THE MUPPET MOVIE

Hello everyone! I thought that today I would share some facts about “THE MUPPET MOVIE” [1979] with all of you.

Do you guys know who DIRECTED this film?

JAMES FRAWLEY (SEPTEMBER 29, 1936 – JANUARY 22, 2019), The DIRECTOR of “THE MUPPET MOVIE”, is himself suitably colorful—perfect for wrangling a host of hilarious, human-esque characters! FRAWLEY got his start on stage in the acclaimed 1960s OFF-BROADWAY improvisational troupe THE PREMISE, later appearing on TV’s “GUNSMOKE” [1955-75], “THE OUTER LIMITS” [1963-65, 1995-2002] and “THE DANNY KAYE SHOW” [1963-67]. In the meantime, FRAWLEY was cultivating his skills as a PHOTOGRAPHER; helming an acclaimed short film called “J-24” [1960] led FRAWLEY to DIRECTING, and he eventually won an EMMY AWARD as DIRECTOR on the fan-favorite ‘60s sitcom “THE MONKEES” [1966-1968].

[FRAWLEY]

“MUPPETS” CREATOR, PERFORMER, PRODUCER and DIRECTOR JIM HENSON (SEPTEMBER 24, 1936 – MAY 16, 1990) wanted to direct “THE MUPPET MOVIE” himself. But, he was eventually persuaded to allow an experienced filmmaker to come in and take charge. HENSON had never shot a film before, and THE PRODUCERS chose DIRECTOR JAMES FRAWLEY to take the helm. Although this was incredibly frustrating for HENSON, he seemed to work well with FRAWLEY. FRAWLEY was familiar with directing quirky material, like episodes of the TV show, “THE MONKEES” [like I mentioned before], and HENSON liked his sense of humor. FRAWLEY performed a screen test, which helped him understand the characters and how they worked, and whether or not they would fit into the real world. In a “USA TODAY” article, THE DIRECTOR said, "We shot them in and among cows — real locations though — trees, farmland and cars to see if you accepted their reality mixed in with real reality."

[HENSON and “KERMIT THE FROG”.]

Do you know how the cars in the movie were operated?

The illusion of “FOZZIE BEAR” [FRANK OZ] driving the STUDEBAKER was achieved by having a little person drive the car via remote control from the trunk, using a television monitor to guide his steering. THE PUPPETEERS would lie on the seat or floor and not see a thing. The first time they tested it, the television monitor went on the blink, and the DRIVER had to be talked through the scene by an ASSISTANT DIRECTOR on a WALKIE-TALKIE ("A little to the right, now, to the left...hold it...").

HENSON was determined to use the larger budget of a feature film to push the technological limits and capabilities of puppetry. One of the most difficult feats (and one that appears deceptively easy on-screen) was making “KERMIT” [HENSON] ride a bicycle.

To have “KERMIT THE FROG” ride a bicycle in a full-body shot, a “KERMIT” puppet with legs was posed onto the seat and his legs and arms were attached to the pedals and handlebars. An overhead crane with a marionette system held the bicycle through strong strings invisible to the camera, guiding the bicycle forward. The crane and system was out of the camera's frame of vision.

Did you know that some of the musical numbers in the movie came with their own challenges as well?

"I HOPE THAT SOMETHIN’ BETTER COMES ALONG" is a rare duet between “ROWLF THE DOG” and “KERMIT”, because HENSON usually performed both characters. “KERMIT”, a simple "glove" puppet, could be operated with one hand, but because of his design, “ROWLF” required two performers: HENSON’S right hand would control the mouth, his left hand would control “ROWLF’S” left hand, while another PUPPETEER would operate the right hand--meaning that in order to perform both roles at once, HENSON would need three hands. In order to achieve the duet, the two tracks were recorded separately by JIM, and then combined into one. HENSON and another PUPPETEER performed “ROWLF” (who required a more dynamic performance), while “KERMIT”, who only had to sit and "lip-sync" the number, was taken over by a third PUPPETEER, marking one of the rare times HENSON entrusted “KERMIT’S” performance to someone other than himself.

