(by 62 people)
Jim Henson: Changing the Face of Children's Entertainment Forever
Of course, Jim Henson did much more than children's entertainment. He changed the world of puppetry forever and made both children and adults laugh, love and their imaginations ignite with his unique characters. This is my tribute to one of the most important men in my childhood. Though I never met him, his contributions to my life are endless.
Why Jim Henson?
Sesame Street and The Muppet Show were probably the pre-cursors to my rabid love of fantasy and humor. Later, shows like Fraggle Rock and movies like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth would broaden that love even further.
Jim, according to those that worked with him, was not only a master creator and puppeteer, but also a gentle, loving person who enjoyed seeing those that worked with him succeed even more than he did himself. This gracious spirit could be seen through the characters that were seemingly an extension of his personality, Kermit the Frog and Rowlf the Dog.
Though his characters continue to live on, I think it's important to remember the man that created them and brought them into our lives. This lens is my tribute to one of the most important men of my childhood.
I will continue to add and update to this lens. So, keep an eye out for it and make sure to bookmark this lens!
What's Here?
- Why Jim Henson?
- Lens of the Day!
- More About Jim Henson on the Web
- Muppets on the Web
- Yet Another Muppet News Flash!
- The Muppets in Atlanta
- Newsflash!
- Jim Henson Vids on YouTube
- Characters Voiced by Jim Henson
- What's Your Favorite Jim Henson Production?
- Muppets, Jim & More on Amazon
- Muppet Stuff!
- A Boy and His Frog
- Limbo - The Organized Mind
- Muppet Scrapbook Stickers!
- Have something to say?
Lens of the Day!
Thanks, guys!
More About Jim Henson on the Web
- Henson.com
- The official site of the Jim Henson company. Includes information on past, present and future projects.
- TIME 100: Jim Henson
- Time's 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century profile.
- The Jim Henson Foundation
- A foundation that provides grants to up and coming artists and puppeteers.
- Jim Henson - Muppet Wiki - a Wikia wiki
- Muppet Wikia's tribute to Jim.
- Muppet Central Articles - Tributes: Rembering Jim Henson
- A tribute to Jim by Muppets Central.
- Leland, Mississippi - Birthplace of the Frog
- Leland, MS touts itself as "the Birthplace of the Frog." As Jim's hometown, the town hosts a small museum dedicated to the life and work of Jim.
Muppets on the Web
The creatures that made Jim famous..
- Muppets.com -- The New Official Home of the Muppets!
- Muppets.com is your official source for all Muppet information, news and fun.
- Muppets Home - Muppet Central Fan Site
- Muppet Central is the Internet's leading source for Jim Henson news and collectibles.
- Muppet Wiki - Muppet Wiki - a Wikia wiki
- Muppet Wikia is the wikipedia of The Muppets.
- Statler & Waldorf: From the Balcony
- Muppets Statler and Waldorf Review upcoming releases on Movies.com
- Sesame Workshop - Sesame Street
- Sesame Street actually came before Jim's Muppet Show. This is the official Sesame Street website with information about the show, products and more.
- Labyrinth on Squidoo
- Not exactly Muppets, but even so, Labyrinth was one of Jim Henson's contributions to fantasy film. This lens includes everything you need to know about Labyrinth including song lyrics!
Yet Another Muppet News Flash!
The Muppets in Atlanta
Press conference at The Center For Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. The Henson family i...
One of the original Kermits. Now living in Atlanta at the Center for Puppetry Ar...
Vince Anthony, executive director of the Center for Puppetry Arts, and Cheryl He...
NY Times Article:
Newsflash!
And if you haven't already bought Season One, get with it, slo-poke!
The Muppet Show - Season Two
Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Muppet Show - Season One (Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 07/25/2008)
Jim Henson Vids on YouTube
From Manahmanah to Sesame Street
Characters Voiced by Jim Henson
These are just some of the characters that Jim voiced during his career...
- Kermit the Frog
- Rowlf the Dog
- The Swedish Chef
- Ernie
- Waldorf
- Guy Smiley
What's Your Favorite Jim Henson Production?
Muppets, Jim & More on Amazon
The Dark Crystal (Collector's Edition Boxed Set)
This was such an imaginative, creative film. Certa more...1 point
Muppet Show: Music Mayhem & More - 25th Anniv Coll
Manahmanah? What else do you need to know?0 points
The Great Muppet Caper - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition
The second Muppet film ever.0 points
The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition
The first Muppet film and the film in which Kermit more...0 points
The Muppets Take Manhattan
This was the film in which we actually first saw & more...0 points
Jim Henson's the Storyteller - The Definitive Collection
Some of Jim's more eclectic and myth-based work. O more...0 points
Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection - (Labyrinth / MirrorMask / The Dark Crystal)
This collection contains two films that Jim worked more...0 points
Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination by Christopher Finch
This is the BEST book on Jim and his work. I never more...0 points
Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook by Alison Inches
I actually haven't read this one, but it is on my more...0 points
It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider by Jim Henson
Think of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff more...0 points
Before You Leap: A Frog's Eye View of Life's Greatest Lessons by Kermit the Frog
This is just a sweet little book that would make a more...0 points
Fraggle Rock - Complete First Season
We children of the 80s have a soft spot for this s more...0 points
Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974)
This is true, old-school Sesame Street. Everything more...0 points
The Muppet Christmas Carol
This one is a Christmas tradition for me to watch.0 points
Muppet Stuff!
