By: Vidal D’costa –
I once stumbled upon a YouTube comment that described Tim Curry as the ‘salt’ that flavoured even the most bland productions and I couldn’t agree more. As somebody with access to cable in the early 2000s, it was but inevitable for me to harbour an adolescent crush on this talented actor that has lasted me well into my twenties!
Honestly though, how can one not admire a performer who’s proved to be ever-dependable on both stage and screen (even under heavy prosthetics, might I add), has a dynamite smirk and equally dynamite screen presence, demonstrates his versatility in the field of acting as well as music (his albums and singles ‘I Do The Rock’ and ‘Paradise Garage’ come highly recommended for New Wave Punk Rock aficionados), and is highly revered by fans and peers alike for his range throughout a four decade long career as well as for his participation in interviews and other contemporary media (such as the Pennywise The Story of It documentary in 2022) documenting his earlier work. One might think that the veteran actor’s career would have reached a standstill post an almost fatal stroke in 2012, but he hasn’t shown the slightest sign of slowing down, continuing to appear at comic cons in person and even lending his ASMR-esque voice to various productions.
Hopefully this list will guide you, dear reader, in discovering, relishing, and cultivating a love for Curry’s most celebrated as well as some of his somewhat underrated performances in the same way that I have over the years…
1) Dr Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Even if The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a fresh-faced Curry’s feature film debut and Dr. Frank N Furter, the role that made the seasoned thespian a household name as well as a force to be reckoned with and threw open the doors to Hollywood for him, this wasn’t the first time that he had stepped into the heels of the eccentric extraterrestrial scientist from Transexual, Transylvania and self-proclaimed sweet transvestite with a voracious sexual appetite and an arresting demeanor. In fact, Curry actually originated this role in the stage adaptation earlier on. It also certainly wouldn’t be the last time, since more recently the seasoned thespian even passionately reprised the role for a virtual table read held for charity in 2020, appearing alongside his good friends and co-stars Nell Campbell/Little Nell and Barry Bostwick and brought with him the same quick-witted repartee and flirtatious flourishes that cemented this character’s iconic status.
The boldness with which Curry slipped on those heels and garters back in the seventies, disappearing into the role as he gleefully strutted about with all the expertise of a runway model and oozing sensuality both through his body language and, ahem, oral delivery (wink wink!) probably led to countless sexual awakenings and in my personal opinion, is a feat that’s yet to be replicated by peers.
Furthermore, Curry also packs this performance with a balance of malice and maturity with his body language and skillful emoting, and his sympathetic approach to Frank also allowed viewers a window into the mind of a misguided antihero, thus leaving a memorable impression in an overall bonkers musical that doubles as a gender and sexuality studies course.
Don’t even get me started on those graceful cabaret moves and Curry effortlessly hitting all those high notes.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Zinfandel Lodi 2017
Squeezed from California’s home-grown star grape, this juicy concoction that shares its name with the cult classic arrives to the dinner table fresh from the vineyards of Lodi and is a wine that probably would pair well with meatloaf (too soon?)
2) Hexxus in Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
Curry casts a spell on viewers with his seductive sing-song voice and mesmerizing intonation yet again (I’ve never been left THIS aroused by the words ‘egg chowmein’ and ‘spinach’ before) as he croons ‘Toxic Love’, a song about the villain Hexxus’s plans to destroy the environment through the power of toxic ooze and man-made destruction.
Even if his Hexxus is the antagonist of this animated feature, he sure is a charming one indeed and so the message of saving the environment was all but lost on me. Honestly if this is what they mean by ‘fuck pollution’, then count me in!
Ninkasi Cold Filtered Lager
This craft beer was even featured in a Forbes list highlighting the topmost environment-friendly brews. It is crisp and clean, just like the mountain waters used to brew it. Long known for their charity and fundraising work, Ninkasi is also a brewery based in Eugene, Oregon that is renowned for upcycling its ingredients such as over 40 million pounds of grain. The usage of solar power to brew their beer is another plus point. So raise a toast to Mother Nature and suck on that, Hexxus!
3) Ian Miles in The Tracey Ullman Show (1989)
A memorable guest appearance on this British variety sketch show featured Curry playing Ian Miles, a spoilt rockstar in the throes of self pity who is letting go of most of his material desires (consisting of a trusty assistant who single-handedly caters to his caffeine needs, and a secretary who only exists to blindly agree with the musician’s opinions!) and opting for the simple life.
