I was born after this movie, but it is one of my favorites! I was wondering, for those who saw this movie in theatres back in 1985, who was the biggest star or stars at that time? From the importance of the roles I would assume Tim Curry.
This came out a few months after Back to the Future, so Christopher Lloyd is a good candidate. Eileen Brennan had recently received an Oscar nomination for Private Benjamin. Tim Curry was in Legend the same year, but that wasn't a huge hit. He had a supporting role in Annie before that, he'd starred in Rocky Horror Picture Show. Madeline Kahn was know from her work with Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles (Oscar nomination) and Young Frankenstein in the 70's.
Those four were probably the best known, although Michael McKean was familiar from his role as Lenny on Laverne & Shirley and of course had recently made Spinal Tap. Lesley Anne Warren had recently been Oscar nominated for Victor/Victoria. Martin Mull had done various things in television, mostly. So most of the cast would have been familiar faces but not major stars, which was kind of perfect for an ensemble comedy like this.
As a tv watcher, I recognized Michael McKean from Laverne and Shirley, Martin Mull and even the cook was Kelly on MASH.
But Madeline Kahn was in Blazing Saddles which had been a big hit. Also Christopher Lloyd was from the monster hit Back to the Future.
As a teenager, I had never seen Rocky Horror so this was my first real introduction to Tim Curry. I guess I'd seen him in Annie but I didn't like that movie so I wouldn't have identified him with that.
I had seen Murder by Death before and I thought Clue was a remake. It was very well done but I loved loved loved Murder by Death.
Coleen Camp was in Police Academy 2 but wasn't a huge star. Tim Curry wasn't a star until this movie. At the time, Christopher Lloyd was probably the biggest star because he was a beloved character on a hit TV show(Rev. Jim Ignatowski on Taxi) and a blockbuster movie in BTTF.
shareTim Curry wasn't a star until this movie? Are you joking? Rocky Horror is one of the biggest cult classics of all time!
share"Cult" being the operative word. Rocky Horror, especially at the time, was very underground. Mainstream America was NOT watching Rocky Horror. For years it only played in major cities at midnight. You think my 14 year old self had seen that?
share> From the importance of the roles I would assume Tim Curry.
Nope. It was Christopher Lloyd by a long shot.
--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?
Probably Christopher Lloyd 1st. With Martin Mull as 2nd.
Both had been on popular television shows and were well known.
____________________________
Death is the road to awe.
This is an interesting question, and I think the answer--like Ending #3--is: ALL of them were the biggest stars at that time. Each had a particular niche in the world of 80's pop culture, and each niche was different. Christopher Lloyd was by no means the leader of this pack, because they all (except Lesley Anne Warren, who was cast because she was a hot leading lady at the time) were known for quirky humor. (Eileen Brennan was somewhat of a regular on the dated 60's comedy show "Laugh-In.")
shareI dunno.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the Magnificent Seven, he was on Taxi, which was very popular, the year before Clue he was the main bad guy in a Star Trek movie, and then he was in Back to the Future in the same year.
I'd contend he was, relatively speaking, as per the op's question, "the biggest star at that time."
I will change one part of my post.
At the time, Michael McKean was probably more well known than Martin because of This is Spinal Tap and Laverne & Shirley.
____________________________
Death is the road to awe.
At the time i watched it, I'd only heard of Tim Curry and Madeline Khan.
shareAt the time i watched it, I'd only heard of Tim Curry and Madeline Khan.
And as for Tim Curry, he had done It as well before this.
home alone 2 made curry a "star".
sharehome alone 2 made curry a "star".
Home Alone 2 did not make anyone a star who wasn't already one.
Put your signature in italics or something so I don't mistake it as part of your post.