“THE MUPPET MOVIE” begins, after the cold open and opening credits, with “KERMIT” sitting on a log, strumming his BANJO, and singing “RAINBOW CONNECTION.” It’s one of the most famous opening scenes in a movie. It was also the first time a hand puppet had been performed while its full body was on screen. How did HENSON make that happen? He climbed into a metal container designed for the movie with a monitor and an air hose so he could breathe. The container, with HENSON inside, was put under the water, and he worked from there. HENSON and the crew did this for five whole days!!

[A shot of HENSON and other crew members getting ready to film the “RAINBOW CONNECTION” scene.]

The closing reprise of "Rainbow Connection" featured a crowd of more than 250 “MUPPET” characters, virtually every “MUPPET” that had been created up to that point in time. According to JIM HENSON archivist KAREN FALK: "One hundred and thirty-seven PUPPETEERS were enlisted from THE PUPPETEERS OF AMERICA (along with the regular “MUPPET PERFORMERS”) to perform every “MUPPET” extant. Prior to the day-long filming of the shot, HENSON gave the enthusiastic participants a lesson in the art of cinematic puppetry. Amazingly, it did take just one day." “THE MUPPET SHOW FAN CLUB NEWSLETTER” answered the question of "How did they do it?" The response was "There are 250 puppets in the last shot of the film, and they're all moving. How? One hundred fifty PUPPETEERS in a six foot deep, 17-foot wide pit, that's how. They were recruited through THE LOS ANGELES GUILD OF THE PUPPETEERS OF AMERICA and almost every PUPPETEER west of THE ROCKIES reported for pit duty." Filmmakers TIM BURTON and JOHN LANDIS were among those PUPPETEERS who were brought in.

[All of “THE MUPPETS” at that point in time together in one shot!]

[LANDIS]

[BURTON along with some of his rather unique cast of characters.]

Did you know that the ORSON WELLES scene is a moment featuring a bit of meta humor?

ORSON WELLES [MAY 6, 1915 – OCTOBER 10, 1985] plays a studio EXECUTIVE named “LEW LORD” who draws up “a standard rich-and-famous contract” for “THE MUPPETS”. It's a reference to real-life PRODUCER SIR LEW [LATER LORD] GRADE [DECEMBER 25, 1906 – DECEMBER 13, 1998]. When HENSON was trying to find a PRODUCER to make “THE MUPPET SHOW” (1976-1981) happen, no AMERICAN network understood, nor was interested in the concept. GRADE recognized HENSON’S vision and made the show possible!

[WELLES and “THE MUPPETS”.]

[LORD GRADE [above] also went by the names LEV WINOGRADSKY [his birth name] also spelled as LOUIS WINOGRADSKY, LOUIS GRAD [a stage name], was later KNIGHTED in 1969 and was given the title of a life peer aka a BARON in 1976! He was also known as BARON GRADE OF ELSTREE.]

Did you know that there are two special T.V. events that promoted the film?

In MAY 1979, CBS aired “THE MUPPETS GO HOLLYWOOD”, a one-hour television special that promoted the then-upcoming release of “THE MUPPET MOVIE”. In APRIL, the film had been promoted when “THE MUPPETS” hosted “THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON” [October 1, 1962 to May 22, 1992] on NBC.

[An advertisement for “THE MUPPET GO HOLLYWOOD”]

[CARSON - OCTOBER 23, 1925 – JANUARY 23, 2005.]

Did you know that one scene in the film has a connection to another famous motion picture?

The film follows “THE MUPPETS” on their journey to HOLLYWOOD, as they dream of big-screen stardom—all the while pursued by the flamboyantly evil “DOC HOPPER” (CHARLES DURNING), a fast-food tycoon who wants “KERMIT” to star in his commercials. The climactic scene where “KERMIT” and friends finally face off against “DOC” and his henchmen is portrayed in classic WESTERN-FILM style [“KERMIT” is even seen wearing a cowboy hat.]… and was even shot at the very same location as the showdown in GARY COOPER’S iconic 1952 WESTERN “HIGH NOON”.

