~ From The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

When I was a little girl, my mother and I often spent Saturday evenings watching a local TV program called Fright Night, featuring old, low-budget horror movies and hosted by a character named Seymour, played by actor Larry Vincent.  Just before the movie started, my mom would make popcorn the old-fashioned way, in a big heavy aluminum pan, and empty all of it into a bowl which we would, of course, top with real melted butter.  In later years, Seymour was replaced by a female host in a low-cut dress who called herself, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.  I loved watching those old, spooky, often silly movies that my mom referred to as, "campy".

When I became a teenager, the place to see old movies became the local vintage movie house.  Back then there were a great many of the movie palaces from the 1920's and 30's still operating.  Multiplexes were not everywhere yet and dvd's didn't even exist.  These single-screen movie theaters would stay in business by showing older movies at a discounted admission price.  Every weekend they would feature a midnight movie that usually attracted crowds of teenagers who tended to enjoy altered states of mind.  The old theatre near me was The Bijou in Hermosa Beach, California.  Most weekends, the midnight movie alternated between the latest surfing flick and Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same. However, at Halloween time, the midnight movie de rigueur  was The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  All the stoners and surfers had to make room for the local drama geeks and punk rockers as the theater filled up with costumed Rocky Horror fans.

I remember going to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show one Halloween with my friend Francesca.  Her sister was such a dedicated fan that she showed up dressed in a full Dr. Frankenfurter costume, complete with fishnets, fangs and a fully-loaded water pistol (to simulate the rain depicted in the opening scene of the movie).  I learned to do the Timewarp that night.  I think I can still remember it (jump to the left, step to the right, hands on hips, knees in tight).

The Bijou closed its doors in 1996 to make way for retail shops.

I miss those old movie theaters with their painted ceilings and ornate, art deco fixtures.

I miss films that were more spooky than scary, more goofy than gory.

I miss the midnight movie.

~~~~~~~~~

Celebrate the colors of midnight and cult films from the past with these delicious Blue Velvet Cupcakes.  

1 & 1/2 cups frozen organic blueberries, thawed (do not drain)

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick of butter, melted and cooled slightly

3/4 cup organic Fair Trade Certified sugar

1/2 cup organic milk

2 large organic eggs

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons organic Fair Trade Certified sugar

3 tablespoons packed organic Fair Trade Certified light brown sugar

3 tablespoons organic milk

1 (3.5 oz) bar Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate (72% cacao), broken into pieces 

Puree thawed blueberries and their juices in a blender until liquified (you should have one cup of puree).  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°

Line 2 muffin/cupcake pans with 18 paper liners.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until thoroughly mixed.

In another large bowl, mix melted butter and sugar, then add blueberry puree, milk and eggs. Mix well.

Add flour mixture to wet mixture and stir together until well combined.  Do not over-beat.

Divide batter evenly among the 18 lined muffin cups.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make glaze:

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, bring butter, sugars and milk to a boil, stirring often. Let boil for one minute.  Remove from heat and stir in chocolate pieces.  Stir until fully mixed and smooth.

Using a spreader, immediately frost cupcakes with a thin but opaque layer of the glaze.

Makes 18 cupcakes.