The 1985 murder mystery comedy "Clue," based on the popular board game, has evolved from a box office disappointment into a beloved cult classic, largely due to Tim Curry's central performance. While not appearing in a vast number of films, Curry's movie roles were strategically released to capture the affection of multiple generations.
For Boomers and Gen-Xers, Curry is often remembered for his 1975 debut in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Younger audiences, however, likely recall his turn as Long John Silver in "Muppet Treasure Island" or his supporting roles in mid-1990s films like "The Three Musketeers" and "Congo."
"Clue," released in 1985, sits squarely between these generational touchstones and is considered by many born between 1975 and 1985 to be the defining Tim Curry movie. At the time of its release, the film, directed by Jonathan Lynn, was overshadowed by Curry's role in Ridley Scott's "Legend," an expensive fantasy flop. "Clue" itself underperformed at the box office, failing to recoup its budget. Critics at the time largely dismissed the film as gimmicky, partly due to its original theatrical release strategy where different cinemas showed different endings.
However, the advent of home video and television broadcasts allowed audiences to see all three endings consecutively. This presentation amplified the film's frenetic energy and highlighted Curry's performance as Wadsworth, the house butler and de facto emcee of the evening's murderous proceedings. The film features a cast of comedic actors including Madeline Kahn, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Christopher Lloyd, and Eileen Brennan, each playing characters with color-coded aliases like Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet.
Curry's performance as Wadsworth is central to the film's enduring appeal. He navigates the narrative's twists and turns with a zesty energy, driving the plot towards its climax. A particularly demanding sequence involves Wadsworth sprinting through a re-enactment of the evening's events, an elaborate monologue that required so much physical exertion that Curry was briefly hospitalized afterward. This bravura performance, coupled with the film's multi-ending structure, gives the final act a feel akin to a long-form improv exercise, weaving in callbacks and running gags, such as the recurring observation that "communism was just a red herring."
Writer-director Jonathan Lynn, known for integrating broad comedy into serious frameworks as seen in "My Cousin Vinny," employed a similar technique in "Clue." The film's adherence to the murder mystery genre, even with its variable solutions, provides a solid foundation for its farcical elements. Lynn's direction, reportedly influenced by the screwball comedy "His Girl Friday," likely contributed to the film's appeal among '80s kids encountering fast-paced comedic dialogue for the first time.
Despite the strong performances from the entire cast, particularly McKean and Brennan, Curry's magnetism as the seemingly in-control butler is often cited as the film's core strength. If "Clue" had been a box office success, Curry's role would likely have been considered a star-making turn.
Following "Clue's" initial release, Curry focused more on stage work. His next major film role of the 1980s was the little-seen "Pass the Ammo" in 1987. He experienced a career resurgence in the 1990s, becoming his busiest decade for live-action film work. Even without "Clue" cementing his legacy, Curry's dedicated performance transformed a potentially flawed concept into a celebrated cult classic.