The Great Muppet Caper

Louise Gold performed as Annie Sue, Lou-The-JugBand-Lady and other assorted characters, at Elstree Film Studios and on Location, 1981

 

Cast

Puppeteers

 Jim Henson – as Kermit The Frog, Rowlf, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, Swedish Chef, and other assorted characters (including The Muppet Newsman)

Frank Oz – as: Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam The Eagle, and other assorted characters (including Gramps, and Swedish Chef assistant puppeter)

Dave Goelz – as: The Great Gonzo, Beauregard, Zoot, Dr Bunsen Honeydew, and other assorted characters (including Lobbuck Lou)

Jerry Nelson –as; Floyd, Pops, Lew Zealand, and other assorted characters (including Cowboy Jerry, Crazy Harry, Slim Wilson, Zeke, and CB Voice)

Richard Hunt – as: Scooter, Stadler, Sweetums, Janice, Beaker, and other assorted characters (including Bubba, and another, Monster)

Steve Whitmire – as: Rizzo The Rat, Lips, and other assorted characters

Louise Gold – as assorted characters (including: Annie Sue Pig, and, Lou-The-JugBand-lady, also pigeon-voices)

Kathryn Mullen – as assorted characters (including Gaffer the cat, and various chickens, also pigeon voices)

 

Other Puppeters (Credited) – Robert (Robbie) Barnett, Brian Henson, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, Mike Quinn, and, Hugh Spight

 

Cameo Puppeteer

Carroll Spinney as Oscar The Grouch, courtesy of Children’s Television Workshop

 

Uncredited Puppeteers

Kiran Shah (sometimes known as Kirin Shaw) – as Miss Piggy’s Stunt Double

 

Actors

Starring

Charles Grodin – as Nicky Holliday

Diana Rigg – as Lady Holiday

Cameo Guest Stars

John Cleese – as Neville

Robert Morley – as British Gentleman

Peter Ustinov – as Truck Driver

Jack Warden – as Mr Tarkenian the News Editor

Featuring

Erica Creer – as Marla

Kate Howard – as Carla

Della Finch – as Darla

Michael Robbins – as Guard

Joan Sanderson – as Dorcas

With

Peter Hughes – as Maitre D’

Peggy Aitchison – as Prison Guard

Tommy Godfrey – as Bus Conductor

Katia Borg – as 1st Model

Valli Kemp – as 2nd Model

Michelle Ivan-Zadeh – as 3rd Model

Chai Lee – as 4th Model

Charkie’s Water Ballet – Cynthia Ashley, Susan Backlinie, Sherrill Cannon, Christine Cullen, Susie Guest, Wendy Holker, Linda Horn, Lee Keenan, Darine Klega, Lynn Latham, Cynthia Leake, Kahren Lohren, Tricia McFarlin, Denise McKenna, Melina Lee Phelps, Denise Potter, Ann Rynne, and, Roberta Ward

Uncredited Cameos

Jim Henson – as Man having snapshot taken in restaurant

Richard Hunt – as Taxi cab driver

Jerry Nelson – as Father in Park

Christine Nelson – as Girl/Daughter in park

Amy Van Gilder – as Woman having snapshot taken in restaurant

Uncredited Actors

Suzanne Church – as reporter

Patti Dalton – as a Prisoner

Peter Falk – as a Tramp

Ian Hanham – as a Reporter

Trevor Howard – as aggressive man in restaurant

Danny John-Jules – as Street Dancer

Rodney Lovick – as Doorman

David Ludwig – as Delivery Man

Mary Mazstead – as a Prisoner

 

Production Team

Directed by – Jim Henson

Music & Lyrics – Joe Rapso

Choreographer – Anita Mann

Production Designer – Harry Lange

Editor – Ralph Kemplan

Director of Photography – Oswald Morris B.S.C.

