The Great Muppet Caper *** (1981, voices of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire) – Classic Movie Review 8175

Director Jim Henson’s Muppets again feature in the 1981 The Great Muppet Caper, a much-improved sequel to the 1979 first caper The Muppet Movie, with a amiable selection of largely British performers, raising reliable laughs. Miss Piggy is the hit turn in the vintage Fred Astaire and Esther Williams musical parody numbers. Joe Raposo was Oscar nominated for Best Original Song for the song ‘The First Time It Happens’ (performed by Frank Oz, Jim Henson and chorus).

In the screenplay by Tom Pachett, Jay Tarses, Jerry Juhl and Jack Rose, there is a plot too as well as the songs and jokes: Miss Piggy (voice of Frank Oz) plays a receptionist in Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg)’s fashion house, where there is a diamond necklace robbery investigated by reporters Kermit the Frog (voice of Jim Henson) and Fozzie Bear (voice of Frank Oz).

Also in the guest star cast are Charles Grodin, John Cleese, Robert Morley, Trevor Howard, Peter Ustinov and Jack Warden.

It features the voices of Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr Teeth / Swedish Chef / Waldorf /The Muppet Newsman / Zeke / Man having Snapshot in Restaurant), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam the Eagle / Gramps /Swedish Chef), Dave Goelz (The Great Gonzo / Beauregard / Zoot / Dr Bunsen Honeydew /Lobbuck Lou), Jerry Nelson (Floyd Pepper / Pops / Lew Zealand / Crazy Harry / Louis Kazager/ Slim Wilson / CB Voice / Man in Park), Richard Hunt (Scooter / Statler / Sweetums / Janice / Beaker / Bubba /Monster / Cab Driver) and Steve Whitmire (Rizzo the Rat / Lips).

Happiness Hotel (music and lyrics by Joe Raposo) is performed by Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Dave Goelz. Other songs include Hey a Movie!, Steppin’ Out with a Star, Night Life, The First Time It Happens, Couldn’t We Ride, Piggy’s Fantasy (Miss Piggy) and The Muppet Fight Song.

Henson did not like the working title Muppet Mania and ran a competition for an alternative. The winning title was by 19-year-old Lisa Henson, The Great Muppetcapade, but she also included alternate choices, including Caper.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8175

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