Introduction It’s Just a Jump to the Left

Abstract

Seldom are genres—cinematic, literary, musical, or otherwise—defined by a single text. When discussing science fiction, for example, one is hard-pressed to point to a single film and say, “That’s the one! That’s the essence of science fiction.” One could debate the question, of course— something both film scholars and cinema fans enjoy doing. Sticking with science fiction for a moment, is the definitive film something heady like 2001? An immense commercial success like Star Wars or Alien? Perhaps a throwback to times gone by such as (to take just two titles referenced by Rocky Horror itself): The Day the Earth Stood Still or Forbidden Planet? Each film—and certainly many others—likely would find its proponents, and if one put their fans in a room together and let them hash it out, perhaps a consensus would emerge as to which film is science fiction in its essence—but I wouldn’t bet on it!