Review #167: 'The Great Muppet Caper' (1981)

In the short life of Jim Henson, he achieved some quite spectacular things. Technically, he took puppetry into a whole different level. A 'creature workshop' was created, and along with other great performers and skilled artists, which developed some amazing effects for such astonishingly elaborate films as The Dark Crystal (1982) and Labyrinth (1986). The workshop is still, to this day, a fully functioning company, that recently worked on Spike Jonze's Where the Wild Things Are (2009). Aside from Henson's more forward thinking for the development of his craft, he has endowed the collective consciousness with a collection of enduring, lovable characters. Jim Henson had been developing a puppetry style for television since the 1950's. However, after the success of the Children's Television Workshop's Sesame Street (1969 - present), he wanted to be able to take creative control over a show featuring his Muppet puppets.

The cultural phenomenon that was The Muppet Show, began in 1976 and ran until 1981. The show was set in a theatre, which was harking back to the days of vaudeville. This element of variety was carried over into the first film, The Muppet Movie (1979), and has also been developed in their second feature, The Great Muppet Caper. Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear are twin brothers who, along with Gonzo, are playing investigative journalists. After being fired from their newspaper, they decide to pursue a story about jewel thieves in England. There they meet a whole host of other Muppet characters, and become embroiled in a mystery involving brother and sister, Nicky and Lady Holiday (Charles Grodin and Diana Rigg). There are some catchy musical numbers, and a Busby Berkley inspired synchronised swimming sequence with Miss Piggy and its centre.

It is testament to the characters that Henson created here. They still endure today. I have many fond memories of the Muppets. This was unfortunately the last great Muppet film. (Here's hoping that this years The Muppets will reinvigorate the franchise.) Caper is a fun film. The characters constantly refer to themselves being in a film (this is a device that Henson used also in The Muppet Movie). There are some decent cameos from John Cleese, Peter Falk and Peter Ustinov (who plays alongside Grouch from Sesame Street):

Ustinov "What are you doing here?".

Grouch "A very short cameo".

Ustinov "Me Too".


Directed by: Jim Henson
Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg, John Cleese, Peter Ustinov
Country: UK

Rating: ****

Marc Ivamy