Jim Henson vaulted Kermit, the famous floppy-armed frog, and his Muppet pals to the big screen with this charming 1979 musical adventure. Like the TV show that inspired it, Henson and director James Frawley playfully acknowledge movie clichés and conventions and allow the characters to address the camera in asides, like a Hope and Crosby road film for the 1980s. The ambitious singing frog decides to leave his swamp and conquer Hollywood, gathering a group of friends along the way (Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and more) and bumping into oodles of guest stars making tongue-in-cheek cameos (my favorite is the tip-of-the-hat appearance by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy). Meanwhile, despicable fast-food king Charles Durning pursues Kermit, hoping to make him the spokesfrog for his Frogs-Legs restaurant franchise. Austin Pendleton costars as Durning's sad sack henchman while guest stars include James Coburn, Dom DeLuise, Madeleine Kahn, Steve Martin, Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Carol Kane, Cloris Leachman, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Telly Savalas, Elliot Gould, Orson Welles, and Big Bird. Paul Williams penned the bouncy, song-filled score. You'll believe a frog can sing! --Sean Axmaker
Isidore Mankofsky | Cinematographer |
Jim Henson | Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Doc Hopper's Men / Link Hogthrob / Swedish Chef (voice) |
Frank Oz | Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam the Eagle / Doc Hopper's Men / Marvin Suggs / Swedish Chef / Motorcycle Guy (voice) |
Jerry Nelson | Floyd Pepper / Robin the Frog / Crazy Harry / Lew Zealand / Camilla / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (voice) |
Richard Hunt | Scooter / Statler / Janice / Sweetums / Beaker / Fozzie Bear (assistant) (voice) |
Dave Goelz | The Great Gonzo / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Zoot / Doglion / Iraqian in El Sleezo Cafe / Pig (voice) |
Charles Durning | Doc Hopper |
Austin Pendleton | Max |
Edgar Bergen | Charlie McCarthy - (voice) |
Milton Berle | Mad Man Mooney |
Mel Brooks | Professor Max Krassman |
James Coburn | El Sleezo Cafe Owner |
Dom DeLuise | Bernie the Agent |
Elliott Gould | Beauty Contest Compere |
Bob Hope | Ice Cream Vendor |
Madeline Kahn | El Sleezo Patron |
Carol Kane | "Myth" |
Cloris Leachman | Miss Tracy |
Steve Martin | Insolent Waiter |
Richard Pryor | Balloon Vendor |
Telly Savalas | El Sleazo Tough |
Orson Welles | Lew Lord |
Paul Williams | El Sleazo Pianist |
Lew Grade | Executive Producer |
Martin Starger | Executive Producer |
Christopher Greenbury | Editor |
Joel Schiller | Production Design |