Executive Producer – David Lazer

Written by – Tom Pachett and Jack Rose

Additional writing credits– Jerry Juhl, and, Jay Tarses

Produced by – David Lazer and Frank Oz

Distributed by – Universal Pictures and Associated Film Distribution Corp

Assistant Director – Dusty Symonds

Camera Operator – Derek Browne (sometimes credited as Derek V Browne)

Sound Recordist – Peter Sutton

Continuity – Cheryl Leigh

Senior Camera Assistant & Video coordinator – Maurice Arnold

Gaffer – John Harman

Clapper/Loader – Tim Dodd

Supervising Video Engineer – Ian Kelly

Video Technician – Steve Privett

Supervising Art Director – Charles Bishop

Art Director and Effects Design – Terry Ackland-Snow

Art Director – Leigh Malone

Property Master – George Ball

Construction Manager – Alan Booth

Special Effects Supervisor – Brian Smithies

Set Dresser – Robyn Hamilton-Doney

Muppet Designers and Builders – Leslee Asch, Ed Christie, Lyle Conway, Nomi Frederick, Joan Garrick, Jane Gootnick, Ann Keeba-Tannenbaum, Janet Kuhl, Kathy Lazer, Perry McLamb, Tom McLaughlin, Maria McNamara, Tim Miller, Tom Newby, Connie Peterson, and, Caroly Wilcox

Muppet Technical Designers – Faz Fazakas, Larry Jameson, Tad Krzanowski, and, Tim Rose

Muppet Costumes by – Joanne Green, Calista Hendrickson, Danielle Obinger, Carol Spier, and, Mary Strieff, and (according to the IMDB) Julie Harris

Workshop Supervisor – Robert McCormack

Muppet “Doctor” – Amy Van Gilder

Special Assistant to Miss Piggy – Barbara Davis

Workshop Assistant – Debbie Coda

Design Consultant – Michael K Frith

New York Workshop Coordinator – Will Morrison

Miss Piggy’s Hairstyles – Christine Cooper

Miss Piggy’s Portfolio – John Barrett

Workshop Research – Faye Kreinberg

Production Executives – Bernard J. Kingham, and, Richard L. O’Connor

Production Supervisor – Donald Toms

Location Manager/Assistant to Producers – Martin Baker (sometimes credited as Martin G Baker)

Casting – Michael Barnes

2nd Assistant Director – Chris Newman

3rd Assistant Director – Nick Laws

Music Editor – Mike Clifford

Sound Editor – Nicholas Stevenson

1st Assistant Editor – Marcel Durham

Assistant Music Editor – Dina Eaton

Music Co-ordinator – Graham Walker

Musical Director and arrangements by – Joe Rapso

Orchestra conducted by – Joe Rapso, and, Marcus Dods

Orchestrations by – Joe Rapso

Music Recorded and Mixed by – John Richards at CTS Studios, Wembley, England

Make-up Supervisor – Stuart Freeborn

Wardrobe Supervisor – Betty Adamson

Hairdresser – Joan Carpenter

Stunt co-ordinator – Colin Skeaping

Assistant to Choreographer – Roy Jones

Police Liason – Brian Dellon

Supervising Accountant – Sidney Barnsby (sometime credited as Sidney G Barnsby)

Production Accountant – Mike Smith

Production Assistants – Bi Benton, and, Monica Rogers

Production Assistant to Director – Patsy de Lord

Producers’ Secretary – Jill Colley

Production Runners – Grant Kingham, and, Lisa Henson

Unit Publicist – Allen Burry

Publicity Assistant – Patric Scott

Unit Photographer – Murray Close

U.S.A. Production Manager – Dick Gallegly

Aerial Cameraman – Albert Werry

Underwater Cameraman – Charles Lagus

Hot-Air Ballon Company Limited – Colin Prescott, and, Jeremy Whiffen

Helicopter Pilot – Mark Woolf

Opticals by Roy Field B.S.C.

Titles by – Graphimation

 

Uncredited production team members (according to IMDB)

Associate Producer – Bruce Sharman

Executive Producer  (according to IMDB)– Martin Starger

Storyboard Artiste – John Stevenson

Sound re-recordist – Bill Rowe

Boom Operator – Don Wortham

Special Effects Technician – Peter Slootweg

Spark - Steve Kitchen

Camera Trainee - Jason Lehel

Additional Orchestrations – Dick Lieb, and, James Tyler

            For details of the Soundtrack album please click here.

 

The film soundtrack album for this film is The Great Muppet Caper (film Soundtrack) it features: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen. Along with taps by Anita Mann. It may be noted that Charles Grodin is also credited as being featured on it but in the film Miss Piggy makes a comment about his singing being dubbed. Michael K Frith, John Barrett, Marcus Dods also contributed to this album

Joe Rapso was nominated for an Oscar for the song The First Time It Happens.

