The Muppets Go To The Movies

The Muppets Go To The Movies

Louise Gold performed the PopCorn Girl, and other assorted muppets, filmed at Elstree, first broadcast in the USA on 20 May 1981

Note, the sources say it was filmed in London, the set looks like it was a Muppet set at Elstree Television Studios.

Cast

Puppeteers

Jim Henson – as: Kermit The Frog, Link Hogthrob, Rowlf, The Swedish Chef, Waldorf, and other assorted characters

Frank Oz – as: Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Sam The Eagle, and other assorted characters

Dave Goelz – as: Beauregard, Fireman, Gonzo, Joe, and other assorted characters

Jerry Nelson – as: A Deputy, Dr Julius Strangepork, Lew Zealand, A Monster, Pops, Sgt Floyd Pepper, and other assorted characters

Richard Hunt – as: Beaker, Janice, Scooter, Sheriff, Statler, and other assorted characters

Steve Whitmire – as: Jed, Rizzo The Rat, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and other assorted characters

Louise Gold - as Popcorn Girl, and other assorted characters

Rollin Krewson – assorted characters

Brian Muehl – assorted characters

Kathryn Mullen – assorted characters

Bob Payne – assorted characters

Uncredited Puppeteers

Mike Quinn – assorted characters

Actors

Dudley Moore

Lily Tomlin

Production Team

Produced by - ATV

Executive Producer – David Lazer

Producer – Jim Henson

Director – Peter Harris

Writers – Jim Henson, Jerry Juhl, and, Chris Langham

Muppet Designers – Leslee Asch, Cheryl Blalock, Ed Christie, Deborah Coda, Christine Cooper, Nomi Frederick, Jane Gootnick, Janet Kuhl, Will Morrison, Amy Van Gilder, and, Caroly Wilcox

Muppet Costumes – Barbara Davis, Joanne Green, Calista Hendrickson, Connie Peterson, Carol Spier, and, Mary Streiff

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen were the eight main puppeteers on The Muppet Show, on which Rollin Krewson, Brian Muehl, and, Bob Payne had also puppeteered; Dudley Moore had been a Guest Star; for which: Leslee Asch, Cheryl Blalock, Ed Christie, Barbara Davis, Nomi Frederick, Jane Gootnick, Joanne Green, Calista Hendrickson, Janet Kuhl, Amy Van Gilder, and, Caroly Wilcox built puppets; For which Peter Harris was also a director; Jerry Juhl and Chris Langham were amongst the writers, and, on which David Lazer, and, Martin Baker, also worked.

The Muppet Show Eight (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen) can be heard on The Muppet Show Music Album, on which Peter Harris, David Lazer, Jerry Juhl, and, Chris Langham also worked. They all also feature on the documentary Of Muppets And Men.

The Muppet Show Eight (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen) can also be heard on: John Denver & The Muppets Merry Christmas 45RPM, The Great Muppet Caper (Soundtrack album), Favorite Songs from Jim Henson’s Muppets, Put Some Zing In Your Spring, Muppet Music Sampler, Muppet Music Mix, Christmas For Kids, John Denver Christmas, and, Music Mayhem And More.

The Big Five (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Dave Goelz) plus Louise Gold had previously appeared on The Royal Variety Performance (1977). Their recording credits include Jim Henson Presents Silly Songs.

The Big Five (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Dave Goelz) plus Louise Gold can be heard on The Muppet Show Music Hall, on which Peter Harris also worked.

The Big Five (Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Dave Goelz) plus Louise Gold can be heard on The Muppet Show 2, on which Peter Harris, and, Jerry Juhl also worked. Excerpts from that album were included on For What It’s Worth.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, and, Chris Langham had previously appeared in The All Time Get Around Sometimes Play Together Every Other Friday Night Vaudeville Show.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, and, Mike Quinn puppeteered on The Great Muppet Caper, for which Jerry Juhl also wrote, David Lazer also worked; and puppet builders included: Leslee Asch, Ed Christie, Deborah Coda, Christine Cooper, Barbara Davis, Nomi Frederick, Joanne Green, Jane Gootnick, Calista Hendrickson, Janet Kuhl, Will Morrison, Connie Peterson, Carol, Spier, Mary Streiff, Amy Van Gilder, and, Caroly Wilcox.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, Bob Payne, Brian Muehl, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Dark Crystal, for which Jerry Nelson did some voice-work, David Lazer also worked; and puppet builders included Deborah Coda, Barbara Davis, and, Amy Van Gilder, along with Rollin Krewson.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on Labyrinth, for which Rollin Krewson built puppets, and Louise Gold appeared as an actress, some of them appear in the documentary Inside The Labyrinth.

Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Tale Of The Bunny Picnic, for which puppet builders included Ed Christie, Jane Gootnick, Will Morrison and, Connie Peterson, along with Rollin Krewson.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Jerome Kern The First 100 Years.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Muppet Christmas Carol, for which Jerry Juhl wrote, David Lazer also worked; and puppet builders included Ed Christie, Deborah Coda, Barbara Davis, Connie Peterson, and, Carol Spier, along with Rollin Krewson.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Mike Quinn’s recording credits include The Muppet Christmas Carol (Soundtrack album).

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include Born To Add.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on Muppet Treasure Island, for which Jerry Juhl wrote; and puppet builders included Ed Christie, Barbara Davis, Jane Gootnick, Janet Kuhl, Connie Peterson, and, Carol Spier, along with Rollin Krewson.

Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz made a guest puppeteering appearance, and for which Peter Harris also directed.

Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on the UK Co Production of Fraggle Rock, for which Jerry Nelson, and, Dave Goelz did some voice-work.

Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeter in an item about The Dark Crystal on Blue Peter.

Peter Harris went on to directed Spitting Image, on which Chris Langham also wrote, and for which Louise Gold was Leading Puppeteer.

Peter Harris went on to work on the album Spit In Your Ear.

Chris Langham went on to appear on stage, along with Louise Gold, in The Pirates Of Penzance (Stage production), and as part of that company appeared in The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Performance), The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Preview), The Pirates Of Penzance (Benefit Preview), and The Royal Variety Performance (1982).

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathy Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Mike Quinn, Steve Whitmire, and, Jerry Juhl went on to take part in Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Jerry Nelson, Mike Quinn, and, Steve Whitmire’s recording credits include A Green And Red Christmas.

Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Ghost Of Faffner Hall.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Secret Life Of Toys.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen went on to puppeteer together on Sesame Street (in the early 1990s).

Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include The Count’s Countdown, however there has been some debate as to whether Louise Gold actually sang on it.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Peter Harris, Rollin Krewson, and, Chris Langham went on to contribute to the documentary I Love The Muppets.

Steve Whitmire probably puppeteered on ITV’s 50 Greatest Shows.

Ed Christie went on to design puppets for The Furchester Hotel.

Critics Comments

Links about The Muppets Go To The Movies

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344086/maindetails

Muppet Wiki Entry: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Muppets_Go_To_The_Movies

University of Maryland page about the programme: http://www.lib.umd.edu/digital/henson/video.jsp?pid=umd:1061

A biography of Jim Henson: http://www.angelfire.com/me3/muppets/JimsBio.html

New York Times review of the programme: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E0DA1438F933A15756C0A967948260

Museum Of Television And Radio, mention of the programme: http://www.mtr.org/screen/muppets2005/index.htm

Punch And Jewlry’s Unofficial Webguide To Muppet People And Productions: http://www.punchandjewelry.com/legacy/mupperf.txt

Video DB’s entry for the programme: http://www.videodb.net/videodb/show.php?id=2052

Everyone’s A Critic’s entry for the programme: http://www.everyonesacritic.net/movie.asp?movieid=24311

Mike Quinn’s resume: http://www.quinnzone.com/page7/page17/page17.html

Muppet Central’s Muppet Timeline, 1980’s: http://www.muppetcentral.com/articles/timeline/timeline_80s.shtml

Henson.com’s entry for the programme: http://www.henson.com/entertainment/muppets_movies.html

BFI Database entry for the programme: http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/291614

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