[“KERMIT” facing off against “DOC HOPPER” and his men.]

[A poster from “HIGH NOON” featuring COOPER.] [Can you tell that “THE MUPPET MOVIE” cast and crew were paying homage to this iconic shot?]

Did you know that “THE MUPPET MOVIE” is currently being preserved?

In 2009, “THE MUPPET MOVIE” was chosen to be part the prestigious NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY by THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. So what exactly does that mean? Every year since 1988, the REGISTRY’S PRESERVATION BOARD selects 25 films—deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”—that showcase the enduring range and diversity of AMERICAN film heritage, all in an effort to increase awareness for its preservation. I’m sure any “MUPPET” FAN would agree: Preserving “THE MUPPET MOVIE” for future generations is a fantastic idea!

“THE MUPPET MOVIE” is the first motion picture based on a TV show to be preserved in THE NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY.

When “ANIMAL” [OZ] accidentally eats “DR. BUNSEN HONEYDEW’S” [DAVE GOELZ] “INSTA-GROW PILLS”, he memorably balloons through the roof. HENSON refused to use a normal puppet on a miniature set to accomplish this effect, so his crew had to construct a gigantic “ANIMAL” head that measured sixty feet.

The song “I’M GOING TO GO BACK THERE SOMEDAY” was one of HENSON’S favorites, and “GONZO’S” performer, [also] GOELZ performed it at HENSON’S MEMORIAL. GOELZ also recorded a new version of the song for the 6th “MUPPET” film, “MUPPETS FROM SPACE” [1999], in 4/4 time. It wasn't used in the film, but it was included on the soundtrack album.

[“THE GREAT GONZO” with GOELZ.]

EDGAR BERGEN [FEBRUARY 16, 1903 – SEPTEMBER 30, 1978] [appearing as himself] died shortly after his scene was shot in 1978. It held particular meaning for JIM HENSON, who cited, on many occasions, how BERGEN and his wooden sidekick, “CHARLIE McCARTHY”, influenced his interest in puppetry. The end credits include a dedication to BERGEN.

[Left to right: “CHARLIE” and EDGAR.]

Cinematographer ISIDORE MANKOFSKY [SEPTEMBER 22, 1931 – MARCH 11, 2021] said he enjoyed working on this movie because "no one complained about the light in his eyes or how long he had to stand in - you just stuck them on a pole. And the puppeteers were really nice guys. When I asked JIM HENSON to move “KERMIT THE FROG” to the right a little for a better frame, HENSON wouldn't answer - “KERMIT” would.”.

[MANKOFSKY]

And now for some fun-sized fun facts!:

A deleted subplot followed “STATLER” [RICHARD HUNT - AUGUST 17, 1951 – JANUARY 7, 1992] and “WALDORF” [HENSON], who turned up at various points in the movie to comment (and heckle) the main action.

“DR. TEETH” [HENSON] has a picture of “BIG BIRD” [CAROLL SPINNEY - DECEMBER 26, 1933 – DECEMBER 8, 2019] attached to the dashboard of his bus.

[Look real closely and you will see the picture right next to “DR. TEETH”.]

It took three “KERMITS” to do the opening “RAINBOW CONNECTION” scene. One of the “KERMITS” used in “THE RAINBOW CONNECTION” was a mechanical puppet; you can tell by the way it strums the banjo, and the colors of “KERMIT’S” "skin".

This movie was an allegory for HENSON’S rise to fame.

[“KERMIT” and the rest of “THE MUPPETS” also got their own stars on THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME as well!]

Before this, no movie had a hand puppet act with its entire body appearing on-screen. That is, hand puppets were only seen from the waist up, and it became a major plot point to show “KERMIT” with legs.

A dancing “KERMIT” and FOZZIE were operated by HENSON and OZ in front of a blue screen, and were composited onto a separate reel of the stage.