Many of the people involved with this film, especially the puppeteers, went on to work on The Dark Crystal which was also shot at Elstree Film Studios. The puppeteers who went on to work on The Dark Crystal being: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Brian Muhel, Robert Barnett, Bob Payne, Mike Quinn, Hugh Spight, and, Kiran Shah; while Jerry Nelson did not puppeteer on it but he did do some voice-work. Quite a number of puppet builders also worked on both films, among them: Amy Van Gilder, Lyle Conway, Joan Garrick, Tom McLaughlin, Tim Miller, Ted Krzanowski, Faz Fazakas, Barbara Davis, Debbie Coda, and, Betty Adamson, while Tim Rose was not credited as a puppet builder he did puppereer on it. Other production personnel who worked on both include: Harry Lange, Oswald Morris, David Lazer, Ralph Kemplan, Dusty Symonds, Derek Browne, Maurice Arnold, John Harman, Cheryl Leigh, Ian Kelly, Tim Dodd, Charles Bishop, Terry Ackland-Snow, George Ball, Alan Booth, Brian Smithies, Martin Baker, Chris Newman, Nick Laws, Bi Benton, Grant Kingham, Patsy de Lord, Jill Colley, Roy Field, Bruce Sharman, Sidney G. Barnsby, Murray Close, Michael Clifford, Dina Eaton, Nicholas Stevenson, Marcel Durham, Bill Rowe, Peter Sutton, Don Wortham, Graham Walker, John Richards, and, Marcus Dods.

The Eight main puppeteers on this film; Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen had all previously puppeteered together as the eight main puppeteers on The Muppet Show; on which Brian Muehl and Bob Payne had also puppeteered; John Cleese had been a Guest Star; for which Leslee Asch, Ed Christie, Lyle Conway, Barbara Davis, Faz Fazakas, Nomi Frederick, Michael K Frith, Jane Gootnick, Joanne Green, Calista Hendrickson, Larry Jameson, Anne Keeba-Tannen-baum, Janet Kuhl, Robert McCormack, Tom McLaughlin, Tim  Miller, Tim Rose, Amy Van Gilder, and, Caroly Wilcox built puppets; Jerry Juhl wrote material; and David Lazer and Leigh Malone were also involved

The Muppet Show Eight can be heard on: The Muppet Show Music Album (on which David Lazer and Jerry Juhl also worked), John Denver & The Muppets A Christmas Together (on which Calista Hendrickson, Michael K Frith, and Martin Baker also worked), John Denver & The Muppets Merry Christmas 45RPM,  Muppet Hits 1 (although Steve Whitmire, and, Kathryn Mullen were uncredited), Muppet Hits 2 (although Steve Whitmire and Kathryn Mullen were uncredited), Christmas For Kids, John Denver Christmas, and, Muppet Music Mix.

The Muppet Show Eight, and, Caroll Spinney can be heard on: Favorite Songs From Jim Henson’s Muppets (which includes The First Time It Happens, and, Happiness Hotel from this film, along with Joe Rapso’s legendary Bein’ Green).

The Muppet Show Eight can also be heard on: Muppet Music Sampler (which includes The First Time It Happens from this film); and, Music Mayhem And More (although Jerry Nelson, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen are uncredited, it includes: Hey A Movie, Happiness Hotel, and, The First Time It Happens from this film).

The Muppet Show Eight, along with Jerry Juhl, David Lazer, Leigh Malone, and, Martin Baker featured on the television documentary Of Muppets And Men.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, and, Louise Gold had previously appeared on The Royal Variety Performance (1977). These six can be heard on albums: The Muppet Show Music Hall, The Muppet Show 2 (on which Jerry Juhl also worked), For What It’s Worth, and, Jim Henson Presents Silly Songs.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, and, Kathryn Mullen had previously appeared in “a burlesque show with some of the Muppet-company”.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire, Brian Muehl, Bob Payne, and, Mike Quinn puppeteered on The Muppets Go To The Movies, for which Jerry Juhl also wrote, David Lazer also worked; and puppet builders included: Leslee Asch, Ed Christie, Deborah Coda, Christine Cooper, Barbara Davis, Nomi Frederick, Joanne Green, Jane Gootnick, Calista Hendrickson, Janet Kuhl, Will Morrison, Connie Peterson, Carol Spier, Mary Streiff, Amy Van Gilder, and, Caroly Wilcox.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Kathryn Mullen, Brian Henson, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on Labyrinth, and some of them appear in the documentary Inside The Labyrinth. Other contributors to Labyrinth include: puppeteer Louise Gold as an actress/dancer, and actor Danny John-Jules as a voice-artiste; while the crew included Martin Baker.

