OK, so when I say "best," you know I mean "so horrible that it's the most wonderful thing in the world." That sequel comes in the form of the 1981 gem, "Shock Treatment."
The story follows Brad and Janet Majors, who apparently got married despite all the cross dressing, cannibalistic, gay alien monster sex they endured/enjoyed in 1975's "Rocky Horror Picture Show."
Well, the night of sweet transvestites and time warping must have had some effect because "Shock Treatment" shows the married couple in trouble--and looking for help.
So who else would they turn to than the local television studio? In almost a decade before reality TV became, well, a reality, "Shock Treatment" puts a whole town inside a studio and turns the camera on them as they eat, sleep, sing and make generally racist remarks ("Your father doesn't like Mexicans!).
And the whole cast from "Rocky Horror" returns! Well, except for Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon and Meatloaf, of course. But hey, Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell and Charles Gray all make their returns--and none of them are playing the same role. Or are they?
Only diehard "Rocky Horror" fans will see the connection between O'Brien & Quinn's roles as Drs. Cosmo and Nation McKinley and their RHPS characters of Riff Raff and Magenta. The two play "character actors" who had a "series" in another country, and their little "groupie" Nurse Ansalong bears a quirky resemblance to Columbia.
But all that aside, it's the horribly wonderful story I like to focus on.
The plot is so convoluted that even Gregory Maguire would call for some clarification. (If you don't know who Gregory Maguire is, then count yourself lucky. If you're just that curious, please feel free to read my review on his awful, awful, awful books.)
Brad and Janet need counseling. So they go to a television show. But the television show is really just a ruse. But the ruse is also a ruse. And... what the HELL is going on? Oh well, at least it's full of catchy tunes like "Me" and "Little Black Dress!"
This film is the epitome of unintentional kitsch and accidental bad taste. It's wonderful. I'm rating it five out of five fabutrashes! Good job Ricky O'Brien! I'm crossing my fingers for a trilogy before you die!
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