Jim Henson: Remembering the Master Puppeteer
You would be hard-pressed, in today’s society, to have grown up without being exposed to the works of Jim Henson. “The Muppets,” Sesame Street, and many more beloved puppet characters (Yoda, anyone?) that have appeared onscreen, whether big or small, are a result of his genius and imaginative influence. Henson’s creative vision and work in the film and television industry has delighted, awed, and, in some cases, even terrified audiences for years, which is why we decided to celebrate his birthday with a look back at some of our favorite Henson-themed creations.
As an actor, animator, screenwriter, inventor, filmmaker, and puppeteer, Henson’s work has proliferated into many different aspects of our culture. His legacy still lives on in the work being created through the Jim Henson Foundation, The Jim Henson Company, and Jim Henson’s Creature shop. Most of our selections feature works that Henson was directly involved with, however, we did decide to include some favorite works that were released after his death, but still exhibit stylistic qualities, and characters, that he had a hand in developing. We hope our selections will inspire you to revisit (or perhaps watch for the first time) these wonderful creations.
Sesame Street (PBS, 1969-present)
If you were a child within the past fifty years, you probably owe a lot to this educational children’s series. With tons of lovable and timeless characters like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and (my personal favorite) Grover, Sesame Street has taught children the basics of numbers and letters, as well as emotional understanding, manners, and diversity. It’s incredible to think that in November this show will be fifty years old! Filled with plenty of wonderful songs, sketches, and wonderfully fun and adorable characters, the series is still going strong to this day. I don’t see it going away anytime soon. I like to think of this show as a piece of Henson that will last forever. -Bailey 💡🧸
The Dark Crystal (1982, dir. Jim Henson and Frank Oz)
Where does one begin in describing The Dark Crystal? This is the type of film that you either love or hate, there is really no inbetween. Most people who hate the film find the animatronic puppets and imagery from the film to be ‘creepy,’ which at times it most certainly is, but that is also why other people, like me, love The Dark Crystal. Based on concept art by Brian Froud, and featuring groundbreaking animatronics that Henson used to take puppeteering to a whole new level, The Dark Crystal is a classic tale of good and evil, but also a bit of an environmental fable, a story about how separating the good and the bad had destructive consequences and threw off the planet’s balance. Gaining a cult following over the years following its release, many fans are rejoicing at the release of a new prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, which became available this past summer on Netflix (2019). I feel like I need to rewatch The Dark Crystal, before getting back into the world of Thra, and sitting down to watch the new streaming series. - Sarah 💜
Labyrinth (1986, dir. Jim Henson)
I. Love. This. Film. Labyrinth is one of my all-time favorite movies! I was first captivated by this film as a young child, I loved that the main character was named Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), I loved the puppets, I loved the music, and I especially loved the goblin king, aka Jareth (David Bowie). The visual styling of the film, which re-paired Brian Froud with Frank Oz and Jim Henson, the simple storyline - Sarah must save her baby brother Toby (played by Brian Froud’s son Toby Froud) in thirteen hours or Jareth will turn him into a goblin - the detailed and lovable puppets (the Worm, Sir Didymus, and Ambrosius), and the charisma and musical influence of David Bowie, make this film a rare gem among ‘children’s cinema.’ I, however, have grown to appreciate this film from many different perspectives, and would no longer consider Labyrinth to merely be just another family-friendly flick. The film is really a coming-of-age piece, as the narrative and dialogue can be read as an allegory that explores issues of identity, gender, sexuality, and feminism. Every time I watch Labyrinth, I take away different meanings, which makes me love this film even more. - Sarah 👕🔮🦉
The Witches (1990, dir. Nicolas Roeg)
Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, The Witches tells the story of a young boy, Luke (Jasen Fisher), whose grandmother (Mai Zetterling) teaches him about the society of witches who secretly live among humans, but hunt and kill children. When Luke happens upon a meeting of the witch society, the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston) turns him and his friend Bruce (Charlie Potter) into mice, plotting to do the same thing to all of the children in England. It is up to Luke and Bruce (in mouse form) and Luke’s grandmother to stop the witches before their plan comes to fruition. This was the last film that Jim Henson was involved with before his death. What I enjoy most about the design and puppetry for the film is that, unlike many of the Muppet characters that we know and love, the mouse puppets used in the film had to look as realistic as possible, and match their living mouse ‘stunt doubles.’ At the same time, the mouse puppets are full of personality, and utterly adorable. This movie has stuck with me for so long because it scared me to death as a kid. Most of the fear came from the gruesome prosthetics on Huston as the Grand High Witch, but it was just as terrifying when the same character transforms into mouse form. The puppetry and tight close-ups on the horrific mouse face are the stuff of nightmares. This film is a great family movie for the Halloween season. - Bailey 🐭
Muppet*Vision3D (1991, dir. Jim Henson)
This film, and Walt Disney World attraction, sometimes known as “Muppet*Vision4D” due to the interactive qualities of the ‘live’ animatronic puppets and special effects, was the last Muppet project that Henson worked on before his death. The movie has been running steadily in Walt Disney World in Disney’s Hollywood Studio theme park (although when I visited the park it was called MGM Studios) since its first release in 1991. The movie had a brief stint in Disney’s California Adventure theme park from 2001 until the show was replaced with a different attraction in 2014. From the moment you enter the line attraction, you are thrust into a delightful ‘pre-show’ Muppet world, including favorite characters Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his nervous assistant Beaker, complete with delightful movie spoof posters hanging on the walls, which really set the mood for what is about to ensue. Audience members are reminded to grab a pair of “3D Glasses” on their way into the main ‘theater’ area. Statler and Waldorf heckle the audience, the penguin orchestra gets ready, and the show begins. The movie is basically a bunch of strung together sketches, in true Muppet fashion, but with 3-dimensional elements, like actual bubbles being blown at the audience. I remember seeing this movie on my one trip to Disney World when I was younger, and remember loving the entire experience. There was something so magical about the mix of film, animatronics, and inter-active audience elements, which makes this show an experience not to miss. - Sarah 😁💣💥
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992, dir. Brian Henson)
Although this was the first film made by the Jim Henson Company after Henson’s death, I believe that his son, Brian, did some great work when he took over as president of the company. This is one of my favorite adaptations of the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. All of your favorite Muppets, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear, along with Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, come together to tell the story of how Scrooge was haunted by the three ghosts of Christmas. Not only is this a fun and entertaining film for young children who are new to this story, but there are also a ton of inside and fourth-wall-breaking jokes to entertain those who are more familiar with the novel, and its many retellings. I especially love the way Gonzo and Rizzo are used as omniscient narrators. And, come on, is ‘Jacob and Robert Marley’ not one of the funniest jokes you’ve ever heard? -Bailey 👻🎄
What are your favorite Jim Henson-themed creations, movies, and/or TV shows? Who is your favorite Muppet? What do you think about Henson’s darker films? Share your thoughts and memories in the comments below!
Copyright © 2019 Sarah Crane & Bailey Lizotte
