Voices of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, and Dave Golez
Directed by James Frawley
Music and Lyrics by Paul Williams
Like the Peanuts a decade earlier, the Muppets came to movies via television. The Muppet Show was a huge hit throughout most of the 70's, enough for Jim Henson to consider expanding his empire to the big screen. Is the first feature-length Muppet film as much fun as the show, or should it be left on the back roads? Let's head to a screening for this very film with the Muppets and find out...
The Story: The movie tells the (supposed) origins of the Muppets and how they met. Kermit begins in a Florida swamp, but he hits the road when a lost Hollywood agent (Dom DeLouise) tells him that a famous producer is holding auditions for performers to become rich and famous. He starts across the country on a bicycle, but after that's ruined, hitches a ride with frustrated bear comedian Fozzie (Oz), whom he encounters at a bar. They gradually pick up other Muppets on the way, including Gonzo (Golez) and his chicken girlfriend Camilla (Jerry Nelson) on the road, Miss Piggy (Oz) from a county fair, and Rolf the Dog (Henson) from a lounge. All the while, fried frog legs magnate Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) is following them with his nerdy assistant Max, hoping to make Kermit the spokes-frog for his restaurant franchise no matter what.
The Song and Dance: Jim Henson and their crew opted to do some experimenting on bringing the Muppets to the big screen. The ones usually sited are Kermit in the beginning, playing the banjo surrounded by water, and him on the bicycle a few minutes later. There's also Gonzo on the balloons, Fozzie driving the Studebaker, and Animal's "big" finale, to name a few "how did the do that?" moments.
The wider screen and increased emphasis on special effects haven't dulled the Muppets' lovable personalities. They come across as just as fun and believable on the big screen as they do on the small one, from sensible Kermit to Fozzie's bad jokes and insecurities to "tougher than she looks" Piggy. You could spend a whole viewing just looking for all the goofy running gags and checking out the random cameos that pop up everywhere. As the two largest human parts, Durning has a lot of fun as the obsessive restaurant owner, and Austin Pendleton is adorable as his nerdy - and more sympathetic - assistant Max. There's also Mel Brooks as a mad scientist and Steve Martin as an extremely sarcastic waiter.
Favorite Number: By far the most famous song from this one is the gentle ballad "The Rainbow Connection." It not only helps to show off those effects I mentioned earlier (this is the one set in the swamp), but it perfectly encapsulates the Muppets' - and Jim Henson's - positive philosophy. Kermit and Fozzie hit the road in a number that has fun with driving gags, "Movin' Right Along." "Can You Picture That?" is a lively routine for the Electric Mayhem when the band helps Fozzie and Kermit evade Doc Hopper by painting their vehicle. Gonzo gets the movie's best slow number, the lovely "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday" during the group's interlude in the desert after their car breaks down.
Trivia: So, how did they film that opening sequence in the swamp? Jim Henson sat in a metal container with a tube to breathe and a rubber hose that allowed him to see what was going on and operate Kermit. It took them five days to get that scene down. An overhead crane worked Kermit during the bicycle scene.
The Studebaker driven by Fozzie (and a man in the back seat) is now on display at the Studebaker National Museum in South Bend, Indiana.
This was the final film of beloved ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his most famous creation, Charlie McCarthy. The movie is dedicated to Bergen.
What I Don't Like: The cameos, ranging from Telly Salvalvas to Madeline Kahn to Richard Pryor and Bob Hope, are fun to see, but they may also be confusing for those who aren't familiar with the pop culture of the late 70's. Not to mention, later Muppet films would have much stronger plots (with a bit more pathos) than this.
The Big Finale: An obvious must for Muppet fans; also fun for families looking for a laid-back musical for the entire crew.
Home Media: As the first and one of the most popular of the Muppet films, this is easily found in all major formats, often for under 5 dollars.
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