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Cited by 41Cinema History and CriticismCrime, Deviance, and Social ControlCinema and Media Studies

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Toward a Sociology of Cult Films: Reading Rocky Horror

Kinkade, Patrick T., Katovich, Michael A.·1992·The Sociological Quarterly
DOI 10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00371.x
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Abstract

This article provides a sociological reading of cult films, in particular, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Cult films are secular documents, celebrated as sacred texts by audiences and used as shared foci to collectively create rituals and belief systems. They differ from popular re-releases, fad films, films with cult qualities, and critical cult films in that they involve typical people in atypical situations, sympathetic deviance, challenges to traditional authority, reflections of societal strains, and paradoxical and interpretable resolutions. Examination of the Rocky Horror text and the cult activities that occur during its viewing, reveal it as a paradoxical indictment and validation of traditional societal arrangements.

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Metadata

Authors
Kinkade, P. T., & Katovich, M. A.
Affiliations
Texas Christian University (US)
Venue
The Sociological Quarterly
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
1992-06-01
Volume
33
Issue
2
Pages
191-209
ISSN
  • 0038-0253 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-8525
DOI
10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00371.x
OpenAlex
W2031899000
Cited by
41
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 8492 d)
Locations
Sociological Quarterly (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Cinema History and Criticism
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime, Deviance, and Social Control
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Cinema and Media Studies
Keywords
cult films, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, film fandom, ritual, challenge to authority, popular culture, audience experience

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Toward a Sociology of Cult Films: Reading Rocky Horror. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00371.x
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Kinkade, P. T., & Katovich, M. A. (1992). Toward a Sociology of Cult Films: Reading Rocky Horror. The Sociological Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00371.x