Muppets™, Music, & Magic:
Jim Henson’s Legacy
From November 8 through December 4, the Gene Siskel Film Center is pleased to present a major retrospective of the innovative film and puppetry work of the legendary Jim Henson (1936-1990), creator of the loveable Muppets and a host of other extraordinary characters that have for decades served as childhood icons and grown-up delights. Marvel at the scope and appeal of Henson’s work for its groundbreaking artistry, introduce a program or two to your favorite moppet, or simply indulge your nostalgia for those happy Muppet Show days.
Organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the retrospective presents a treasure trove of Henson’s extraordinarily imaginative work, including TV pilots, shorts, commercials, promotional films, feature films, and rarities galore. To further explore the magic of Henson’s world of fantasy, Emmy Award-nominated collaborator David Rudman is our special guest on the opening weekend of the series, hosting programs “Muppet History 101” on November 8 and “Commercials and Experiments” on November 9. Actor/writer/director Rudman’s career has encompassed playing the Cookie Monster and Baby Bear, puppetry work for TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, and performances on Saturday Night Live
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. ©2008 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.
—Barbara Scharres
Children under 16 admitted 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 Friday, November 28), 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.
WTTW11 members pay 2-for-1 admission to any Tuesday screening in the series. Please be sure to mention code ‘WTTW’ at the Gene Siskel Film Center when buying tickets, which must be purchased in person at the Film Center Box Office. For more details, visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org.
David Rudman in person!
Muppet History 101
1969-91, Various directors, USA, 90 min.
Learn your Muppet history! This is material you won’t see anywhere else: early TV appearances, commercials, guest spots on the Dick Cavett Show, and more. This program includes the rarely-seen pilot for The Muppet Show: “The Muppets: Sex and Violence.” Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Emmy Award-nominated producer and puppeteer David Rudman, performer of Sesame Street Muppet roles including Baby Bear and Cookie Monster, will host the program, providing an inimitable inside view of the Muppet world.
Bring your Muppets memorabilia! David will be available for signing at a table in our gallery/cafe following the show, with Sesame Street Muppets Cookie Monster and Baby Bear in person.
Saturday, November 8, 7:30
David Rudman in person!
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
Emmy Award-nominated producer and puppeteer David Rudman, performer of Sesame Street Muppet roles including Baby Bear and Cookie Monster, will host the program.
Bring your Muppets memorabilia! David will be available for signing at a table in our gallery/cafe following the show, with Sesame Street Muppets Cookie Monster and Baby Bear in person.
Sunday, November 9, 2:00
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
Sunday, November 9, 4:30 pm
Tuesday, November 11, 6:00
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
Sunday, November 16, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, November 18, 7:45
A Better World: Living in Harmony
1983-89, Jim Henson, USA, 90 min.
An episode of the rarely seen TV series Fraggle Rock (1983) contrasts three communities—the musical Fraggles, the industrious Doozers, and the giant Gorgs, who all co-exist in a carefully balanced underground world in proximity to those mysterious creatures who live above ground, the humans. Despite their differences, the groups are interdependent, demonstrating the ideal of world peace and harmony.
Followed by THE SONG OF THE CLOUD FOREST (1989). This beautiful evocation of the rainforest, with stunning color graphics, focuses on the story of a golden toad who must avoid the “uprights” (humans) trying to capture him. 35mm. Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Sunday, November 16, 4:00
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
Sunday, November 23, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, November 25, 8:15
The Art of Puppetry and Storytelling
1979-89, Various directors, USA, 120 min.
Go behind the scenes to witness the magic of the Muppets in this compilation of rare footage featuring a host of Henson creations, and a timeless episode of The Muppet Show (1979) directed by Philip Casson. A special highlight of the program is Harry Belafonte’s rendition of an African song with puppets derived from traditional masks.
Henson’s The Storyteller: The Heartless Giant (1989) features an entirely different form of puppetry. In this episode of the remarkable TV series based on classic folk tales, young prince Leo learns about friendship and betrayal after being tricked by an evil giant who is literally heartless. Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Sunday, November 23, 4:00
Muppet Fairytales: THE FROG PRINCE & Others
1971-1994, Various directors, USA, 105 min.
What happens when you kiss a frog? There’s no better answer to that question than Jim Henson’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale THE FROG PRINCE (1971), starring Kermit and his friends. David Grossman’s THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER (1994) provides a contemporary spin on the old story when elves are actually Elvises. Additional shorts on this enchanting program interpret Rapunzel and other tales through the eyes of Muppets. Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Friday, November 28, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, December 2, 6:00
Dog City & The Storyteller: The Soldier and Death
1987-1989, Jim Henson, USA, 90 min.
Dog City (1989) features a fully realized puppet universe—an entire 1940s film noir city populated by wise-cracking dogs (all incredibly detailed puppets). Followed by The Storyteller: The Soldier and Death (1987). One of the finest episodes produced for the landmark TV series, The Soldier and Death recounts the tale of a soldier being given three magic objects which he uses to outwit otherworldly creatures. Beta SP video.—description courtesy of The Jim Henson Legacy
Friday, November 28, 4:00
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
Sunday, November 30, 2:00 pm
Wednesday, December 3, 8:15
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