[Look at them dance!]

One of the two specially-painted 1951 STUDEBAKER COMMANDERS used in this movie resides in the STUDEBAKER NATIONAL MUSEUM in SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

[“FOZZIE” and his “natural habitat”: his STUDEBAKER.]

[THE STUDEBAKER NATIONAL MUSEUM]

When several celebrities who were scheduled to do cameos had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, and others were brought in, WRITER DAVID ODELL was hired to re-write the script and make each new cameo fit. His work on this movie led HENSON to offer ODELL the job of writing the screenplay for “THE DARK CRYSTAL” (1982).

[ODELL]

“DOC HOPPER” [CHARLES DURNING -FEBRUARY 28, 1923 – DECEMBER 24, 2012] is a parody of KENTUCKY COLONEL HARLAND DAVID SANDERS, the founder of the KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (now "KFC") restaurant chain, who was known for his attire of a white suit and bolo string tie.

[“DOC HOPPER” and “KERMIT”.]

[COLONEL SANDERS]

The song “NEVER BEFORE, NEVER AGAIN” was originally sung by JOHNNY MATHIS, but the producers did not think his rendition was as funny as OZ’S version.

[MATHIS]

[OZ - middle - and two of his “MUPPET” characters “FOZZIE” - left - and “MISS PIGGY” - right.]

For the scene where “KERMIT” has a desert revelation, FRAWLEY wanted to include a shooting star in the night sky. So the crew attached a CHRISTMAS LIGHT to a wire on the soundstage, and when they got the signal, they shot it across the set.

[I wonder if you can make a wish on this star? LOL!]

As the camera pans across the entrance to THE “WORLD WIDE STUDIOS” MOVIE STUDIO, “DOGLION” [GOELZ], the large, horned full-bodied “MUPPET” with long, gray hair, can be seen walking through the BACKLOT. He is the very first member of “THE MUPPETS” to be shown on the big screen.

[In case you are having a hard time seeing him there’s an arrow for ya!]

[And here’s a close-up of him from an episode of “THE MUPPET SHOW” in case you wanted a better look at him!]

This one might be rather obvious but WELLES only had one line of dialogue.

ACTOR AUSTIN PENDLETON, who played “MAX” in “THE MUPPET MOVIE”, noted that the DIRECTOR JIM FRAWLEY did not seem to be a “MUPPET” fan, saying, “That was a very unhappy set, because JIM [FRAWLEY] was very unhappy directing that movie. And I noticed that was the only time the “MUPPET” people used an outside person to direct a “MUPPET” movie. They never did that again. After that, it was either JIM HENSON or FRANK OZ. And I would have liked to have been in one of those, because those sets were very harmonious. But this was not.”

PENDLETON originally refused the role of “MAX” until FRAWLEY wrote more for the character to do, because he really wanted PENDLETON for the role.

[PENDLETON]

During LESLIE TOWNES “BOB” HOPE’S [MAY 29, 1903 - JULY 27, 2003] cameo as an ICE CREAM SALESMAN, HOPE’S “THEME SONG”, “THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES” is played in the background in the style of music that ICE CREAM TRUCKS play.

[HOPE and “FOZZIE”.]

HENSON wanted “DOC HOPPER” to be redeemed at the end, but OZ overruled him.

The film breaking sequence caused a lot of panic among PROJECTIONISTS who thought it was actually happening in their theaters. The distribution company started putting warning labels on the reels, but even then some PROJECTIONISTS were caught unaware.

