood before each performance, masked members of the chorus moved zombie-like amongst the audience as it entered in the dim-light, scaring unsuspecting patrons as they searched for their seats). About twenty years later, the actor, Max Phipps, who played Frank N Furter in those same performances, came into a cafe I owned and ran with my former partner, and, after confessing that, not only had I seen him on stage, but that he was my favourite actor to take the role, he would stop by whenever he was in town for work, to sit undisturbed in a corner with a cup of coffee, a cigarette and read a book; a lovely man who sadly passed away from cancer almost twenty years ago.

[@jaymillymills]

Great story! You don't look that old! As a child, i remember a couple of closeted family members sneaking off to the show for the umpteenth time. Of course, this was also not that far from a time when the general public were just swallowing that The Villlage people were just a fun group of guys and had NO clue about how much gay culture WAS gay culture.

[@MattBaume]

Haha thank you, the Time Warp has kept me young!

[@jilllybarger6645]

I am delighted to say that I was introduced to RHPS at the very theater that Michael Stipe is being interviewed in front of in that clip. Sadly, the theater is no more, but Rocky Horror lives on! 30+ years after my first viewing I introduced my niece to RHPS.

[@emorag]

Love hearing about your personal experiences. 10:05 is where the best part of this video starts. :-) It sounds like you were in a supportive environment at school. Would love to hear more about your early experiences, if you are comfortable sharing.

[@MattBaume]

I'll definitely include those in future videos! Folks really seem to like how personal I got with this one.

[@Ali_OT7]

This was one of the best videos I've seen on this platform in a long time. Thank you for sharing your experience with RHPS, I think a lot of us have similar stories and can definitely relate, but you told yours with such eloquence that it made me tear up. Next Saturday night I am going to do something I haven't done in way too long - go to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror. One thing I have learned recently is that you're never too old to do the things you love, at least not if you don't want to be. 💋

[@jamannutters7746]

This film also change my life forever I LOVE THIS FILM SO MUCH!!!!!!

[@LindaB651]

Matt, I love the way your personal story serendipitously dovetails with Rocky Horror! I only found your channel a few weeks ago, and have been happily watching your perky narratives, but this has got to be my favorite thus far!

[@Himewna]

besides that I love these culture cruise videos, I love how Wholesome it was that you tied it into your own life experiences.

[@drshellkinggmailcom]

I used to go to the midnight show during my adolescence and young adulthood. Now I go see the live performance each Halloween decades later and still dance the Time Warp with the best of them.

[@mrrd4444]

I can't wait to attend my first Rocky Horror Picture Show. I can't wait.

[@KattMurr]

Ooooooo.....a virgin!!! 😝

[@mrrd4444]

@@KattMurr without context at first I thought this was a random hate comment but then I clicked through to the original comment and I realised it is only kindness and love 😂😂😂

[@miz_logo_lee]

@@mrrd4444 it should be meant affectionately. I say this as someone who saw it a dozen times back around the time Fame showcased it. ❤️

[@wormswithteeth]

The great thing about Rocky Horror is that the story you told is very similar to many other people who since seeing the film/show have found themselves.

[@xavierdavidlluesma8030]

Beutiful, wanderful and magic, not just the movie, but your story. I wished my coming out would have been like that. Thank you for sharing it :)

[@johngreener9784]

I had the pleasure of watching my FIRST RHPS at the Pillow Theater in Monterey, CA. It was 1980, I was newly enlisted in the US Air Force and studying Russian at the Defense Language Institute. Around October, my friends INSISTED I had to go and see it. I had heard of it a year earlier from my neighbor in Las Vegas, Kim W. who had a crush on me but might have guessed my sexuality. I was BLOWN away when Frank n Furter showed up! I just LOVED IT!! I saw it many times during my one year tour at DLI. Magical time from 40 years ago....

[@idunrudemo]

Please could you do Moonlight🌙💙

[@MattBaume]

It's high on my list! Want to make sure I do it right -- it's such an important film.

[@Arella17]

Rocky Horror has always been a home staple. We've had nearly every version, except the blu-ray version. The line "Don't dream it be it" has always stuck with me.

[@JimJWalker]

As a "vanilla boring hetero man" I must say I had so much fun watching a full production of the movie. Loved it!

[@mscatmoon]

Thank you for sharing your story with us! I saw Rocky Horror as a teen at the midnight showing in the 70's. There were 4 of us, two guys and two girls. Frankie had us *all* questioning our sexual identities. ;) I'm glad the movie continues to have a meaningful impact for people.

[@holodoctor1]

I loved your story. It’s amazing how similar this is for so many gay boys, including myself! Unfortunately I had to wait for college to start to give myself over to absolute pleasure, but I’ve been a rocky horror fan ever since :-). Thanks for sharing!

[@wrinkledhermit]

That is an amazing story, I love that it was such a special moment in your life. I remember the first midnight showing I went to, I was dressed as Frank and the second I walked in I knew I had found where the people like me hung out. I joined the shadow cast that night (I neglected to mention my age, whoops) and performed weekly, and sometimes twice a week if the other theater needed someone, for eight years. I love the family of weirdos I gained from it and I love having been a part of other weirdos finding their home among us. I love knowing I was stamping across the stage in huge heels in the same room people were realizing they can be what they want and someone's going to love them for it. I may not go to Rocky Horror anymore, but it was a very significant part of my life and was the gateway to my found family. I hope it continues forever.

