Did you like Tim Curry's Pennywise?

[Sephiroth]

This debate erupted on social media for me earlier today. It seems like everyone loved it and look to it as the holy grail of evil clowns. But I'm not as hot for it, personally-and I say that as a huge fan of Tom Curry. His version of the character was fun-but it just wasn't true to the source material. Granted he had to make the most out of the limitations he had to work with. I feel like it was a little too manic and zany; when I picture the character talking, I imagine a more Cheshire Cat kind of quality, and that he would talk in a kind of sing-songy manner like he is saying "I know something you don't know, I know something you don't know!" but not the cackling carrtooniness of Curry's version. Very curious to see how this new version pans out.

[Kevin Hamilton]

Of course. Absolute blast of a performance.

Without him, that miniseries would've been as forgotten as any other tv movie of the week. You certainly wouldn't be getting a big screen adaptation. The book would only be read by King fans etc.

It pretty much doesn't matter how faithful it was to be honest; different mediums and all.

[Citizen Snips Has Left]

I was 10, I think, when It originally aired and staying up late in bed to get scared to death by Tim Curry's Pennywise is one of my favorite TV memories to this day. It's still very entertaining to me today as a performance, but he was just so scary as kid that I'll always give him props for that role.

[H-Virus]

Curry is that dude. I can't even count the times I've been able to sit through an otherwise shit movie solely on his performance in it. He may be my favorite actor of all time.

In that same vein, Pennywise is The Evil Clown for me, and Curry was perfect for it.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

It left an impression, I'll say that.

[Porky's Butthole]

Is it just me or does it seem like EVERY roll he's been in was the role he was born to play?

Pennywise, Cardinal Richleau, Dr. Frank...

[Jiren]

The movie was alright but Curry was fantastic

[Totorob101]

He was great and im still freaked out watching his performance to this day, espicially the shower scene. Awesome actor, awesome pennywise.

[Deleted]

I watched the tv movie multiple times before I read the book, so I had Tim Curry's Pennywise in my head as I read the book.

[Capt Lunatic]

Apr 30, 2017 18:32:55 GMT -5 Sephiroth said:

This debate erupted on social media for me earlier today. It seems like everyone loved it and look to it as the holy grail of evil clowns. But I'm not as hot for it, personally-and I say that as a huge fan of Tom Curry. His version of the character was fun-but it just wasn't true to the source material. Granted he had to make the most out of the limitations he had to work with. I feel like it was a little too manic and zany; when I picture the character talking, I imagine a more Cheshire Cat kind of quality, and that he would talk in a kind of sing-songy manner like he is saying "I know something you don't know, I know something you don't know!" but not the cackling carrtooniness of Curry's version. Very curious to see how this new version pans out.

Spell his name correctly.

[thirteen3]

He was the highlight of the whole movie.

[Glitch]

So how wasn't he like the source material?
I haven't read the book, I have no clue.

[The Ichi]

Curry is the reason people remember that movie, and I say that as a fan of the movie. Without that performance, it would have been remembered about as well as the Tommyknockers mini-series.

[Hit Girl]

Yes, it was brilliant.

[Push R Truth]

Tim Curry's Pennywise was an amazing portrayal. You could argue if it's true to the source material. But in my opinion? It's kinda like the Joker arguments with Nicholson, Ledger, Romero and animated Hamill. You have 4 quality portrayals. Each went their own direction. That's perfectly fine. I'd rather have 4 quality performances that may not be "true" rather than a true performance that's shit.

[Deleted]

Apr 30, 2017 22:54:38 GMT -5 H-Virus said:

Curry is that dude. I can't even count the times I've been able to sit through an otherwise shit movie solely on his performance in it. He may be my favorite actor of all time.

In that same vein, Pennywise is The Evil Clown for me, and Curry was perfect for it.

He even stands out in The Shadow (and I've heard many deserved dissections of that film take a time out and acknowledge how good he was in that before continuing on...) and even that damn McHale's Navy movie.

[Magnus the Magnificent]

Absolute nightmare fuel.

[Fundertaker]

It's Tim Curry. Playing a villain. Of course I love it!

[Seth Drakin of Monster Crap]

They all float down here.

[lionheart21]

May 1, 2017 8:01:24 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Tim Curry's Pennywise was an amazing portrayal. You could argue if it's true to the source material. But in my opinion? It's kinda like the Joker arguments with Nicholson, Ledger, Romero and animated Hamill. You have 4 quality portrayals. Each went their own direction. That's perfectly fine. I'd rather have 4 quality performances that may not be "true" rather than a true performance that's shit.

And now I'm disappointed that we never got to see Curry play The Joker.