Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Dr. Frank N. Furter is the transvestite from the planet Transsexual from the galaxy of Transylvania in the cult-classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Originally a theatrical play, this macabre musical made its debut in 1975. The film cast many of the performers from the original London, L.A. and Broadway shows, keeping the film true to the original theatrical performances.

The opening credits of the movie show the iconic pair of huge disembodied red lips singing “Science Fiction/ Double Feature,” my favorite song of the movie. This is one of the best opening credits to a movie I have ever seen because of its catchy song and odd image of the larger-than-life lips.

A young and innocent couple named Brad and Janet are on their way to see their former college professor when they catch a flat on a remote dirt road. Seeking refuge and a phone, the couple enters a castle only to encounter Dr. Frank N. Furter, and his group of unusual aliens from the galaxy Transylvania.

Dr. Frank N Furter is the star of the film with his flamboyant dances and transvestite outfits. Brad and Janet arrive just as the doctor finishes his new creation. The doctor brings his version of Frankenstein to life: a perfect man with chiseled abs and muscular arms whose purpose is to please the doctor.

Rock-and-roller Meat Loaf, who has sold 43 million copies of his album “Bat out of Hell,” has a great performance in the movie as the role of Eddie, one of the doctor’s failed experiments. Eddie interrupts the doctor when he breaks through the laboratory wall on his motorcycle and begins wailing away on his saxophone in the very catchy “Hot Patootie- Bless My Soul.”

The innocent couple is taken on a wild ride through the castle as their conservative values is tested through sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, cannibalism and more.

The film gained such a cult following that viewers began to participate during the movie using props and costumes. Sal Piro, president of the official fan club, founded the club in 1977 and was one of the original audience participants at the Waverly Theatre in New York.

Audience participation started when people began shouting lines at the movie. A kindergarten teacher named Louis Farese was credited as the first person to respond to the movie in 1976 at Waverly Theatre with such lines as “buy an umbrella, you cheap bitch!” when heroine Janet is walking through the rain.

From shouting lines at the screen, audience participation evolved to using props and acting out scenes during screenings. People began throwing rice in the theater during the wedding scene in the beginning of the movie.

“It caused pandemonium in the theatre,” Piro said

It is very rare for a movie to gain such a loyal community of fans. Fans have been known to watch the movie hundreds of times, recite whole scenes and songs by heart and recognize very subtle mistakes. Even 35 years after its release, this cult-classic has stood the test of time.

Tzahuiztil Sanchez can be reached at [email protected]