Let's do the Time Warp once more — 50 years down the line. This year marks a monumental milestone for *The Rocky Horror Picture Show*, and in grand celebration, the Academy Museum hosted an exclusive screening of the brand-new 4K remaster on Friday evening. The event was graced by a captivating conversation with none other than the legendary star, Tim Curry. Also present in the audience were Barry Bostwick (who portrayed Brad Majors), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), Nell Campbell (Columbia), and producer Lou Adler, all of whom later gathered with Curry for a memorable photo session.
As Curry stepped onto the stage, he was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation from a sold-out, costumed crowd. Many clutched prop kits, purchased in the lobby, adding to the festive atmosphere. With a twinkle in his eye and a jest in his voice, Curry remarked, "I'm absolutely thrilled and deeply honored by the Academy for inviting me to present our movie, which seems to have endured for half a century."
He reminisced about originating the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter on the stage before making his cinematic debut in *Rocky Horror*. With a mischievous grin, he shared that Jim Sharman's directing philosophy was simple: "You weren't allowed to bore him, and if he wasn't bored, it stayed in." Curry chuckled as he recounted how, initially, he portrayed Frank with a German accent, which, he admitted, "must have bored Jim." The perfect accent, he discovered, came to him on a London bus, eavesdropping on a conversation between two upper-class women. "They aspired to sound like the queen, and that seemed just right for Frank, who certainly saw himself as royalty," he quipped.
Curry also delved into his experiences with makeup. When the show was on stage, he took it upon himself to apply his own makeup, describing it as "looking like a back-alley hooker." However, for the film, professional makeup artist Pierre La Roche was enlisted. Curry confessed, "I was actually horrified by his first attempt. I thought I was ready for the catwalk; it was just too polished for my taste. I wanted to smudge it all up a bit, but I didn't dare, because he was quite a formidable figure."
Reflecting on 50 years of cult adoration, Curry emphasized the film's resonance with the LGBTQ community. "It means a great deal to me because I believe the film's message — don't dream it, be it — is profoundly significant. I think one of the things the movie does is give everyone the green light to behave as wildly as they desire, in any manner and with whomever they choose. And I take pride in that."
He also touched upon how the film catapulted him into the spotlight, albeit with some initial concerns about his subsequent career. "It certainly set me apart for a while," he mused, "but I didn't think it would aid my casting prospects at all. I was genuinely worried it would be a hindrance, but it turned out not to be." Curry recalled a conversation with director Stephen Frears about *Three Men in a Boat*, where he questioned, "What makes you think I can play a Victorian bank clerk?" to which Frears replied, "If you can pull off Frank-N-Furter, you can play anything."
Closing the evening on a poignant yet humorous note, Curry addressed his health following a 2012 stroke that has confined him to a wheelchair. "I was getting a massage at the time and didn't even notice anything amiss, but the masseuse said, 'I'm worried about you; I think we should call an ambulance.' And he did, despite my protests," Curry recounted with a smile. "I still can't walk, hence the silly chair, which is quite limiting. So, singing and dancing are out of the question for now. I still struggle with my left leg." With his trademark wit, he then yawned and declared, "It's awfully late, isn't it? Why don't we just show the film?"
