Tag: Kermit The Frog

My Thoughts on “Jim Henson: Idea Man”

My Thoughts on “Jim Henson: Idea Man”

by MichelleMcHatton

The newly released Disney+ documentary, “Jim Henson: Idea Man”, directed by Ron Howard, is a well put together dive into the behind the scenes of Henson’s life. But for someone who grew up with The Muppets and especially for someone who lives with a self-professed Henson/Muppets/Fraggles connoisseur (my daughter), many of the clips they incorporated into the documentary have been seen before. Many times.

Some of the stuff was new, to me, anyway, such as the interview with Orson Welles, and it was nice to see interviews of Jim and his late wife Jane from years ago. It was essential for Howard to include interviews with as many people that Jim worked with as possible (and he did) because many of them (Frank Oz especially), were there from nearly day one. Working interviews in with Rita Moreno (the first guest star on “The Muppet Show”) and Jennifer Connelly from “Labyrinth” was a nice touch as was showing clips from “Sesame Street”.

But I feel the most important part of this documentary were the interviews with Henson’s children. Many Muppets fans are grateful for their continued contributions to what their father created and left behind. They could have all chosen other fields but instead decided to walk in their father’s footsteps to continue providing Henson entertainment for future generations to enjoy.

Christmas Movie 8: “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

Christmas Movie 8: “The Muppet Christmas Carol”

by MichelleMcHatton

You know it’s always going to be a good time when you have humans and Muppets acting together. And a good time is what you get in this 1992 version of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”. This is the third version mentioned here on the Christmas movie rundown on this blog and in my opinion, the best version. And, of course, the only version involving Muppets.

This film would be Brian Henson’s directorial debut, released two years following his father’s death and eleven months following the death of Muppet performer Richard Hunt. The film is dedicated, rightfully so, to both of them.

The film opens up the same way any movie about Scrooge begins: with a blue, furry whatever (Gonzo–voiced by Dave Goelz) and a rat (Rizzo-voiced by Steve Whitmire) depicting Charles Dickens (Gonzo) and sidekick (other than Rizzo being a rat, he doesn’t actually seem to have a name in this flick other than co-narrator. But he does make us aware that he is there for the food).

The Jim Henson Company somehow managed to wrangle Sir Michael Caine into playing Ebenezer Scrooge for this film. Then again, what classic actor wouldn’t want to perform with The Muppets? Many have.

Of course you know the tale by now of how Scrooge is visited by three ghosts (not including Marley & Marley (Waldorf & Statler– Dave Goelz and Jerry Nelson). And how he has a clerk named Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog–Whitmire) and assistant “meeces” (really just a slew of rats trying to stay warm) that Scrooge treats like dirt. Cratchit has a family including Emily (Miss Piggy–Frank Oz), daughters Belinda and Betina (Whitmire and Goelz), and sons Peter and Tiny Tim (David Rudman and Jerry Nelson).

Along the way the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and all the Muppets sing us through meeting Fozziwig (Fozzie Bear-Frank Oz), naturally the Cratchits and Mrs. Dilber (voiced by Louise Gold)

This film is a great family film and one that should be seen every year. There are so many humorous and memorable moments and Gonzo and Rizzo are the perfect hosts.