[@InsertCoolness]

this was such a personal video, thank you for sharing such a strong experience in your life!

[@Caroleeena]

This is just the sweetest story. Thank you for sharing it. It could be a movie.

[@RichardandPaul]

It's a transformational coming of age movie for so many. Love it 😃. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@elektra81516]

I went to see this in the West End this year, one of the best theatre experiences of my life! Everyone was shouting out and stuff and usually that would infuriate me but I knew that this is Rocky Horror and the audience "heckling" just made the experience 100x better!

[@sovrinn16]

What a delightful tale, Matt! I always love hearing coming out stories.

[@thoughtfortheday7811]

Yeah, it's a great thing he shared with us.

[@kevinalford]

I love all your videos, but I think this is my favorite. Partly because I've never understood Rocky Horror despite many times to try, and partly because of your personal expression. You're the best MB.

[@projectwaveform]

Still one of my favorite coming out stories. Thanks for sharing. 🏳️‍🌈

[@brookeg5979]

I watched this back when you first posted it, and then again this morning when it popped into my recommended today. I loved it just as much today. Listening to you talk about the moment out in the snow, I cried with happy tears. Thank you for sharing your story, and for making me love RHPS in a totally different way. I love your channel so much, and the Culture Cruise videos are truly a gem.

[@pfefferfilm]

I like your anecdote of first viewing better than the analysis lol

[@mjt2231]

Saw it in Seattle when it first came out mid 70s. Stood in line forever to get in to see it. So much fun!

[@spekticat]

*heavy sigh* This is a beautiful story and I really do like this video, but would it have hurt to use the word bisexual just once?

[@Brynwyn123]

Right? All the characters are bisexual, including eddie who he describes as heterosexual just because he was with Columbia (even though he's explicitly Frank's ex too)

[@everettbarnett8004]

You are amazing. Thank you for this. My long-time best friend became my boyfriend after this movie. I will never forget this movie, which led to my now husband of 15 years.

[@LifeLostSoul]

When I first saw Rocky Horror I identified so much with Janet and that idea of being able to "give your self over to pleasure" expert the experience for me. I had been sexually abused by both a male and a female before the age of 15 so it made the idea of enjoying sex and accepting my pansexuality very difficult. But like Janet once I experienced it I didn't really want to stop. Now that I'm older I really identify with Dr. Frankenfurter as a non-binary pansexual who finds lots of things sexy. It makes me so happy to see that Frankenfurter as bisexual representation.

[@MattBaume]

Wow it sounds like it really helped heal some terrible wounds. I'm glad you persevered and found your inner strength!

[@neallong2480]

I have to say “giving myself over to pleasure” is a foreign concept to me. I was brought up to give myself up to Jesus (nothing wrong with that). But I’ve never learned to balance it with other things that could bring me joy. And it’s hard to change my ways to this day, even though I want to. I wish I could find a guy or gal to be happy with but I don’t think I can at my age. So if you can, do it and please don’t think twice. You will regret not living life to the fullest.

[@1991-present]

Your storytime made me happy for you. X

[@MattBaume]

Thank you!

[@leirezalakain2836]

6:45 how dare you talk like that about the man, the icon, the best song in the whole soundtrack, king Eddie

[@StephenMatrese]

I love how that was an analysis of Rocky Horror Picture Show and a coming out story

[@zigmenthotep]

I used to go to the midnight showings almost every week, one of the only places a man can dress in women's clothing without anyone expecting an explanation.

[@sonofmargit]

zigmenthotep I went to midnight showings here in Copenhagen, Denmark, when I was young, back in the 1980's. It played every friday & saturday for years and years. It was a total hoot, complete with rice, waterguns, newspapers and all. Awesome start to a night out 🤗

[@zigmenthotep]

@@sonofmargit If I recall correctly, the place I went did't allow rice (gets wet and becomes difficult to clean), but they did have a monthly lingerie contest, which I won once.

[@sonofmargit]

@@zigmenthotep That is so cool :). I wish they would start the midnight shows again. The world needs it! :)

[@oscarorozcoorejel]

Fuck I can’t believe you almost made me cry over this, amazing

[@stevostevo202]

This was fantastic. I saw the movie on a Halloween weekend when I was a senior in high school and before I came out. The next year brought college and my first boyfriend. Rocky Horror was a huge help in realizing I was not alone and as a straight laced high school athlete, I realized I wanted to dance the time warp and be as dirty as I pleased. Great memories. Thanks for posting this.

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

Did somebody ever make that film about your blizzard party? Seeing as the poster wrote that 4 years ago, was the project another victim of Covid?

[@Shyringa]

I'm shocked how these people in your story are just walking in and out on this masterpiece! Just, sit still and watch! No, but really, this video was great and the story was entertaining. My bisexual butt is offended though that my bi-boy Eddie was introduced as the "heterosexual counterpoint", my man, there are no heterosexuals in this entire castle! But maybe Rocky, he doesn't seem to be into Frank too much, tbh...