Jim Henson, Jerry Nelson, and, Louise Gold can be heard on Jerome Kern The First 100 Years.

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Louise Gold, and Caroll Spinney can be heard on Elmo’s Lowdown Hoedown, which also includes songs by Joe Rapso.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Muppet Christmas Carol, as did: Mike Quinn, Robbie Barnett, and, Tim Rose, that film was directed by puppeteer Brian Henson, and it’s puppet builders included: Debbie Coda, Tom Newby, Larry Jameson, Tim Miller, Edward G Christie, Connie Peterson, Barbara S. Davis, and, Carol Spier. While: Martin Baker, Jerry Juhl, Ian Kelly, Jill Colley, Faye Kreinberg, Michael K Frith, and, David Lazer also worked on the film, and it’s soundtrack was also recorded at CTS Studios.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Brian Henson, and, Mike Quinn can be heard on Muppet Christmas Carol (Soundtrack album), which was also recorded at CTS Studios, Wembley.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold can be heard on Born To Add.

John Cleese’s recording credits include Utterly Utterly Live Comic Relief.

Robert Morely went on to speak at The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Preview).

Peter Ustinov and Louise Gold went on to do voices for the Creature Shop film Animal Farm.

Tommy Godfrey went on to appear in The Royal Variety Performance (1982).

Actor Ian Hanham went on to appear with the muppeteer Louise Gold (in her actress’s guise) in Mrs Cole’s Music Hall

Gaffer John Harman went on to work on The Pirates Of Penzance (Film).

Louise Gold and Tom McLaughlin went on to contribute their considerable puppet expertise to the Spitting Image Pilots.

Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Louise Gold, Robbie Barnett, Mike Quinn, and, Brian Henson went on to puppeteer on Muppet Treasure Island; In fact Jerry Nelson also appeared in that film as both a puppeteer and an actor. That film’s puppet builders included: Jane Gootnick, Larry Jameson, Tom Newby, Edward G. Christie, Tim Miller, Michael K. Frith, Janet Kuhl, Constance Peterson, Janet S. Davis, and, Carol Spier; Other personnel included: Martin G. Baker, Jerry Juhl, and, Jill Colley.

Kiran Shah, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on Alice In Wonderland, on which Peter Ustinov worked as a voice-artiste.

Larry Jameson, and, Tim Miller went on to work as puppet builders on Mopatop’s Shop, which Brian Henson produced.

Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and, Louise Gold went on to puppeteer on The Animal Show, on which Frank Oz did a guest puppeteering appearance; and Faz Fazakas’s technical work made a contribution.

Louise Gold, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Mike Quinn, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer on Tale Of The Bunny Picnic; for which Edward G. Christie, Jane A. Gootnick, Larry Jameson, Will Morrison, Tom Newby, and, Connie Peterson also built puppets; and on which Martin G. Baker also worked.

Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on the UK Co-Production of Fraggle Rock, for which Jerry Nelson, and, Dave Goelz (besides puppeteering on the main show) did voice-work.

Martin Baker was also involved with the German Co-Production of  Fraggle Rock, on which Louise Gold puppeteered.

Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to represent the puppeteers in an item about the film The Dark Crystal on Blue Peter.

Michael K. Frith, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Richard Hunt, Jerry Juhl, Kathy Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Mike Quinn, Caroll Spinney, and, Steve Whitmire went on to take part in Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Jerry Nelson, Mike Quinn, and, Steve Whitmire’s recording credits include A Green And Red Christmas.

Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Ghost Of Faffner Hall.

Jerry Nelson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, and, Mike Quinn went on to puppeteer on The Secret Life Of Toys.

Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney, and, Steve Whitmire went on to puppeteer together on Sesame Street (in the early 1990s).

Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, and, Louise Gold’s recording credits include The Count’s Countdown, however there has been debate as to whether Louise Gold actually sang on it.

Louise Gold, Brian Henson, and, Tim Rose appeared in the television documentary The Wonderful World Of Puppets.

