Muppets™, Music, & Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy
Back by Popular Demand!
The response to the Gene Siskel Film Center’s presentation last fall of the series Muppets™, Music, & Magic: Jim Henson’s Legacy was so overwhelming that we are reprising a major portion of the retrospective from November 7 through December 2. The legendary Jim Henson (1936-1990), creator of the Muppets and other extraordinary characters, had an inimitable approach to film and the art of puppetry that attracted fans of every age. Scores of grown-ups continue to hold a warm place in their hearts for the loveable Muppets.
Treasures from the Henson archives are at the heart of this series organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and we’ve added some new programs. We open the series on Saturday, November 7, with the one-time-only show of Muppets History 201: More Rarities from the Henson Vault, a sequel to last year’s wildly popular Muppets History 101. This program will be hosted by Craig Shemin, vice president and trustee of the Jim Henson Legacy and the go-to man for all the historic and fascinating facts concerning Henson’s imaginative body of work. Shemin is an award-winning writer, producer, and editor. He has served as writer for a host of Muppet characters, and he even helped that best-selling author Miss Piggy with her 1996 cookbook.
Other archival programs include Muppets Music Moments, Commercials & Experiments, and EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS & Shorts. We celebrate the 30th anniversary of THE MUPPET MOVIE with screenings on November 22 and 25. Other Henson features playing on selected dates include THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN, LABYRINTH, THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, and THE DARK CRYSTAL.
This series is produced by The Jim Henson Legacy and Brooklyn Academy of Music, Tour Executive Producer Irena Kovarova. MUPPET, MUPPETS, and the Muppet Characters are registered trademarks of The Muppets Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. ©The Muppets Studio LLC. JIM HENSON’s mark and logo, characters, and elements are trademarks of The Jim Henson Company. All rights reserved.
©Photography courtesy of The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop. Sesame Street® and associated characters, trademarks and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. ©2009 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.
—Barbara Scharres
Children under 16 admitted to any Henson film for $5 when accompanied by adult.
Sunday double-bill discount!
Buy a ticket for the 2:00 Jim Henson film on any Sunday in November and get a ticket for the second Henson film that day at this discount rate (tickets must be purchased at the same time): General Admission $7; Students $5; Children (under 16) and Members $4.
Craig Shemin in person!
Muppets History 201: More Rarities from the Henson Vault
Various dates, Various directors, USA, 90 min.
Jim Henson brought the Muppets to countless television variety and talk shows for several decades. Many of these appearances were live and have been lost forever, but The Jim Henson Legacy has been working to find the shows that still exist. This screening is a presentation of recently unearthed clips of Muppet television appearances and other special surprises ranging from the 1950s to the 1980s. Beta SP video—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Award-winning writer/producer/editor Craig Shemin, vice president and trustee of The Henson Legacy and writer for a host of loveable Muppet characters, will host the program.
- November 7th—8:00pm
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN
1984, Frank Oz, USA, 94 min.
When the Muppets’ college show is a big hit, they decide to take it to Broadway, having adventures that could happen only in the Big Apple. Cameos include Gregory Hines and Liza Minnelli, and even New York’s Mayor Koch shows up! The movie ends with a wedding between Kermit and his porcine love, which is part of the show within a show—or could it be for real? 35mm—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Award-winning writer/producer/editor Craig Shemin, vice president and trustee of The Henson Legacy and writer for a host of loveable Muppet characters, will introduce the film on Sunday, November 9.
- November 8th—2:00pm
- November 9th—6:00pm
Muppets Music Moments
Various dates, Various directors, USA, 75 min.
Music was always an integral part of The Muppet Show, and we have assembled a collection of some of the classic musical numbers interpreted as only the Muppets can. This compilation features a wide range of musical genres including performances by guest stars Harry Belafonte, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and many more. DV-CAM video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Award-winning writer/producer/editor Craig Shemin, vice president and trustee of The Henson Legacy and writer for a host of loveable Muppet characters, will introduce the program.
- November 8th—4:00pm
EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS & Shorts
1977, Jim Henson, USA, 75 min.
Get into the Christmas spirit with this heart-warming story of Ma Otter and her son, who secretly enter a talent contest to win money for each other’s Christmas presents. Their challengers turn out to be The Nightmare, the Riverbottom Gang’s rowdy hard-rock band. The lovable river animals are portrayed realistically in contrast to the typical Muppet style of puppetry. We screen Henson’s original version of EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS, featuring Kermit (not available on DVD)! The program includes a delightful selection of highlights from other Christmas specials. Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
- November 15th—4:00pm
LABYRINTH
1986, Jim Henson, USA, 101 min.
With Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie
“Filled with typical Henson magic.”
—Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine
In this modern-day "Alice in Wonderland," Connelly plays a young girl who must travel through the Labyrinth to save her baby brother from the Goblin King (a wonderfully cast David Bowie). Full of Henson Creature Shop’s imaginative design, the film’s eye-popping sets evoke a whole world existing just behind the façade of reality. 35mm.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
- November 15th—2:00pm
- November 16th—6:00pm
THE MUPPET MOVIE
1979, James Frawley, USA, 97 min.
In their first foray onto the silver screen, Kermit the Frog and his Muppet cohorts Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and Miss Piggy and the gang sing their way to Hollywood, hoping to make it big. But Charles Durning’s evil Doc Hopper, a frog-leg restaurant magnate, has other plans for Kermit. Tremendously funny—as much for adults as for kids, and maybe more so—with memorable musical numbers like “Rainbow Connection” and “Moving Right Along,” plus cameos galore, including Steve Martin, Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Richard Pryor, Orson Welles, and Bob Hope. 35mm.—description courtesy of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
- November 22nd—2:00pm
- November 25th—6:00pm
Commercials & Experiments
Various dates, Jim Henson, USA, 90 min.
This program encompasses a mind-blowing collection of shorts, crazy commercials, and other rarities from the Henson vault. Highlights include: an industrial film for Wilson’s Meat that must be seen to be believed; excerpts from experimental TV programs "The Cube" and "Youth 68"; and “Time Piece,” an 8-minute masterpiece that showcases Henson’s talent for making music out of everyday sounds. Beta SP video and 35mm.— description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
- November 22nd—4:00pm
THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER
1981, Jim Henson, USA, 95 min.
Intrepid reporters Kermit, Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo go to London to interview fashion designer Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg), whose jewels have been stolen. When the jewel thieves strike again and Holiday’s secretary Miss Piggy is accused of the crime, it’s Kermit and friends to the rescue. Memorable eccentrics like John Cleese and Peter Falk join in the fun, but the scenes with Miss Piggy on a motorcycle steal the show. 35mm.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
- November 27th—3:00pm
- November 29th—4:00pm
THE DARK CRYSTAL
1982, Jim Henson and Frank Oz, USA, 93 min.
“A dazzling technological and artistic achievement.”—Variety
Mixing elements of Tolkien and fairy tales, Henson and Oz create a fantastic world ruled by the hulking dragon-like Skeksis, who must be defeated by an elf-like orphan. Using a mix of puppetry, marionettes, and more, THE DARK CRYSTAL, rooted in universal myth, creates a stunning world on a scale rarely achieved in fantasy films. 35mm.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
- November 29th—2:00pm
- December 2nd—6:00pm