January 2006
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0601/nfr.html
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced his annual selection of 25 motion pictures to be added to the National Film Registry in December 2005. This group of titles brings the total number of films placed on the registry since its creation by Congress in 1988 to 425.
Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant motion pictures to the registry. The list is designed to reflect the full breadth and diversity of America’s film heritage, thus increasing public awareness of the richness of American cinema and the need for its preservation. In making the announcement, the Librarian said, “By preserving American films, we safeguard a significant element of American creativity and our cultural history for the enjoyment and education of future generations.”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)
The ultimate “midnight movie,” “Rocky Horror” revolutionized prevailing notions of audience participation during film screenings. Words to remember: “It’s astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll.”
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Mr. Askland would like to point out that the US Supreme Court has defined legal censorship for material that is “Obscene” – In order to qualify legally as obscene the material must be devoid of any artistic, aesthetic or scientific value. Since the RHPS has now been added to the National Film Registry, it would not appear to meet the legal definition of obscene.