Growing up fat, one catches a lot of television. A lot. Some programs, which could easily be passed over to the casual viewer, don’t escape the attention of those passionately devoted to the ‘tube. If it was on, chances are I caught it – even if the quality of its storyline & production value don’t merit any critical commendation. One program that will never leave my memory is the 1986 television adaptation of the Jill Murphy children’s book, The Worst Witch. Originally produced for U.K. television, The Worst Witch enjoyed substantial airplay on HBO in the 80’s.
Now, this was more of my little sister’s kind of program. The story is about a young student at a witch academy who must endure the ostracization of schoolmates and the distrust of the school faculty. Learning to be a witch and coping with adolescence can be so trying. Mmm, the precursor to Potter?? I wonder if Murphy’s lawyers (or solicitors or barristers or whatever) had anything to say about Rowling’s success. But I digress.
Well, to tell you the truth, it’s not really good. In fact, it’s quite bad. But before I sell you on never seeing it, I should share with you its positives. First, Charlotte Rae. That’s right, Mrs. Edna Garrett herself. I keep waiting for Mrs. G. to call out for Tootie or little Arnold Jackson-Drummond. Rae is so classic in everything, including her recent comments in the press, throwing down the gauntlet to Joan Collins. She may be going senile, but she will live on through Family Guy references.
Also, Witch features Dame Diana Rigg (The Avengers, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Great Muppet Caper). Like conservative pundit Tammy Bruce, I have a thing for Emma Peel. I guess I was born 40 years too late. Interestingly, the lead role is supplied by a young Fairuza Balk (Waterboy, American History X), as a harbinger of her breakout role in The Craft ten years later.
Anywho, to get to my point, the show-stealer is legendary Tim Curry, who plays the quasi-Dumbledore-ish “Grand Wizard.” The G.W. is revered by the witch community, who has accorded him rock-star status. When he arrives for Halloween, he breaks into song for all of the young witches. Now this is quite possibly the greatest thing to be shown on Home Box Office in the 80’s (next to Fraggle Rock and Video Jukebox). Really, this is the only part of the movie you need to see. Just watch below and don’t bother with the rest.
But this got me thinking - What all has Tim done? Let’s see, there was Dr. Frankenfurter, of course - the role he created and is immortalized for (although I don’t really get the fascination with Rocky Horror), plenty of theatre work, and there are countless voice-over parts in animated features and shows. But everything else is supporting/character roles. I mean this guy is British for crying out loud (that’s significant, because, to quote Kevin Smith, “the Brits invented acting”).
He’s been nominated for Tony’s, Emmy’s, a Razzie, and he’s actually won a Daytime Emmy. I think he’s a fine actor, if not a great one. He’s the reason behind many people’s fear of clowns, as he brought to life the evil Pennywise in the television adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. But to think he’ll never win an Oscar, it’s kinda sad – like sad in the way that Raul Julia's film legacy ended with Street Fighter. I think Curry is far better than just another character actor. See below to see why. No, scratch that - watch IT to see why. Watch the video below to see cheesy 80's British television.
