The hits start comin' and they don't stop coming. Tim Curry, an iconic performer across every form of media, passed away this week at the age of 80. A man who subverted every expectation, broke every wall, and charmed every heart, Tim Curry was a talent in a league entirely his own, with works that spanned film, television, voice-overs, theatre, and more.
For the man who gave us permission to be whoever we wanted to be, embrace the chaos, sing as loudly as we could, and, all around, just "Be It," here are some of Tim Curry's most iconic roles that will live with us for generations to come.
10. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
This might be a blast from the deep recesses of your mind, but in this direct-to-VHS film, Tim Curry is absolutely menacing as an antagonistic organ that tries to convince the Beast (portrayed by Robby Benson) to fall out of his fairy-tale romance with Belle (portrayed by the remarkable Paige O'Hara). After other successful sequels to blockbusters like Aladdin 2: Return of Jafar (1994), Disney opened Walt Disney Animation Canada in 1996 with a myriad of direct-to-home films in mind. One of the first on the docket was this charming, albeit kitschy, holiday-flavored return to the beloved world of Beauty and the Beast. Its entire plot hinges on miscommunication and the Beast's pride, which doesn't allow for much character or plot growth, but it does allow for an easy, nostalgic film with rousing musical performances from familiar voices like Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, Jerry Orbach, and David Ogden Stiers. With all of that talent, it's hard not to enjoy the silly little sequel at least a little bit. Besides, this film, directed by Andy Knight, showcases just how hard Curry was willing to go for even the smallest parts in the smallest productions.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? This film was developed with younger viewers in mind and is a perfect addition to any holiday lineup or family-friendly event. It includes great moments of musical and animation success that small children will fall in love with and adults will find at least tolerable. It is a very secular Christmas film, leaning more into the appreciation of community and music than the holiday itself. It also allows children to experience cause and effect, as well as danger, at a safe distance so they can understand that even the scariest situations can be remedied when people work together.
Click here to buy a copy of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas on DVD.
9. Times Square (1980)
There are a lot of controversies and conflicting opinions surrounding this cult classic, but what it does better than most other films is showcase just how involved Tim Curry was in supporting smaller, LGBTQIA+-focused stories and audiences. Even though he has just above a bit part in this production, his audience familiarity allowed for adequate funding and advertising success for this overtly queer coming-of-age story starring two unknown teenage leads, Trini Alvarado and Robin Johnson. It follows the story of two delinquent teenagers who meet in the New York Neurological Hospital after being sent for "behavioral evaluation." Their meeting becomes the catalyst for their collective dive into petty crimes for survival and the creation of their underground punk rock band. Curry portrays a DJ named Johnny who effectively introduces their sound to the airwaves and the community at large, providing them with a platform. Curry is devilishly devious and supportive in this role. Times Square, written by Jacob Brackman and directed by Allan Moyle, was relatively poorly received by critics at the time, but in the decades since, it has become a staple at queer film festivals across the globe.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? Although the quality of the script can be debated, this piece is a wonderful inclusion for any coming-of-age film discussions or queer film festivals and clubs. It does touch on some dodgy subject matter, like self-harm, drug use, violence, and other activating topics, so viewer discretion is advised. Even so, it is a beautiful interpretation of just how messy and dramatic it is to be a teenager who is angry at the world.
Click here to stream Times Square on Prime Video.
8. The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002)
It would be impossible to include a lineup of Tim Curry's most iconic performances without a nod to how many children of the Millennial generation first met him: Nigel Thornberry. Fantastic character design aside, Curry's performance as the overindulgent and frighteningly enthusiastic father of a magically touched child is always a delight to witness. One doesn't necessarily need to have seen the TV show The Wild Thornberrys to be able to jump into this film, but it does add some of the context that this film fleshes out, namely, the origins and fragility of the magical powers that the lead child, Eliza (portrayed by Lacey Chabert), possesses. This film, and the series that it stemmed from, were powerhouses at the time in introducing American children to animals and cultures that differed from what they knew through the lens of a family exploring for the love of adventure and animals alone. All in all, the film, series, and performances are all "SMASHING!"
