September 14, 1981

From stage to rock'n'roll. . . and everything in between

By Susie Bridges He wrote the movie that became one of the most successful cult films of all times. He's written a new movie with as much music and madness as his first box office success. And now he wants to be a rock'n'roll star. Richard O'Brien, who wrote The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and played the character Riff Raff, plans to live out all his teen-age dreams by his 40th birthday this year. (See O'Brien, page two)

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Cover (A oto by Hen Noey 2 etCetera, September 14. 1981 O 'Brien

Continued from page one) His belief in a democratic society tone, and acting along with the television fantasy is what "Shock doesn't extend completely into his show gives them a theatrical outlet. Treatment" is all about. He began as an actor in , friendships. O'Brien himself said he is "I hope '' is a landing parts in the musicals "A prerequisite to being my delighted by "Rocky Horror," but huge box office success. I want the "" and "Jesus Christ Super- friend is listening to me play the not seduced by it. single to pour out of the radio," he star." guitar," he said, then laughed. He "Rocky has been a wonderful said, "but I want these things so Then he wrote the book, songs, glanced to Jane Moss, sitting on his thing . . . but my life hasn't centered people will give me money and say stage and screen versions of "Rocky right, who had been introduced as around it," he said. 'You did allright in that, here, go Horror." his "friend." In writing "Shock Treatment," have some fun.'" He followed with another ad- She wore a bright pink mini-dress, O'Brien said, he was "aiming to Having fun, not making money, is venture for Brad and Janet (the silver sandals, heart-rimmed have the opportunity ... to indulge what O'Brien said is his motivation. innocent and luckless central sunglasses and a six-inch silver in more fantasy and madness." "I don't do it if I don't enjoy it." characters in "Rocky Horror") in bracelet. She smiled and nodded. With "Shock Treatment" soon to his latest movie, "Shock Treat- She chuckled, implying that much be released, O'Brien said he will ment." of their time together is shared with soon be launching his next career But there's more to O'Brien than his guitar as he bangs out the six project-a rock'n'roll album and acting and writing unconventional chords he said he knows. tour. screenplays. He draws and paints. Song is his best medium of ex- His five-piece band will tour to And he writes songs. pression, he said. promote the album in the next year "I'm still just a kid with a guitar," "I do not write scripts to exploit or so. he joked. He reminisced about what or extol my own philosophies of The band has no name yet, despite he calls the "golden age of life," he said seriously. "I don't plan the suggestion made by O'Brien's 9- rock'n'roll," its enthusiasm and to ram any messages down year-old son. Linus, named for the energy. anybody's throat." "Peanuts" character, climbed onto Contemporary rock, like that of With no messages said to be his father's lap, urging him to call Eric Clapton, O'Brien said, bores intended, the reasons he writes are the group "Oscar Drill and the Bits" him to tears. "I want to see varied. after the young rock'n'roll band in energy • . . the Bam Da Dam "Rocky Horror" was partially "Shock Treatment." Ooompa Ooompa." inspired by O'Brien's childhood Songs from both "Rocky Horror" He squinted his eyes and sang in fascination with trashy horror and "Shock Treatment," as well as flicks. the tiny fern bar in Dallas, beating Richard O'Brien other original pieces, will be in- the strings of his invisible guitar. Also, he said he was out of work cluded on the album. He described himself as thin. He is and wanted to write something he'd Fantasy, especially on television, With the album's release, O'Brien bald and has a demon smile. His want to be in, something he'd want is "always flickering in the corner," will have accomplished all his teen- Ajax-white jeans clung to the bones to see. he said. age dreams: writing, acting and of his legs, and the cut-off white T- "I thought Rocky might appeal to He recalled the night Dallas' J.R. being in a rock'n'roll band. shirt revealed arms that were tight, about 15 and a half people," he said Ewing was shot. "They showed it on So what comes next? Who knows. but not muscular. His thumbnail nonchalantly. Anyone that smokes a the 9 o'clock news in London, just "I'm like driftwood. 1 never plan was blue, like a carpenter's who'd little pot, likes science fiction, is a like they did Kennedy and the at all," said O'Brien. "I only work a missed a nail. rock'n'roll fan or who is "like Pope . . . that's nonsense. We're year to 18 months ahead. To see a "Physically I suggest I'm strange, myself" he said he expected to like talking about fantasy here!" big black hole, a tunnel with no but I'm fairly straight....There's "Rocky Horror." Television fantasy has even af- light, that would be dreadful." no great craziness going on," he The young people that have fected him, O'Brien said. He did, however, say he will said. flocked to see the film week after Documentary television, and what direct a film or stage production. He "I am a royalist. It's part of my week, some enacting the parts of he calls trash -"Hawaii 5-0," might direct his own work, but, he heritage, part of my life," said their favorite characters, are "Mission Impossible" and "Sgt. said, there is a danger of being too O'Brien, discussing his ties to "frustrated actors and actresses," Bilko"-are his favorites. "And limited. Britain. "I have socialist in- said O'Brien. 'Star Trek.' I'm always convinced "Writers need directors . . . ," clinations ... but I believe in a Stage success is a "dreadful rush," I'll see a new one." O'Brien said. "You can't do democratic society." he said in a high-pitched British This human infatuation with everything well."