Kermit the Frog(TM) Easy Green Rider Figurine
Price: $19.95
Exclusive First-ever Muppets(TM) Kermit The Frog(TM) Collectible Figurine a Lean, Green Motorcycle Ridin' Machine! - For the first time anywhere, The... more »
MUPPETS Miss Piggy and Kermit MEGA LINK Officially Licensed Italian Charm
Price: $24.99
Authentic Licensed Italian Charm D e t a i l s Size 9mm Modular Charm Link Shiny Finish Metal Stainles... more »
Miss Piggy(TM) Hot To Trot Carousel Horse Figurine
Price: $29.95
Miss Piggy(TM) Carousel Horse Figurine is Hoggin' the Spotlight Again in a "Sty-lish" Jim Henson Muppets Collectible! - Dripping in pearls and dressed... more »
Kermit(TM)'s Keen Carousel Figurine
Price: $29.95
Collectible Kermit(TM) on Carousel Horse Figurine Leapfrogs into Your Heart in a "Toad-ally" Awesome Hamilton Exclusive! - It's never easy being green... more »
A Boy and His Frog
A beautiful tribute on YouTube
A Boy and His Frog
A small Jim Henson tribute made by me, mostly out of boredom, but also because I heard this song and the song just wouldn't leave me alone. I know I'll never be able to do Henson or the song justice, but I made the video anyway. Song - "A Boy and His Frog" by Tom Smith LYRICS Life is unfair, so they tell me, Because they think I wouldn't know. They only can see a cheap gimmick On their children's favorite show. They say, "Oh, that's just foam and a wire, Attached to a green velvet sleeve, Anyone can do that" -- well, that's true, I suppose, But who else could make them believe? What can I say without you there to guide me? How else am I supposed to give? How can I sing without you there beside me? How else am I supposed to live? You could never just do the expected, I was just an idea in a bog, But you sewed up your dream and we made quite a team, Jim and Kermit, a boy and his frog. It was me, Rolph, and you, but I think that he knew There was something that you and I had. The magic we made just kept growing, And none of it ever was bad. Then came Ernie and Scooter and Gonzo, Doctor Teeth, Cookie Monster, and more. But now all of those voices are silent, And I want to go on... but what for? No one can make me what you did, No one could walk in your shoes, Nothing can make me forget you, But that's not a thing that I'd choose. I can't just let it be over, And you wouldn't want it that way, So I'll stand up and I'll face it, And, though not quite in your voice, I'll say: I will go on without you there to guide me, There's so much more I can give. Whenever I sing, you will be there beside me, As long as I keep you, you'll live. We just wanted to make people smile, I was always much more than your toy. I will never regret and I'll never forget What we had, I'll miss you, Dad, This frog and his boy. Check out Tom Smith at this url- http://www.tomsmithonline.com/main1.htm This song and video are released under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike license
Runtime: 4:13
91661 views
10 Comments:
Limbo - The Organized Mind
An Experimental Film by Jim in 1974
Muppet Scrapbook Stickers!
This weekend, I found something so cool, I actually squealed. Yes, squealed. Muppet scrapbooking stickers. They're the absolute coolest. They're three dimensional and feature such characters as Kermit, Animal, Gonzo - even Sam Eagle and The Swedish Chef! I'm in love with them and think they'll be perfect for a page on the Muppets attractions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
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Have something to say?
Feel free to drop me a line about the lens or just chat about Jim.
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Amanda_Blue
I found myself sitting in front of the computer much as you had sat in front of the TV as a child, looking at your marvelous selection of Henson videos. The Count and Cookie Monster has my vote as no. 1 but in fact they are all number 1. What a marvelous lens! 5* and thanks. Posted June 20, 2008 |
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MerryM
omg, you were so right. tissues for Boy and His Frog. *sniffle* Posted May 12, 2008 |
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beachbum_gabby
he's a world entertainer and a great person. 5* for him! Posted May 02, 2008 |
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FoxMusic
Great Lens - Jim Henson was a major part of my "formative years".... No Big Purple Dinosaurs lol Posted April 24, 2008 |
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eccles1
We love Jim Henson for all the happy things he left behind. Posted April 17, 2008 |
