Some kids have a sports team, a movie or a television show that they’re obsessed with. For me, it was, and still is, the Muppets. I have Kermit’s advice book. My twitter background is Wembley from “Fraggle Rock.” I did my sixth grade biography research project on Jim Henson. I ordered Big Bird Goes to Japan on DVD from Amazon. There were no limits to this obsession. But even if I wasn’t a huge Muppets freak, I would love Henson’s Place: The Man Behind the Muppets. This is one of the best biographical documentaries I have ever seen.
Let me begin with a warning: this film was made in 1984. While the special features were added at a later date, the audio and picture quality definitely make it clear that the footage is still in the original (that is to say, pretty grainy and definitely less clear as far as sound goes) condition. This is by no means a high definition film.
However, that is possibly the only flaw this film has. At 50 minutes long, it is a great length, and a lot of material is squeezed into that short time. Viewers will learn all about how Henson began his puppeteering career and see footage from some of his early works, including Sam and Friends, Henson’s first show, and his advertising work. Additionally, the creation of The Muppet Show is extensively covered and followed by details of Henson’s movie success.
As a longtime fan, I found there were several things mentioned in this documentary that I didn’t already know. For example, The Muppet Show was turned down by all the major networks in the United States, and so was instead filmed and broadcast in England, which meant Henson had to have residences in London, New York, and eventually Los Angeles when he began his movie career. Other fascinating facts include how the Doozers in Fraggle Rock work and what Frank Oz thinks Animal’s motivation is.
But the most exciting part is not the interview material or any of the dialogue at all. Rather, there are a few scenes in which Jim is filmed inside the puppet laboratory, or whatever they call the room where the Muppets are designed and created. The audience gets a look at how the puppets are built and the detail required to make a minute movement such as an eyebrow twitch or a facial expression. Even the eyeballs can move individually.
While this film covers a long span of time, I wish coverage of the recent Muppet history had been added. A lot of changes have been made in the last 25 years, especially since Jim’s death, and it would have been interesting to see how it all played out. But alas, it was not meant to be. The bottom line is: if you like the Muppets, this documentary was made for you. If you just want to look at a man speaking in Kermit the Frog’s voice, this is your film. And if you watch the DVD and want to go to Muppet Stuff, the Muppet store on Lexington, it’s been closed since the 90s. Sorry!
DVD Bonus Features
There is a featurette entitled “The Amphibian 1985/86: The Jim Henson Company Yearbook with Introduction by Michael Frith.” This is exactly what it sounds like, and the introduction is rather interesting, as Frith explains that the company was split between London and New York, Jim thought the group might want a yearbook so they could see who was who and all that. I would definitely take a look.
"Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets" is on sale August 3, 2010 and is not rated. Documentary. Written and directed by Tim Conrad. Starring Caroll Spinney, Frank Oz, Gabriel Velez, Jane Henson, Jim Henson.