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? Every library and community benefits from children loving animals and caring for them, no matter where they are. This film tackles difficult topics like poaching and environmental distress in a way that is accessible to audiences of all ages. It is perfect for nostalgia-inspired events, animal-lover film series, and any family-friendly production. Although there are arguments to be had about the series exotifying cultures, given the time in which the piece was created, it is generally handled with grace and respect and did strive for educational accuracy. If nothing else, it provides the perfect excuse for hosting those kinds of intellectual talks about how students can approach cultures unlike their own with respect and admiration.
Click here to buy a copy of The Wild Thornberries Movie on DVD.
7. Legend (1985)
It is really, really hard not to think of sexy Satan-esque Tim Curry when you try to collect the bouquet of his most iconic performances. Directed by Ridley Scott, Legend is an epic dark fantasy adventure film that revolves around the most direct "hero's journey" of all time: Jack, a "pure being" portrayed by Tom Cruise, must battle against Curry's Lord of Darkness to prevent the latter's plan to shroud the entire world in eternal shadow. Although it wasn't well received by critics at its premiere, it won numerous awards, especially for the Lord of Darkness's design, and became an instant cult classic. When Scott reached out to William Hjortsberg to devise the script for Legend, he cited inspirations from classic fairy tales and Disney animation. Fascinatingly, there are also three separate endings to the film: American, European, and director's cut. The Lord of Darkness get-up required Curry to sit in makeup and wardrobe for over five and a half hours each day of filming and also required nearly an hour of soaking in a bath afterward to release all the spirit gum from his skin, a lesson he learned the hard way after he accidentally ripped some of his own skin off while trying to remove it too quickly. Hjortsberg's script doesn't quite grip the audience in the same way The Princess Bride of the same era did, but the direction, sets, and, most importantly, Rob Bottin's special effects really created a masterpiece out of this strange and wandering film.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? This piece is perfect for a nostalgia-filled watch party or '80s fantasy film lineup. For students especially interested in film production, Bottin's special effects work in this film has been studied for decades for its quality, creativity, and evergreen impact. For art students, this film provides brilliant, sweeping images and backdrops that would inform any background or fantasy-forward portfolio, and for community members who want to see a tried-and-true fairy tale, this standard script will tick all of the boxes. It would also be a perfect opportunity for film and writing students to discuss what does and doesn't work in a film, considering its critical failure but audience adoration.
Click here to buy a copy of Legend on DVD.
6. Annie (1982)
This film is rife with spectacular and hilarious talent. Even though we're starting off with a brilliant Carol Burnett as the scathing Miss Hannigan, the talented Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks, spunky Aileen Quinn as the titular Annie, and the endearing Bernadette Peters as Lily St. Regis, the star of the show, as always, is Tim Curry as the conniving Rooster. He is snappy, clever, mischievous, and all-around a joy to watch. The familiar plot, based on the 1977 Broadway musical of the same name by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, and Thomas Meehan, involves an orphan and her entire rags-to-riches adventure during the Great Depression in 1930s New York City. What makes this film singular, though, is the fact that it was one of the last movie musicals filmed in the same setup as the golden-age musicals of the 1940s and 1950s. The sets were fully functional stages, and live dancing took the reins in a way that filmed musicals of the future would never be able to replicate. It was the marriage of brilliant Broadway talent and accessibility for general audiences who couldn't reach the Great White Way's shining lights. Directed by John Huston and written by Carol Sobieski, this 1982 Annie is where most people fell in love with the little redheaded orphan and her undying optimism in the face of adversity. It is full of massive dances, perfectly pitched performances, and a general good feeling for those who love looking forward to "Tomorrow" and want to one day find their own "Easy Street", minus the whole kidnapping thing.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? Annie has been a classic since the '70s and has been referenced in media so heavily that nearly every generation has some familiarity with the production. This version is perfect for librarians and teachers to showcase the meeting place of theatrical and film productions and to discuss the quality of talent provided on the screen. It is also a safe, historically semi-accurate view into 1930s New York City, so Annie could provide the perfect discussion piece for students learning about the Great Depression. In a different vein, it also offers literature and English teachers a unique topic of discussion in terms of how cliches are created (the cloying optimism of Annie's "Tomorrow" was once a ballad of hope for a world in need of it) and how they only come about when communities all agree on the same issue to the point of inherent understanding.