THE GANG - Hopeful actors and actresses performed : from "Rockv Horn.: " at "Shock Treatment. Kioto b\ I ,« !<• Mi Bride ""^C

etCetera, September 14, 1981 'Shock Treatment' not another 'Rocky'

By Susie Bridget effective, but are underdeveloped. They, like Brad and Janet, are the There is no blood-thirsty Tran- objects of Farley Flavors' vin- svestite from Transexual Tran- dictiveness, and as such their plight sylvania, no hump-backed butler, is made clear. Their relationship and no Rocky. with each other, however, is un- But the violent oddities remain. clear. "It's not Rocky, it's something The physical violence of "Rocky else," writer Richard O'Brien told a Horror" is replaced by full house at a sneak preview of psychological violation in "Shock "Shock Treatment," his latest Treatment." movie, in Denton, Texas, Aug. 28. O'Brien, who wrote both "Rocky Texas is the test area for the new Horror" and "Shock Treatment," movie. had little to say about the meaning "Shock Treatment," from the of "Shock Treatment." creators of "The Rocky Horror "If the film says anything at all, Picture Show," is another adventure it's to be careful to separate in- in the lives of the innocent suburban dulgences, to make your own value couple Brad and Janet Majors (Cliff judgments," O'Brien said. de Young and ). At points in the movie, one can Brad and Janet are at home in recognize traces of mockery of the Denton, USA, described in song as a "Rocky Horror" cult in the blind place with "tolerance for the ethnic enthusiasm of Denton's citizens. races," as "the Bethlehem of the O'Brien also said he writes West," and, of course, as "The strongly for women, explaining that Home of Happiness." in this film Janet is a heroine. "She The people of the town, set inside rejects 'Mr. Big.' The world could a television studio, are caught up in be her oyster, but she goes with a whirlwind of game shows, soap compassion." operas and medical programs. The He described "Shock Treatment" couple's story is told in the context as "romantically optimistic," and it of the kinds of programs that have is. addicted America to television. The film is directed by Jim Denton, USA, is not necessarily Sharman, who coauthored the Denton, Texas, said O'Brien. screenplay of "Shock Treatment" "Actually, (the movie's) Denton is and directed the stage and film more in the Midwest, like in versions of "Rocky Horror." Kansas." The soundtrack from the film is As Dorothy and Toto were lost in madly exuberant. Dr. Cosmo tells the strange fantasy in the Land of Janet in the title song that she and Oz somewhere in Kansas, Brad and Brad are "blinded by romance, Janet get lost as contestents in the blinded by science, in need of a bit "The Marriage Maze," a daytime of shock treatment." marriage-counseling show. Jessica Harper is a strong at- Janet, complaining she and Brad traction in the musical productions. have been "bitchin' in the kitchen Her voice is clear, throaty and and crying in the bedroom all seductive. night," is persuaded to have Brad Bizarre choreography and off- commited to Dentonvale, the local beat photography are also asylum run by the insane Dr. Cosmo prevalent. Teen-agers dance to disco McKinley (O'Brien) and his in- music in ballet tu-tus; the asylum cestuous sister Nation McKinley staff and patients sing "Night Night, (). it's time for Bye Byes," each As part of the twisted scheme in engaging in separate bedtime RIFF RAFF- A member of the Fort Worth "Seventh Street Bunch" assumes the which Brad and Janet are unwitting "rituals." The audience at the preview, character of Riff Raff, whom O'Brien played in the "Rocky Horror Picture pawns, Dr. Cosmo presents Janet to Show. the population of Denton as the composed mainly of "Rocky Photo by l,\ it McBrioe leading and only candidate for Horror" fans, tried to participate in "Miss Mental Health." Harper "Shock Treatment" as they had in 356 times and have acted it out in In another scene, Eddie, one of easily portrays the girl-next-door O'Brien's last movie. the audience weekend after Frankenfurter's earlier creations, turned star, as she follows the orders As Farley Flavors addresses weekend, acted out scenes from the dances to "Whatever happened to of Dr. Cosmo, believing she is Denton citizens with "My Friends," film on stage. Rock'n'Roll," a song about the good helping her beloved Brad. a voice yells "Look, it's Jim Jones!" In an enactment of Rocky's old days of early rock and normal Farley Flavors, the station's Janet, posing in a little black dress unveiling. The Dallas Review's Brad sex. He and his girlfriend act out the sponsor, is behind the evil plan as he that was designed as "medicine" for and Janet come to Dr. Franken- latter on stage, but (surprisingly! attempts to settle an old score with Brad, is told "You're a slut. I love furter's mansion to use the phone to remain clothed. Brad. Cliff de Young portrays both you." And of course. Brad's call someone to come repair their The Fort Worth Seventh Street Brad and Farley, establishing a dual nickname in "Rocky Horror" is car, which has broken down on the Review, singing and dancing "The role of hero and villain. yelled in unison by the crowd. wav to their honevmoon. Time Warp," did a "jump to the In writing the film, O'Brien Perhaps typical movie audiences "We'll just sav where we are, then left, and then a jump to the right. depended on the audiences' wouldn't be looking for ties to go back to the car Don't want to be Put your hands on your hips, and familiarity with the characters of "Rocky Horror." but this audience anv bother." Brad nyi in his pull vour knees in tight. Then do the Brad and Janet from "Rocky was. naively friendly, but worried tone Pelvic Thrust. Then you'll go in- Horror." Before the preview was shown But. instead of showing them the sane...." Without such familiarity viewers "Fort Worth and Dallas Reviews" phone Frankenfurter has them Alter the reviews, which O'Brien could easily become lost. were presented. stripped nearlj naked and takes was said to have considered the l>est The minor characters of Judge "The Seventh Street Bunch" from them down to his lab to sec the he'd seen, the "Rocky Horror" fans Oliver Wright (Charles Gray) and Fort Worth and the Dallas group of "man. with blond hair and I tan" stayed tor the preview, anxious to talk show host Bettv Haptchatt young actors and actresses who've that he's tx'<'ii making for Ins own see what the creators M "Rock) (Ruby Wax) have the potential to be seen "Rocky Horror" as many as enjoyment, Horror" had produced this time. 4 etCetera, September 14, 1981 events etC Monday 14 Thursday 17 Sunday 20 Wednesday 23

