THE MUPPET MOVIE
UK, 1979, 97 minutes, Colour.
Voices: Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog, Rolf the Dog, Dr Teeth, Waldorf, Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear. Animal, Sam the Eagle), Jerry Nelson (Floyd Pepper, Crazy Harry, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand), Richard Hunt (Scooter, Statler, Janice, Sweetums, Beaker), Dave Goelz (The Great Gonzo, Zoot, Dr Bunsen Honeydew), Carroll Spinney (Big Bird). Guest stars: Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Scott Walker, Edgar Bergen, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, James Coburn, Dom DeLuise?, Elliott Gould, Bob Hope, Madeline Kahn, Carol Kane, Cloris Leachman, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, Orson Welles, Paul Williams.
Directed by James Frawley.
The Muppet Movie is entertaining, of course. A pity we are so used to seeing the Muppets in their theatre, it takes an effort to adjust to them out in the world (even if it is that of the Hollywood or Bust dream screenplay). Kermit is as sympathetic as ever. Miss Piggy makes a big impact and provides the humour. Fozzie, Gonzo, Rolf are there. The guest stars are generally glimpsed saying one line. The story of the Muppets' origins is the old Hollywood dream (complicated by Charles Durning as Doc Hopper with his Fried Frogs' Legs cafes and villainy). Not always as sparkling as on television, but entertaining and despite Sam the Eagle, no socially redeeming values.
1. The appeal of the Muppets: characters, their world, entertainment, parody of humans? Their TV series and style? Expectations for the film? The change of expectations for a feature film?
2. How well do the Muppets transfer from the TV screen and the home viewing? Out of their own theatre? Having a narrative? Being on the road? The fantasy and reality? How well do audiences suspend their disbelief?
3. Panavision photography, the Hollywood studios, the travelling across the American continent? The world of American fast foods? The skill in presenting the complete Muppets, dancing, bicycling, driving etc?
4. The contribution of the score, the songs and their reprises e.g. 'Moving Right Along', Miss Piggy's song, 'Never Before', Rolf’s song about women? The songs exhibiting the characters e.g. Kermit's opening song?
5. The contribution of the guest stars, the brief glimpses of them, their one-liners and presence? Those who had more e.g. Steve Martin as the waiter, Mel Brooks as the mad doctor? The contribution of Doc Hopper and Max and their pursuit of the Muppets? Their henchmen?
6. The device of the Muppets arriving for the first screening of their film? The introduction to all the characters, the similarities to the TV e.g. Waldorf and Statler arriving and making cracks? The expectations of the film? The chatter, Kermit's introduction and Miss Piggy's insult? The humour of the chef showing the film and burning it? The end and the reactions, the photos and the interview and the chatter? The pleasure of seeing all the characters? Sam the Eagle and his moral comments?
7. The use of the Hollywood or Bust plot? Its cliche background and the way it was used? Humour, adapted to the Muppets, the difficulties of getting to Hollywood, the ease of their contract? To what age group was the film directed ? family audiences, children and their familiarity with the basic hackneyed plot and its conventions?
8. The appeal of Kermit as personality, as a frog, as leader? The introduction in the theatre, his singing in the swamp, the discussion with the agent and the jokes about the agent, his decision to go to Hollywood for the audition, riding his bike.
9. The satire on Doc Hopper and Max and the overtones of Kentucky Fried, Colonel Sanders and the fast food rackets? Advertising? Doc Hopper's offers, threats, his television advertisement, the billboard and the pie thrown, the pursuit in the cars, the kidnapping and the torture by the mad scientist, the hiring of the killers, the High Noon showdown? The exaggerated character of Doc Hopper? Max as the assistant and his finally warming to and warning the Muppets?
10. El Sleazo and James Coburn as the owner, Madeline Kahn and her being at the bar, Telly Savalas as her boyfriend, Paul Williams and his playing the piano, Carol Kane and her turning up as Miss or myth? Fozzie Bear and his performance in the bar, jokes, abuse, dancing with Kermit? The taking of his uncle's car and the driving along the American roads? The patriotic interlude and the praise of America? The humour of the sale of the car and Milton Berle's performance?
11. The arrival at the church, meeting Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, their discussing the screenplay, singing and the music, the painting of the car? Animal and the other members of the group? Their later arrival and rescuing the Muppets and taking them to Hollywood? The skill of the music, the humour of the characters?
12. The crash with the Great Gonzo? His joining the group with the hen? The carnival atmosphere, Bob Hope and the ice cream, Richard Pryor and the balloons? Elliott Gould and Miss Piggy and her crowning?
13. The introduction to Miss Piggy. her vanity, her song and the humorous parody of romantic interludes and commercials? Her eagerness to get in the car and go with the group to Hollywood, the dinner sequence and Steve Martin's humour as the insolent waiter. her abandoning Kermit, Rolf and his song and the consoling of Kermit, the humour of the kidnap, Mel Brooks as the mad scientist? Miss Piggy and her agent and disappearance? Her reappearance hitchhiking?
14. The appeal of Miss Piggy, her false glamour, her vanity, her preening herself, her realistic accent and bashing people? Her love for Kermit and use of him?
15. The build-up to the showdown in the western town, Doc Hopper's group? The humour of Bunsen and Beaker and their experiment and Animal's saving the day? The humour of the resolution of the problems?
16. The build-up to Hollywood, Lew Lord's secretary and her allergies, Lew Lord (and Orson Welles and Cloris Leachman's comedy styles), the rich and famous contract?
17. The Muppets' success, the desire to make audiences happy, their skill in representing various human types and parodying types? Their delight for audiences? The contribution of the group under Jim Henson's leadership for the variety of voices, personalities and styles? The dedication of the film to Edgar Bergen and his appearance with Charlie McCarthy? The delight of puppets in entertaining people?