However, Miles soon realises, with the help of a skeptical auctioneer (played by show host Tracey Ullman) that he is simply not cut out for a life of loneliness and regrets this decision almost immediately, instead preferring to spend the rest of the one-off sketch wallowing in self pity while clad in his oversized, fuzzy bearpaw slippers and teddy bear print pajamas, holding on to his sole possession- His acoustic guitar.
Most of the jokes and gags may not land, but even in a guest starring role, Curry is impressive and doesn’t miss with his comic timing, either (his cheeky response to the auctioneer telling him that auctioning humans is strictly a no-no on the premises is just one such hilarious instance). And as with his more renowned roles such as the aforementioned Dr. Frank N Furter, Curry lends a touch of empathy and likability to this unkempt, puppy-eyed and rather morose man-child, too.
His exemplary vocal skills are yet again on display as he sits at the lone piano in the centre of the empty room while the movers confiscate his possessions, and plays us out with a heart-tugging rendition of ‘Lonely at the Top’- a befitting number since Miles is literally left by himself in the spotlight, bereft of any possessions, assistants, or even people who genuinely care about him.
Truly an underappreciated role and a rare one at that, it is worth noting that this performance also sheds light on Curry’s ability to deliver beautifully grounded and subdued performances, a far cry from his usually more energetic turns.
Hotbox Coffee Porter
This roasty, malty, wake-up-call of a porter is made from Hotbox Roasters coldbrew and is a guaranteed pick me up, plus an instant caffeine fix after a one night stand. It also contains ingredients such as beans from South America (Columbia, Honduras, and Guatemala), as well as flavorful tobacco, all of which are part and parcel of a hungover rockstar’s unhealthy balanced breakfast!
4) Wadsworth in Clue (1985)
No list mentioning Tim Curry’s acting prowess feels complete without including Wadsworth, who is not your ordinary butler who buttles, but quite the clever and sardonic one who hides secrets but could also easily expose them, thus endangering reputations. The actor has even gone on record to cite Clue as one of his personal favourites.
In this parody of mystery movies that is also based on the popular board game ‘Cluedo’, one gets to witness Curry scurry about with the suspects as well as us viewers firmly wrapped around his finger, hanging on to his every word and syllable as he investigates the mystery behind multiple homicides at a spooky mansion, all with his trademark robust energy, gusto, and a maniacal gleam in his eyes. The role also demonstrates Curry’s knack for physical comedy, particularly as he is knocked out cold by doors and candlesticks alike!
Red Herring beer
This rich and fruity red ale is brewed with Oak and Beech smoked malt which lends it a dry smokey finish. Regardless of the name, this beer is not connected to communism in any way, shape, or form.
5) The Grand Wizard in The Worst Witch (1986)
While this television film based on the children’s book by the same name has shown its age largely due to garish 80s special effects, there’s no denying that Curry’s entrance as the Grand Wizard, coupled with his flirtatious attitude towards the charmed professors at the wizarding school where the film is set, is pure sex in itself! (Ma’am, please, this is a children’s show).
One can’t help but feel transfixed by this Dumbledore-esque figure and Curry’s bewitching screen presence is truly timeless as he rocks up in a cape on Hallow’s Eve, then gazes directly into the camera and thus into the very souls of viewers, before delightfully belting out the catchy but ridiculously camp ditty ‘Anything Can Happen on Halloween’, all of which is enough to overshadow all the aforementioned flaws.
By the way, has anyone seen his tambourine?
Witches Brew
This German Kolsch is brewed using fall spices, orange zest, and cranberries. It is also a limited edition beer that, much like the Grand Wizard himself, only makes its presence felt around Halloween.
6) Gomez Addams in Addams Family Reunion (1998)
I know I will attract haters for this one, but while I still swear by the late and great Raul Julia’s rendition of this beloved character since I grew up with the same, I do feel that Curry was still a worthy successor to Julia in the long-forgotten and direct-to-video feature Addams Family Reunion as his theatrics fit in perfectly with the energy that this particular character demands.
Whilst he is let down by inconsistent execution and bland co-stars who stick out like sore thumbs, Curry on the other hand deftly infuses his version of this totally unhinged and magnetic DILF who likes to play with fire and dance with the Devil (and with the missus too) with an unhealthy amount of delectable charm, passion, and hyper energy, to the extent that one can’t help but go ‘cara mia!’ and clutch their pearls every time he’s onscreen.