Brown Bag Series, noon. Vernon Fisher. Fall Convocation 1 I a in.. Ed Landreth Tapping of Order of Omega.new members Unity Chapel,7 p.m. Robert Carr Chapel. gallery Auditorium. American Keyboard Music Fest,"New sounds University Chapel,noon, Robert Carr Chapel Panhcllenic. 3 p.m., Student Center Hcx>m American Keyboard Music Fest. "TCU Plus New Notation Equal New Simulation," Forums.4 p.m. Student Center Room 214. 218 Young Artists," 3 p.m.. Ed Landreth Donna Edwards. Ed Landreth Room 103. 3 Wednesday Night Bible Study.8 p.m. Student Interfratrmitv Council. 3:30 p.m., Student Auditorium. p.m Center Room 207. Center Room 222. Class of "83. 5:30 p.m.. Student Center Room BSU. Worship Focus Week 205. CLEPexam Tau Beta Sigma. 6:30 p.m.. Student Center Thursday 24 Room 203. Monday 21 Tuesday 15 Career Planning and Placement Senior Seminar.4 p.m. Student Center Ballroom. "Works by Women."Collection of the Cihon Friday 18 Forums Guest Lecturer. Frederick Phi UosilonOwiicron. tea. 6 p.m.. Bass 107. Foundation, art by Georgia O'Keefe, Mary Storaska,Discussing rape, 8p.m. Student Wranglers, 6 p.m.. Student Center Ballroom. Cassatt and Helen Frankenthaler. Opening Center Ballroom. Young Life. 6 p.m.. Student Center Room Faculty recital. Jo Boatwright, 3 p.m Ed reception 4:30 p.m. Student Center Gallery. Campus Crusade Fraternity/Sorority 202. Landreth Auditorium. LectureRecitai.Guest artist Maurice Hinson, Breakfast.8 a.m. Student Center Ballroom. Student Life, 8 p.m., Student Center Room Cowtown Homed Frog Stomp, 5:30 p.m., 10 a.m. Ed Landreth Auditorium. Master Flying Club,5 p.m. Student Center Room 218. Student Center steps. class in American music for pre-college 202. Film. "Mary Poppins" 5, 12 p.m. and "101 students, 1 p.m. Nurse's Christian Fellowship,5:30 p.m. Dalmations." 8 p.m.. Student Center American Keyboard Musk Fest.Organ recital Wednesday 16 Student Center Room 215. Ballroom. of American music by Michael Bedford, 3 Campus Crusade Concert.Phi Delt House, Religious Studies Chi Delta Mu Retreat. p.m. Ed LAndreth Auditorium. 8:30 p.m. Open to everyone. University Chapel, noon, Robert Carr Fall Minority Retreat. Camp Carter. $5. Chapel. American Keyboard Musk Fest, "Sounds Saturday 25 from Inside the Piano," 3 p.m., Ed Landreth Auditorium. Saturday 19 Forums Committee, 4 p.m.. Student Center Tuesday 22 Filmt'All the President's Men," 5, 12 p m Room 218. "The Graduate," 8 p.m. Student Center Women In Communications, Inc., 5:30 p.m.. Football.TCU vs. UTA. 7:30 p.m. Amon Ballroom. Student Center Room 204 Carter Stadium Marson Oriental Exhibition and Sale.Student Hideaway:Barry Drake, 8 p.m. Talent Show try-outs, 7 p.m.. Student Center Film:"101 Dalmations," Special Matinee, 10 Center Lobby. Pops Choral Concert,8 p.m Ed Landreth Ballroom. a.m. Student Center Ballroom. BSU.6 p.m. Student Center Room 218. Auditorium, Tickets, $2. Wednesday Night Bible Study. 8 p.m.. Chinese Bible Study, 7:30, Student Center Young Life,6 p.m.. Student Center Room Campus Crusade Fall Retreat, Hilton Inn Student Center Room 207. Room 218. 202. $30 weekend. 'Official Preppies' named

