The Muppet Movie [The Nearly 35th Anniversary Edition]

Director: James Frawley, James Frawle James Frawley

Overview

Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson, have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood, riding in or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit, but friends accumulate along the way, and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper (Charles Durning), who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy, and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films, and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats, from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles, in cameo roles. A great box-office success, this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs, The Rainbow Connection, was nominated for an Oscar.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/13/2013
UPC:	0786936830835
Original Release:	1979
Rating:	G
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:35:00
Sales rank:	10,448

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Austin Pendleton	Max
Dom DeLuise	Bernie - the Hollywood Agent
Steve Martin	Insolent Waiter
Mel Brooks	Prof. Max Krassman
Edgar Bergen	Himself
Bob Hope	Ice Cream Man
Orson Welles	Lew Lord
Richard Pryor	Balloon Man
Madeline Kahn	El Sleezo Patron
Carol Kane	Myth
Milton Berle	Mad Man Mooney
Elliott Gould	Beauty Contest Compete
Charles Durning	Doc Hopper
Scott Walker	Frog Killer
Jim Henson	Kermit the Frog/Rowlf/Dr. Teeth/Waldorf
Frank Oz	Miss Piggy/Fozzie Bear/Animal/Sam the Eagle
Jerry Nelson	Floyd Pepper/Crazy Harry/Robin the Frog/Lew Zealan
Richard Hunt	Scooter/Statler/Janice/Sweetums/Beaker,Muppet Performer
Dave Goelz	The Great Gonzo/Zoot/Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
James Coburn	El Sleezo Cafe Owner
Cloris Leachman	Lord's Secretary
Telly Savalas	El Sleezo Tough
Paul Williams	El Sleezo Pianist,Composer
Caroll Spinney	Big Bird
Steve Whitmire	Muppet Performers
Kathryn Mullen	Camilla
Bob Payne	Muppet Performer
Eren Ozker	Muppet Performer
Carolyn Wilcox	Muppet Performer
Olga Felgemacher	Muppet Performer
Bruce Schwartz	Muppet Performer
Buz Suraci	Muppet Performer
Tony Basilicato	Muppet Performer
Michael Davis	Muppet Performers
Lawrence Gabriel	Sailor
Ira Grubman	Bartender
Bobby Payne	Muppet Performers
H.B. Haggerty	Lumberjack
James Frawley	Waiter
Bruce Kirby	Gate Guard

Technical Credits

Jack Burns

Jerry Juhl

James Frawley	Director
Jack Burns	Screenwriter
Jerry Juhl	Screenwriter
Jim Henson	Producer
Martin Starger	Executive Producer
Robbie Knott	Special Effects
Charles Lewis	Sound/Sound Designer
James Frawle	Director

Editorial Reviews

When The Muppet Movie was released in 1979, there was some doubt that Jim Henson's beloved puppets could successfully cross over from TV to feature films. The fears were assuaged as children and their parents lined up to see the off-the-wall Muppet humor and energy on the big screen. The film was such a hit that TV's The Muppet Show quickly went off the air and a sequel, The Great Muppet Caper, was released in 1981. Similar to the series, which featured a different celebrity every week, the movie parades a series of big-name cameos: Orson Welles, Richard Pryor, Bob Hope, and James Coburn, to name a few. Also like the TV show, the Muppets crew proves itself adept at staging -- and simultaneously parodying -- musical numbers. Henson voiced and operated five of the characters, but journeyman director James Frawley helmed the film. The Muppet Movie would be nominated for Academy Awards for best score and best song (the memorable "Rainbow Connection").