Click here to buy a copy of Annie on DVD.
5. FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
There is so much to love about this film: the strong environmentalism messages that later inspired the worldwide phenomenon Avatar (2009), officially or not; Robin Williams' staticky performance as Batty; and, of course, Tim Curry's unforgettable performance as the personification of destruction and decay, Hexxus. I cannot express just how hard Tim Curry goes for this character, and he did it for us. While the animation is immaculate and the script by Jim Cox earned its keep in the hearts of '90s kids for years to come, Curry's performance of "Toxic Love" has been a testament to the performer's dedication and natural talent for conflating sex appeal and villainy. This is a children's film, there's no doubt about that, but Hexxus provided something that few villains of '90s animation were willing to truly commit to: a charming yet frightening reality that humans were and are the bane of our world's existence. While FernGully: The Last Rainforest is not a feat of storytelling subversion, it is enjoyable, accessible, and offers a very clear and actionable understanding that people are doing incredible damage to the environments around us and only we, as humans, can remedy that violence.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? It is undeniably one of the most pro-environmentalism films in modern history, and its animation makes discussing climate change and destruction issues palatable for audiences of all ages. It is very hopepunk in its assertion that no matter how badly the world has been affected by humankind's greed, it can also be healed by humankind's compassion. It would be a staple for any community viewing of pro-environmental media or any family-friendly event.
Click here to buy a copy of FernGully: The Last Rainforest on DVD.
4. It (1990)
Ah, finally. The film that launched a thousand diagnoses of coulrophobia. Technically, It is actually a two-part psychological horror drama miniseries that premiered on ABC in 1990 and is not exactly a film, but Curry's performance in it changed the world of horror media for decades to come, and I would be remiss not to include it, as iconic as it is. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace and adapted by Lawrence D. Cohen from Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name, It became synonymous with the fear of clowns solely because of Tim Curry's inability to commit anything less than everything to the bit as Pennywise the Clown. Pennywise is inherently charming in the eerie way that clowns often are, but there is always a sharpness to his words, and audience members can't help but holler for the characters to make different choices as Pennywise's grip closes in on them. This coming-of-age story follows a group of children in Derry, Maine, where adults are, at best, useless and, at worst, abusive. Pennywise the Clown offers them haunting escapes and capitalizes upon their deepest fears. Curry's interpretation of this villain as "an old-time Catskills comic" became an instant hit, and he truly embodied a smile gone bad. It has been brought to life in a handful of different iterations, but the 1990 two-parter will forever be the birth of the horror that is Curry's Pennywise.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? Although much of it is graphic, given its horror-like nature, it is a testament to the efficacy of practical effects and gripping storylines and would provide great fodder for discussion with students of film, SFX and makeup, and writing. As it has been for decades, It is a perfect and expected addition to any Halloween or horror film lineup and even allows for more creative event planning, like costume contests and the like. It is also, at its core, a coming-of-age story and provides young teenagers at the cusp of childhood and adulthood with context for how to venture into the real world while still only being children.
Click here to buy a copy of It on DVD.
3. Clue (1985)
Oh, it was a bloodbath for these top three rankings, but no matter what order you watch them in, they are all worthy of a rewatch again and again and again. Clue is another brilliant cult classic (Curry was famous for those, it seems) that brings the Hasbro board game to life in a hilarious, campy, and attention-grabbing production. It includes an incredible lineup of comedic talent, including Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren, all of whom portray characters who are invited to a party by someone they don't know and asked to introduce themselves under pseudonyms for their own privacy and safety. Jonathan Lynn, who wrote and directed the screenplay, showcases his masterful wit and comedic timing with a script that allowed the talent attached to it to absolutely dazzle. There's a reason this film has earned watch parties and adoration over the years, and Tim Curry's performance as Wadsworth was absolutely integral to the story's success. This is especially showcased in his comedic tour-de-force moment when he manically reenacts the entire film in under five minutes (this is the spoileriest of spoilers, but it is very worth the watch). Lynn's script is incredibly quotable and unforgettable and provided a magnificent piece of work for Curry to paint with his dizzying charisma.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? This film is a masterpiece in terms of script development, comedic writing, and narrative suspense. Teachers working on how to develop whodunit stories with a hundred red herrings that keep the audience engaged would only benefit from a class discussion on Clue. It is also always a crowd-pleaser and would garner a crowd of nostalgic community members at any planned viewing or watch party. It is also a beautiful expression of what "camp" really means in a film, and for students of theatre and film, there is very little that shines as brightly as Clue.
