The Muppet Movie
The Muppets are one of the great treasures of pop culture. Don’t try to question it. Created by Jim Henson, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Animal, and the rest are icons in their own right, and sources of so many wonderful memories for my generation. Most of those come from the variety show that ran during the late ’70s and early ’80s, but the movies, especially the first three during that time frame, hold fond places in people’s hearts.
That was never more true than it was with 1979’s “The Muppet Movie,” which brought Henson’s creations to life for the first time. Right away, the movie establishes a sly reality, and shows us how the Muppets came together as a variety troupe. This is, in essence, their origin story. And it’s a wild one that was referenced, and played into, superbly in 2011’s return to the big screen. Basically, this film, the show, and the 2011 film are “real life,” and any other movies are just that…movies. Kind of kookie, right? That’s how it is with the Muppets. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s hard to really talk about this movie without really just going all geek on it. The film starts proper in the swamp, with Kermit alone, with his banjo, singing the beloved classic, “The Rainbow Connection.” On this day, a talent scout (Dom DeLuise) is rowing along, and convinces Kermit to go to Hollywood to become famous. Along the way, he comes across the rest of the gang, starting with Fozzie and continuing with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem; Gonzo and his chicken love, Camilla; and Miss Piggy, and all of them play pivotal roles in not only getting Kermit to Hollywood, but also keeping him from becoming a meal at the hands of Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), who wants Kermit to sell frog legs for him. What a dastardly plot.
With their first outing, Henson, his fellow puppeteers (including comedy ace Frank Oz), writers Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns, and director James Frawley establish the formula for The Muppets on the big screen: the characters aren’t puppets, but living, breathing individuals; a combination of goofy puns and slapstick, mixed with anarchic surrealism; celebrity cameos; and most importantly, old school songwriting and musical interludes courtesy Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher this time out. They tried many other times to duplicate the perfection within this initial success, but the original crew didn’t quite do so, especially after Henson died in 1991. And make no mistake, this film is quite perfect, in it’s own way. Of course, it starts with how wonderfully defined the personalities of the Muppets are, but the cameos are a big part of that, with Steve Martin as a smart-ass waiter; Mel Brooks as a mad scientist; Madeline Khan as a woman with her jealous boyfriend at El Sleazo; Richard Pryor as a balloon guy; and Orson Welles as the man in Hollywood who gives Kermit and co. their shot.
What brings it home, though, is not only the sincerity of the story, even as it pokes fun in the old show business movie cliches, and the music. Old fashioned? Yes, but also timeless. Can you imagine a world without such a hopeful ballad as “The Rainbow Connection?” Or a driving song as upbeat as “Moving Right Along?” Or a bar piano song like “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along?” The Muppets have brought so much joy and happiness and creative energy to the screen, both big and small, that I shudder to think of a life without them. Hopefully, that won’t happen again. This is a great place to start.