first date?" Birnbach asked By Anne Stabile McKinny. "I don't know. Probably kiss him They move in only the "highest" once," she said. circles. The 5-foot-2-inch Tri-Delt pledge Their colors are green and pink. was dressed in a bright green and They have an affinity for yellow golf skirt, a green Izod alligators, polo players and designer (better known as alligator) shirt, a clothing. matching hair ribbon and not just Putting yourself in their shoes leather topsiders, but green leather means wearing topsiders (also topsiders. She carried a green and called boat shoes) and weejuns (a white bermuda bag (the crescent- brand of loafer). shaped ones with interchangeable They can be found in large canvas parts). numbers where alcoholic beverages "Tod," Birnbach addressed are served. Lippy, "What would you wear to They are increasing in number meet your girlfriend's parents for every year. the first time?" They are preppies. "A navy blazer, white oxford Tuesday, Sept. 8, two TCU shirt, grey flannel pants and freshmen received the highest honor weejuns," the 6-foot-3-inch pre- possible for this group: The Official major answered. For the contest he Preppie Award. wore madras plaid pants, a blue Thomas (Tod) Edward Lippy II (a Izod shirt with a yellow oxford shirt typical preppie name) from over it and topsiders. Hampstead, Md., and Cindy One look at these two and Birn- McKinny from Fort Worth were bach knew they deserved to win. named the preppiest preps on Their prize was a "Preppie campus. Survival Kit" including a "Preppie The contest judge was Lisa and Proud" bumper sticker, Birnbach, author of "The Official alligator pin, L.L. Bean order form, Preppie Handbook," invited to an extra leather tie for topsiders campus by the Programming and, of course, golf tees. Council Forums Committee. "I never thought of myself as She began by calling each con- being that preppie," McKinny tending preppie up on stage and remarked later "I just like to dress asking them important questions that way sometimes." about their preppiness. "It's sort of fumy," »ai