Click here to buy a copy of Clue on DVD.
2. Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
The Muppet Christmas Carol succeeded because Michael Caine treated the Muppets around him as seasoned, real actors. Muppet Treasure Island succeeds because Tim Curry is, at his core, an absolute Muppet. There is so much joy in this 1996 reinterpretation of the 1883 classic, Treasure Island (written by Robert Louis Stevenson), and most of it comes from Tim Curry having the absolute time of his life. Directed by Brian Henson (yes, the son of Muppet creator Jim Henson), this script by Jerry Juhl, Kirk R. Thatcher, and James V. Hart is hilarious without being gratuitous, earnest without being saccharine, and, honestly, just a wonderful time. While the story follows Jim Hawkins, an orphan portrayed by Kevin Bishop, who boards a chartered vessel in search of treasure, Tim Curry sparkles as the surprise antagonist, Long John Silver. There is something incredible about Curry's ability to flip between endearing and terrifying, and in this production, he does it all to the soundtrack of Muppets singing all around him. Curry is a pirate through and through, and what is there not to love about the Muppets jauntily bouncing around an island in search of adventure?
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? The Muppets are another crowd-pleaser that will entertain audiences of every age, but this particular film also provides a much more accessible interpretation of a classic story. It is a great tool for librarians and educators alike to offer a critical class discussion on the story of Treasure Island and what differs in the Muppets' interpretation. Muppet Treasure Island also provides a masterclass in puppetry for students working in physical mediums of storytelling. All in all, who doesn't love a perfect opportunity for a community sing-along or pirate-themed watch party?
Click here to buy a copy of Muppet Treasure Island on DVD.
1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
I debated a bit about what the number-one film to honor Tim Curry would be, but I don't really think there are any other options besides The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Tim Curry had some successes onstage before, but he really came into his own when he took on the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1973 stage musical by Richard O'Brien of the same name. His success onstage became the rocket he would ride for the rest of his life: blending sexuality and gender expression with the campiness of B-horror films. After the critical and cultural success of the theatre production, Curry was asked to reprise his role in the 1975 film, and the rest is, as we say, history. This film, written by O'Brien and Jim Sharman, who also directed, became an instant cult classic, inspiring theatre productions and film lovers alike to participate in "shadow casts," in which actors portray the goings-on of the film in real time while adding a script of audience-participatory commentary. The plot follows a young white-picket-fence couple who become stranded once their car breaks down in a storm outside a castle. Once they approach the tenants of the castle for help, the adventure of depravity and devolution begins, and we are all the better for it. This film has provided the first access to queer culture for many in less-affirming places and has cemented Tim Curry as an icon for gender-nonconforming and queer communities. When it was absolutely not yet safe for men to wear makeup, heels, and corsets, Curry bravely smashed the expectations of what a male performer could be and what kinds of stories were worthy of airtime.
Why is it good for theatres and libraries? The Rocky Horror Picture Show is rather risque in some parts, but very little is actually graphic, and it provides another beautiful combination of stage and film production that students of either will find incredibly educational. This film also provides a magnificent talking point about LGBTQIA+ culture throughout the ages, as its most famous song utilizes a phrase that has mostly been eradicated from current language. Where do we hold grace for evolving language and appreciate what built queer culture into what it is now while also acknowledging that it is no longer a part of what we wish to build in the future? As a piece of queer media, this is among the most influential and would be a wonderful addition to any evening of queer media, horror media, or a good ol' shadow cast reproduction for the community in honor of one of the greatest performers to ever live.
Click here to buy a copy of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on DVD.
Tim Curry's memory will forever be wrapped in fishnets, pirate hats, and absolute chaos-gremlin energy, and I'd like to think that's exactly how he would have wanted it. The world lost a wonderful performer in Tim Curry, but remember, Tim would have wanted us to "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
Rest in absolute power, you magnificent specimen of humanity.
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