Also, the scene featuring a blindfolded Gomez crying out ‘bansai!’ during the darts battle with his sworn rival Phil (played by Ed Begley, Jr., who is yet another gem in an otherwise ill-advised and uninspired addition to the Addams Family franchise) just lives rent-free in my head.
I rest my case and now, you may go ahead and skewer me with your insults.
Night of The Living Red
Brewed as an ode to The Addams Family and to celebrate the Broadway production, this limited edition offering by SanTan Brewing Company is made from Nelson-Sauvin hops, which give it an unmistakable aroma of apricots and a slight taste of fresh peaches. The hops aftertaste is balanced with a solid caramel malt flavor. Hints of roast and espresso linger with the staying flavor of the fruity hop. If all that doesn’t capture the essence of the kooky and classy family, I dunno what will!
And now some honourable mentions:
-King Arthur in the Broadway and West End productions of Spamalot (2004-2007)
Curry’s extravagant turn as King Arthur in the whimsical stage musical fetched him Tony and Olivier award nominations and is worth the watch just for the actor donning full knight regalia complete with chainmail and robustly belting out ‘who da king?’ at the top of his lungs against the backdrop of beautiful young cheerleaders in glittery outfits. Also his deadpan delivery of the line ‘I suppose we better go and find some Jews then’ at the end of the musical number ‘You Won’t Survive on Broadway’ is iconic in its own right. Encore!
Holy Grail beer
Of course there’s a Monty Python themed beer! Originally brewed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Monty Python, this beer was given a new lease of life to commemorate the Spamalot tour and is a light golden beer with a fresh, zesty taste and a long crisp bitter finish. It’s brewed with a mixture of hops, including WGV, which gives the beer a light and fruity nose.
-Glen in Schmoedipus (1974)
A twenty-something Curry sinks his teeth into the role of Glen, a rather pale, enigmatic young man with a boyish charm and an affinity for toy trains who invites himself into the home of a middle aged housewife, before proceeding to indulge in an unorthodox and short-lived relationship with her that is equal parts creepy, sensual, and phantasmic.
If you hadn’t figured it out yet, the title of this televised play, one of Curry’s early pre-Rocky Horror outings, is a clever wordplay on the Oedipus complex which should be a dead giveaway that this is going to be one helluva unsettling watch. The outcry it stirred subsequently upon release from the telly-watching public only confirmed the same.
Although, we can all still agree that young Curry was sinfully smoldering as Glen and an incestuous one night stand with him would certainly not be the worst thing on the planet either!
Polyamorie
This tantalising brew is brought to you by the Oedipus Brewery (geddit?). A combination of Berliner Weiße and a US style Pale ale, let the mild sourness and tropical fruit flavors induced by the mango, Citra, and Amarillo hops invade your senses!
-Professor Oldman in Scary Movie 2 (2001)
I must admit, Tim Curry as the sleazy sex-crazed professor conducting a sleep study in a possibly haunted mansion (seriously, what is with this man and spooky mansions?!) is a genius bit of casting. And this is, of course, the role that introduced me to the insanely talented and tantalizing actor and one that induces the most nostalgia too. Although as a child I was also extremely guilty of overlooking his character in favour of the absolutely bizarre subplots that were constantly unfolding in this spoof of popular horror movies: such as a skeleton chasing poor, unlucky Cindy and Brenda down a hallway and Chris Elliot doing unspeakable things to a turkey at a dinner table, with even the sleazy professor feeling queasy AF!
Upon rewatch, a diehard Curry stan like myself can even spot some clever Easter eggs to his most noteworthy works sprinkled throughout the movie- such as to The Rocky Horror Picture Show (with Elliott’s character bearing an eerie resemblance to Frank N Furter’s handyman Riff Raff) as well as to It (Curry originated the role of the killer clown Pennywise in the 1990 miniseries), thus coming across as a homage to both Curry’s genius and to his illustrious career.
Lady in Red
This malt-forward amber is brewed with German heritage grains & hops. The four different kettle additions of 3 different types of hops infuse it with its signature complexity and smoothness. This is also an on the nose reference to the horny Professor Oldman (almost) getting railed by a seductive but very ghostly lady in red in this movie.
