The Muppets Take Manhattan **** (1984, voices of Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz) – Classic Movie Review 8174

Director Frank Oz’s 1984 The Muppets Take Manhattan is the third Muppet movie following The Muppet Movie (1979) and The Great Muppet Caper (1981). Jeff Moss was Oscar nominated for Best Music, Original Song Score.

This time, Kermit the Frog (voice of Jim Henson), Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), Fozzie Bear (Frank Oz) and Gonzo (Dave Goelz) take their college show to Manhattan to try to storm Broadway in the third Muppet romp. Miss Piggy goes up the aisle with Kermit, we meet the Muppet babies and the Muppets meet New York City Mayor Ed Koch.

A talented roster of humans, the Oscar-nominated Jeff Moss song score, well-used New York location filming backdrops and an enjoyable script (by Frank Oz, Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses) combine to help to turn this into perhaps the most entertaining Muppet movie, though it came too late for big box-office success.

Juliana Donald makes her film debut in the thankless star role as Jenny. The guest stars are Lonny Price, Louis Zorich, Art Carney, Dabney Coleman, Joan Rivers (Perfume Saleswoman), Liza Minnelli, Elliott Gould, Brooke Shields, Gregory Hines, Linda Lavin,, James Coco, Ed Koch, Frances Bergen, Vincent Sardi and John Landis.

Voices are by Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef /Ernie / Granny / Horse and Carriage Rider / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy / Fozzie / Animal / Bert / Cookie Monster / Ocean Breeze Soap Board Member / Sam the Eagle), Jerry Nelson (Camilla / Lew Zealand / Floyd / Bear / Chicken / Crazy Harry /Dog / Dr Julius Strangepork / Granny / Penguin / Pops), Richard Hunt (Scooter / Statler / Janice / Beaker / Dog), Dave Goelz (Gonzo / Chester the Rat / Bill the Frog / Zoot / Beauregard /Jim the Dog / Dr Bunsen Honeydew / Penguin , Steve Whitmire (Rizzo the Rat / Gill the Frog / Baby Kermit / Chicken / College Student in Audience / Dog), Kathryn Mullen and Bruce Edward Hall.

Three decades or so on, it is looking a bit quaint, with its glove puppets and lack of CGI special effects, but it is still amusing and charming for kids and adults alike. Gonzo: ‘Maybe we should add more special effects like exploding socks.’

The studio work was done at the Empire Stages of New York, Long Island City, Queens, New York City.

The series carried on regardless: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Muppet Treasure Island (1996), Muppets from Space (1999), The Muppets (2011) and Muppets Most Wanted (2014).

After several unsatisfying takes, director/ Miss Piggy performer Frank Oz sent a stagehand to get him and Joan Rivers two gin and tonics each to drink before filming their final successful take of the scene for the film.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8174

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com