Tim Curry's Rocky Horror "Flop" Turns 50
It’s funny how some things start out feeling like a complete flop, isn’t it? Like that awkward first date, or a project you poured your heart into that just didn’t quite land. For Tim Curry, the iconic actor known for so many memorable roles, his turn as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show was initially met with a similar fate. In a rare interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Curry, now 79, recalled how the 1975 film was considered a failure, a fact that left him genuinely crushed, even thinking it might be the end of his movie career.
But oh, how wrong that initial assessment was. As reported by WKRG, Rocky Horror didn't just find new life; it exploded. That initial lukewarm reception quickly transformed into a cultural phenomenon, fueled by midnight screenings in New York City where audiences weren't just watching; they were participating. Dressing up, shouting back at the screen – it became an interactive party, a space where people could truly be themselves. It’s quite extraordinary to think that this film, which felt like a failure to its creator, has now been running continuously in theaters for fifty years, longer than almost any other movie.
Curry himself, who now lives with paralysis following a stroke, reflects on the film's enduring legacy. He shared with CBS that he believes Rocky Horror gave people permission to embrace their true selves, summing it up with a powerful message: "be who you want to be — and have the b—s to do it." This sentiment is echoed by Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors. Bostwick likens the film to a campy take on 50s and 60s sci-fi and sexcapades, but its true magic, he notes, lies in its rock and roll musical numbers. He’s seen firsthand how the film, particularly embraced by the LGBTQ community in its early days, fostered a sense of belonging and acceptance, with many people telling him it "saved their life" by freeing them to be authentic.
It makes you wonder about the hidden potential in things we might dismiss too quickly. When you hear about this enduring appeal, especially with the film celebrating its 50th anniversary with a multi-city tour, it’s clear that Rocky Horror offered something more profound than just entertainment. It provided a sanctuary, a place to belong, and a canvas for self-expression that continues to resonate. With the trending topic of tim curry still bringing attention to his incredible career, what other "failures" might have been waiting for their moment to become triumphs?
But oh, how wrong that initial assessment was. As reported by WKRG, Rocky Horror didn't just find new life; it exploded. That initial lukewarm reception quickly transformed into a cultural phenomenon, fueled by midnight screenings in New York City where audiences weren't just watching; they were participating. Dressing up, shouting back at the screen – it became an interactive party, a space where people could truly be themselves. It’s quite extraordinary to think that this film, which felt like a failure to its creator, has now been running continuously in theaters for fifty years, longer than almost any other movie.
Curry himself, who now lives with paralysis following a stroke, reflects on the film's enduring legacy. He shared with CBS that he believes Rocky Horror gave people permission to embrace their true selves, summing it up with a powerful message: "be who you want to be — and have the b—s to do it." This sentiment is echoed by Barry Bostwick, who played Brad Majors. Bostwick likens the film to a campy take on 50s and 60s sci-fi and sexcapades, but its true magic, he notes, lies in its rock and roll musical numbers. He’s seen firsthand how the film, particularly embraced by the LGBTQ community in its early days, fostered a sense of belonging and acceptance, with many people telling him it "saved their life" by freeing them to be authentic.
It makes you wonder about the hidden potential in things we might dismiss too quickly. When you hear about this enduring appeal, especially with the film celebrating its 50th anniversary with a multi-city tour, it’s clear that Rocky Horror offered something more profound than just entertainment. It provided a sanctuary, a place to belong, and a canvas for self-expression that continues to resonate. With the trending topic of tim curry still bringing attention to his incredible career, what other "failures" might have been waiting for their moment to become triumphs?
