Scary stuff
Dr. Frank N. Furter scarecrow to remain in Kellogg Park Halloween display
The Dr. Frank N Furter model will remain, as is, on display among the nearly 100 scarecrows currently on exhibit in Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth.
Dr. Frank caused a stir recently when representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual fall array of sculpted scarecrows, suggested artisan and creator Patrick Cox cover his costume up with a medical white coat.
Nope, Cox said. Frank is modeled as a tribute to the famous character portrayed by recently deceased actor Tim Curry in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film released in 1975 is still shown in various theaters, especially around Halloween to huge and dedicated audiences who talk back and scream at the screen, often dressed in costumes replicating those in the movie.
Cox has refused to cover Frank up noting the fun display is not wearing lingerie but a crop-top on which he and his fellow artisans glued beads.
Cox said the designers went “above and beyond” to make sure the humorous scarecrow was not offensive. He said the builders bought a mannequin head and painted the famous Dr. Frank N. Furter face on it.
The Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, however, was not amused after receiving some complaints from park visitors and suggested Cox cover up the doctor, perhaps with a surgical gown.
Laurie Mayers, president of Plymouth Canton PFLAG, an LGBTQ advocacy group and the organization credited with creating and installing the iconic Halloween film icon, said that while the chamber representatives suggested the cover up after hearing complaints, the final decision was left to the creators. They decided to leave the doc just as they installed him.
Meyers said group members discussed the reactions to the scarecrow and while some were negative, a majority of supporters in the community fondly regarded the symbol of the spooky holiday and memories of the cult film.
Cox added his thanks to the supporters and said he hopes the display is interpreted as a positive tribute to the movie and the late Tim Curry.
"The majority of the responses have been positive,” he said, “and that's what fills me with positivity," Cox said.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the other fantasy, cartoon and Halloween scarecrows will remain in the park through Nov. 2.
