This year marks a significant milestone in cinematic history as The Rocky Horror Picture Show celebrates its 50th anniversary. To honor this iconic film, the Academy Museum hosted a special screening of the new 4K remaster on a festive Friday night. The event featured an engaging conversation with the legendary star, Tim Curry, who is best known for his unforgettable role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
The celebration was attended by several key figures from the film, including Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), Nell Campbell (Columbia), and producer Lou Adler. These stars joined Curry on stage for a memorable photo opportunity, showcasing the enduring legacy of this cult classic. As Curry took the stage, he was met with a thunderous standing ovation from a sold-out crowd, many of whom donned costumes and held prop kits purchased from the lobby. In his opening remarks, Curry expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m so excited by this and very honored by the Academy to do this presentation of our movie, which has dragged on for 50 years.”
During the discussion, Curry reflected on his journey from the theater stage to the big screen, where he first brought the character of Dr. Frank-N-Furter to life. He humorously recalled the unique directing style of Jim Sharman, revealing that he aimed to avoid boring the director during performances. Curry initially approached the character with a German accent, but after overhearing a conversation on a London bus, he discovered the perfect upper-class accent that suited Frank perfectly. “They wanted to sound like the queen and that seemed appropriate for Frank, really, who clearly thought he was the queen,” he noted.
Curry also shared his experiences with makeup, recalling how he previously handled his own makeup during theater performances. He described his initial look as “like a back-street hooker.” However, for the film adaptation, professional makeup artist Pierre La Roche was brought on board. Curry candidly admitted his initial horror at La Roche’s polished look, stating, “I wanted to just kind of smudge it all, but I didn’t dare, because he was a very formidable character.”
Looking back on 50 years of cult fandom, Curry expressed his pride in the film’s resonance with the LGBTQ audience. He emphasized the significance of the film’s message, “don’t dream it, be it,” and how it encourages individuals to embrace their true selves. “One of the things that the movie does, I think, is give anyone permission to behave as badly as they really want, in whatever way and with whom. And I’m proud of that,” he remarked.
As Curry reminisced about his career following the success of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he acknowledged that while it marked him out from others, it did not necessarily aid in casting opportunities. He recalled a conversation with director Stephen Frears regarding his role in “Three Men in a Boat,” where Frears reassured him, “If you can play Frank-N-Furter, you can play anything.”
Tim Curry concluded the evening by opening up about his health struggles following a stroke in 2012, which left him in a wheelchair. He described the moment he realized something was wrong during a massage session, saying, “I still can’t walk, which is why I’m in this silly chair, and that’s very limiting.” Despite these challenges, Curry maintained his signature humor, jokingly yawning and commenting, “It’s awfully late, isn’t it? Why don’t we show the pic?”
The 50th anniversary celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show not only commemorated the film’s legacy but also highlighted the personal stories and experiences of the cast that brought it to life. As the film continues to inspire generations, it remains a vibrant symbol of self-expression and acceptance in the world of cinema.
