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Jim Henson, Puppeteer
In Greenville, Mississippi a little boy was born, in 1936, who would grow up to create icons for children everywhere. That little boy was James Maury Henson, better known as the Muppet-maker.
New Table of Contents
Sam and Friends
Jim Henson's First Show
Jim Henson: The Works - The Art, the Magic, the Imagination
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 10/08/2008)
It was on this show that Jim Henson really experimented with his puppetry skills. He totally changed the way puppets were used on television. Gone were the wooden bodies, in came rubber, foam and fabrics; out went the marionette strings and in came rods. It is really quite amazing the changes that came from this incredible man.
It was also on this show that we first met Kermit, named after a childhood friend of Jim Henson. Kermit is one of his most memorable and recognizable creations.
In 1959 Jim Henson and Jane Nebel were married.
Commercial Success
Jim Henson Uses His Puppets to Advertize
During the 60s Jim Henson appeared on talk shows as well as continuing with his commercials and it was on the Jimmy Dean show that the first recognizable "muppet" made his appearance in the shape of Rowlf. Jim also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Today Show while still finding time to write, direct, produce and star in "The Timepiece."
The Timepiece
Starring, Directed & Written by Jim Henson
Sesame Street
Jim Henson Weaves His Magic Into Children's Homes, Everywhere
Gund Sesame Street 12-Inch Cookie Monster
Amazon Price: $14.45 (as of 10/08/2008)
Jim created the Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie and Bert, Oscar the Grouch and Grover. Joan has said that " Sesame Street had many collective geniuses, but Jim Henson was the only individual genius of the show."
Sesame Street may have been the work of many, but the characters that we all love are the work of one genius - Jim Henson.
This great Sesame Street t-shirt was inspired by the Beatles and can be yours to own from Tee Shirts Rock.
Muppet Time
A Show for ALL The Family
The Muppet Show - Season One (Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 10/08/2008)
The Muppet Show was a weekly family variety show and became an overnight success. It was syndicated to 106 countries and ran from 1976 until 1981. At its peak the Muppet Show was watched by 235 million viewers.
Jim Henson introduced us to the characters of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Rizzo the Rat and Gonzo the Great. Let's not forget my favorites, the two old men on the balcony - Waldorf and Statler.
Muppets Take On Hollywood
The Muppet Feaure Movies
The Muppet Movie - Kermit's 50th Anniversary Edition
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/08/2008)
The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island and Muppets From Space all followed the original The Muppet Movie.
Hollywood's Walk of Fame could not forget the Muppets or Jim Henson's contribution to the world, however. In 1991 Jim Henson received a star on the Hollywood's Walk of Fame and in 1994 Big Bird received one as well. Poor Kermit had to wait until 2002 to receive his and he turned Miss Piggy green with envy!
Jim Henson Foundation
Developing Puppetry
Jim Henson in the 80s
His Last Decade
Labyrinth
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/08/2008)
The Labyrinth starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly was a flop at the time, but has attained cult status. Jennifer Connelly (only 12 herself at the time) plays the angst teen Sarah in this movie while David Bowie plays the Goblin King to perfection. Fed up with being left babysitting her brother Sarah wishes he was sent to the Goblin Kingdom and he is.
Now she has to get him back and so the adventures begin. A combination of people, puppets and David Bowie's music and what you get is a fantastic cult movie not to be missed. If you haven't watched it yet, you need to now!
The Death of a Magic Puppeteer
Jim Henson, Dead Too Soon
Long time friend and collaborator Frank Oz paid tribute to Jim when he said that, "while Jim Henson was not 'perfect', his treatment of other people that he worked with, came closest to perfection than anyone he had ever known."
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Every body loves Kermit and Jim Henson! Posted September 16, 2008 |
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