This is not a little movie because of it’s limited exposure, but instead because it is so old I’m sure a lot of people never saw it. You really should if you haven’t. It will take you on a crazy adventure across the country with a bus full of Muppets, but this is not the Sesame Street bunch. These are the very cool, very hilarious Muppet Show guys and they wise crack, double entendre and “allude” all over the place. This is one of those films that is fun for the kiddos but operates very comfortably on an adult level as well. If nothing else it is worth it for the cameos: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Charles Durning, in addition to (if you can believe it) Bob Hope, Orson Wells, and Milton Berle.
The basic story is that Kermit has decided to leave his swamp and go to Hollywood to make his fortune. Along the way he picks up a colorful cast of characters all hoping to hit it big in the movies, including Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Rowlf the Dog. The conflict comes when the owner of a chain of frogs legs restaurants decides he want Kermit to be his spokesperson. Sounds preposterous and it is, but it is also a lot of fun.
Thirty-six years after the fact I am still singing the songs, but there is one in particular that means a lot to me. It’s called “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday,” and Gonzo sings it when they are sitting around a campfire in the desert. Here’s the YouTube link:
My favorite line: There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.
I have been blessed in my life to meet many people in many different circumstances with whom I felt an immediate connection, and whom I called friend within minutes of meeting them. “Old friends who’ve just met.” Leave it to the Muppets to put a hard-to-define feeling in the words of a song sung by a–whatever he is.
Anyway, I love this movie, and it is a great, funny escape for a couple of hours for a grown-up alone or for the whole family.
bethwarstadt.com 