The original script for “THE MUPPET MOVIE” calls for a cameo by HENRY KISSINGER [MAY 27, 1923 – NOVEMBER 29, 2023] which never came to fruition. The script even notes "Yes folks, the real HENRY KISSINGER. We know it's impossible, but we'll get him anyway." The elaborate cameo would have played on KISSINGER’S desire to appear in a movie, popping up in several bits (a SHERIFF, a BUSBOY etc.) and each time being told by “KERMIT” that there's no part for him. KISSINGER’S ambition is finally achieved when the “MUPPET” heads on MOUNT RUSHMORE agree to let him hang out with them (leading to a shot of KISSINGER’S face carved in the rock, expressing gratitude)

For those who have never heard of him before:

HENRY A. KISSINGER was the 56th SECRETARY OF STATE, a respected AMERICAN SCHOLAR and NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE who helped create THE POST-WORLD WAR 2 WORLD ORDER and led THE U.S. through some of its most complicated foreign policy challenges.

[KISSINGER]

[Now imagine this place but with KISSINGER’S smiling face next to them!]

Now let’s talk about the songs:

HENSON commissioned then-popular songwriter PAUL WILLIAMS, hot on the heals from his “ACADEMY AWARD” win for "EVERGREEN" from BARBARA STREISSAND’S “A STAR IS BORN” [1976], to write the songs/score for his 1977 tv movie “EMMETT OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS”. When that garnered the production team critical raves and 4 “EMMY NOMINATIONS”, WILLIAMS got what he calls “THE BIG KAHUNA”, he got the gig to write the songs/score for “THE MUPPET MOVIE”. WILLIAMS immediately sat down with CO-WRITER KENNY ASCHER and decided what would be “KERMIT THE FROG’S” “IAM SONG”. They decided that since “KERMIT” started out in a swamp, per HENSON’S instructions, the song had to involve sunlight, light refractions on water, sunlight through trees; and finally, rainbows. WILLIAMS said their inspiration was not “SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW” from “THE WIZARD OF OZ” [1939], surprisingly. He said it was “JIMINY CRICKET” taking off his hat in “WALT DISNEY’S PINNOCHIO” [1940] and singing “WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR”, which he said moved him tremendously as a child, since it was about faith and spirituality; and he said he wanted a similar peaon to faith and spirituality as orated by “KERMIT” for “THE MUPPET MOVIE”; and that's what “RAINBOW CONNECTION” turned into.

[WILLIAMS]

[ASCHER]

WILLIAMS also appears as a “PIANIST” in the “EL SLEEZO CAFE” scene.

WILLIAMS was thrilled to be providing the music and songs for the film. He was particularly impressed with how much trust HENSON placed on him. HENSON didn't even want to hear the songs as works in progress, telling WILLIAMS that he didn't need to hear them until the final recording session as he knew he was going to love them.

According to ODELL, shooting on the final number in the movie was delayed because WILLIAMS developed a case of WRITER’S BLOCK. HENSON asked ODELL to come up with some “DUMMY LYRICS” so they could block out the scene. When WILLIAMS heard somebody else was doing his job, he suddenly managed to finish the song quickly.

“MOVIN’ RIGHT ALONG”, “NEVER BEFORE, NEVER AGAIN” and “I HOPE THAT SOMETHIN’ BETTER COMES ALONG” were shortened in the movie, compared to their SOUNDTRACK versions, for continuity purposes. The latter, a duet between “ROWLF” and “KERMIT”, contained references that the studio considered too mature for children, although the song appeared complete in the BRITISH theatrical and home video debut versions. In “FINALE: THE MAGIC STORE”, a line performed by “KERMIT” in the movie is sung by “FOZZIE” on the SOUNDTRACK recording.

“THE MUPPET MOVIE” is included among THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE’S 2004 list of the top 100 songs called “AFI”S 100 YEARS, 100 SONGS: AMERICA’S GREATEST MUSIC IN THE MOVIES”. The song that was chosen is “RAINBOW CONNECTION”.

SINGER KAREN CARPENTER [MARCH 2, 1950 – FEBRUARY 4, 1983] recorded a version of “RAINBOW CONNECTION” but according to her brother and fellow SINGER, RICHARD, she didn't actually like the song very much.

[“THE CARPENTERS”]

well everyone, that’s all the info that I could find on “THE MUPPET MOVIE”. I will be back soon with more fascinating behind the scenes secrets. goodbye for now!