Diana Rigg went on to star as Phyllis Rogers Stone in the famous 1987 London “revised” version of the musical Follies, for which Stephen Sondheim wrote a new song Ah But Underneath as a replacement for her character’s original big dance number The Story Of Lucy And Jessie. However, the next time that show was revived properly in London, in 2002, with Louise Gold in the role of Phyllis, (seeing as Ms Gold can tap dance) they restored the original number.

 

Critics Comments

 

 

Links about The Great Muppet Caper

Internet Movie Data Base Entry: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0082474/

Muppet Wiki’s page for the film: http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Great_Muppet_Caper

BFI Databse Entry: http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/224187

The Ultimate Disney review for the film, to mark Kermit’s 50th birthday: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/greatmuppetcaper-50th.html

NY Times’s page for the film: http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=20740

Amazon.com’s page for the film: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B00005JXY2/104-7830323-8841503

Contact Music.com’s page for the film: http://www.contactmusic.com/new/film.nsf/reviews/thegreatmuppetcaper

EOFFTV’s page for the film: http://www.eofftv.com/g/gre/great_muppet_caper_main.htm

The four Word Film Review’s page for the film: http://www.fwfr.com/display.asp?id=11782

Monsters And Critic’s page for the film: http://dvd.monstersandcritics.com/archive/dvdarchive.php/The_Great_Muppet_Caper_-_Kermit's_50th_Anniversary_Edition/5453

MSN Entertainment’s page for the film: http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=109694

Showbiz Data’s page for the film: http://www.showbizdata.com/credits.cfm/32526/Great_Muppet_Caper,_The

Barnes And Noble’s page for the film: http://video.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?ean=786936287820&VIEW=CCC

Disney DVD Movies, page for the film: http://www.disneydvdmovies.com/cgi-bin/dvd.cgi?id=102

Clive Banks’s page for the film: http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Muppets/Greatmuppetcaper.htm

Exo.net’s page for the film: http://www.exo.net/~ronh/DVD/title67.html

Loaded 247.com’s page for the film: http://www.loaded247.com/index.php?s=&id=940

DVD Realm’s page for the film: http://www.dvdrealm.com.au/proddetail.php?id=10218

Wikipedia entry for the film: http://muppet.wikicities.com/wiki/The_Great_Muppet_Caper

Yahoo Quick Flix.com’s page for the film: http://yahoo.quickflix.com.au/public/tools/viewmovie/GreatMuppetCaperThe/25790.aspx

Movie Folio.com’s page for the film: http://www.moviefolio.com/movies/Great_Muppet_Caper_The_1981.cfm

Artiste Direct’s page for the film: http://www.moviefolio.com/movies/Great_Muppet_Caper_The_1981.cfm

Avelyman.com’s page for the film: http://www.aveleyman.com/FilmsG/F00007668.HTML

DVD Planet’s page for the film: http://www.dvdplanet.com/product_listing.asp?productid=61843&format=DVD

800 Buy Movies’ page for the film: http://www.800-buy-movies.com/GeneralDVD/32407D1_Great_Muppet_Caper_dvd.htm

Rotten Tomatoes’s page for the film: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_muppet_caper/

Divix Plant’s page for the film: http://www.divxplanet.net/imdb.php?title=tt0082474

Rogers Video’s page for the film: http://www.rogersvideo.ca/movie.asp?mid=2969

So Central’s page for the film: http://www.socentral.lib.ne.us:7195/webopac/titleinfo?k1=90083&k2=77687

Amazon.co.uk’s DVD page for the film: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/dvd/B00005JXY2/cast-list/202-2271151-9973419

Amazon.co.uk’s Video page for the film: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/video/B00004D2VS/cast-list/202-2271151-9973419

Digitally Obsessed.com’s page for the film: http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/treereview.php3?ID=8145

SheLikesDVDs’com’s page for the film: http://www.shelikesdvds.com/Reviews/Great%20Muppet%20Caper.htm

StpreForDVD’s page for the film: http://www.store4dvd.com/html/DVD_Video/G/043396056183/Great_Muppet_Caper_DVD_Video.html

Do You remember.co.uk’s page for the film: http://www.doyouremember.co.uk/memory.asp?memID=613

Henson.com’s entry for the film: http://www.henson.com/entertainment/muppets_caper.html

 

| Return To Site Guide | Return To Muppet Work | The Great Muppet Caper Recording |