It all started 40 years ago with a frog named Kermit sitting in a swamp singing about the rainbow connection. Created by Jim Henson and based on the popularity of its small screen predecessor, The Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie features an incredible cast of Muppet Characters: Miss Piggy, Ralph the dog, Gonzo and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
On July 25, audiences packed in to theaters 40 years after the movie’s original release to watch Kermit the Frog and Fozzy the Bear’s fantastic song-filled adventure to Hollywood. Along the way, Kermit’s life is threatened by the evil Doc Hopper, owner of Doc Hopper’s French Fried Frog Legs, who will do anything to have Kermit as their spokesperson. Dodging Doc Hopper, the duo goes on a memorable adventure picking up several other Muppets along the way.
Often controlling and voicing several puppets, Jim Henson (Kermit), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear), Dave Goelz (Gonzo) and the rest of the team bring Jim Henson’s beautiful, wacky and weird Muppet filled world to life. The movie not only marked the Muppet’s debut onto the big screen but became the first time they were shown head to toe as well.
The Muppets had a chance to interact with humans as well including Dom Deluise (Show Biz Manager), Charles Durning (Doc Hopper) and featured guest stars such as Steve Martin, Richard Pryor and Mel Brooks. The puppeteers and actors beautifully merge the world of the Muppets and the real world together.
Although some of the jokes and the technology used have since faded into obscurity, the values taught by the Gen X movie still ring true today. Teamwork, friendship, believing in yourself, honesty and doing what’s right are values shown in the film that we still need to hold onto.
Throughout the movie, one value shines above all else, follow your dreams. From the first strokes of the banjo in Rainbow Connection until the crew signs the standard “Rich and Famous,” the movie consistently displays the importance in following your dreams. Likewise, each character we meet has his or her own dream, which is woven in the framework of the movie. With dreams such as being a stand-up comedian or a beauty queen, the group teams up in hopes that together they make their dreams possible.
The movie was shown on Tuesday for one day as part of a special Fathom Theater event. The event gave the younger generations a chance to see the movie in theaters for the first time and many the chance to reminisce about their childhood for the night.
With the lovers, the dreamers and me sitting in the audience, it’s bound to be a hopping good time.
