# We have The Muppet Movie! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 19, 2002, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994 "2002-03-19T04:48:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/1 "2002-03-19T04:48:12Z")
Mr. Rilch came home this evening with a surprise: the DVD of **The Muppet Movie**! It’s been years since I’ve seen it. But I still know most of it by heart. So does Friend. Mr. Rilch claims to have forgotten most of it, but he remembers the one instance of Beaker “talking” (“Sadly temporary”) and Steve Martin as the sarcastic waiter. “Movin’ right along/Footloose and fancy free/Getting there is half the fun; come share it with me.” “Bear left!” “Right, frog!” “Kermie, whisper sweet nothings into my ear.” “Motorcycle cop.” “‘Motorcycle cop’ is a sweet nothing?” I love when Dr. Teeth says “Easier done than said!” I still say that, on occasion, and sometimes people get the reference. Unfortunately, I won’t get to watch it right now. We just got our cable back, and Friend and the Mr. have been looking forward to Monday Night RAW longer than they’ve been looking forward to the Muppets. But as soon as RAW is over, I’m off to the land of Oz and Henson (god bless his soul)! ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/2 "2002-03-19T05:38:36Z")
The shot with Kermit playing his banjo in the middle of the swamp is fun, but I especially like the scene where he has a little talk with himself out in the desert when everything is going wrong. Now, let’s see… Accessing secondary memory database…working… Why are there so many songs about rainbows And what’s on the other side? Rainbows are visions, only illusions And rainbows have nothing to hide So we’ve been told, and some choose to believe it I know they’re wrong, wait and see Someday we’ll find it, the Rainbow Connection The lovers, the dreamers, and me… And from the last shot… Life’s like a movie, write your own ending Keep believing, keep pretending We’ve done just what we’ve set out to do Thanks to the lovers The dreamers And you! Yep, that movie (and Time Bandits) got me through some rough times when my mom was deteriorating. Thanks, Mr. Henson. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/3 "2002-03-19T20:20:37Z")
One of my top five favorite movies. If you’ve got the DVD, check out the screen tests they have as one of the “extras.” Very funny bit of Fozzie doing some improv on a herd of cows. “I go home, have a couple of beers, take myself for a walk and go to bed.” -Rowlf “It’ll be so fine, and laid back, and mellow and proffitable.” -Dr. Teeth Or, Fozzie repeatedly saying, “No Problem!” as their car breaks down. Man, there are just too many great little bits from that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Ferrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ferrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferrous)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2002, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/4 "2002-03-19T20:38:24Z")
Yes! I love that movie. I even own the soundtrack (though not the movie). What great songs! “Rainbow Connection”, “Movin’ Right Along”, “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along”, “I’m Going To Go Back There Someday”… DVD, eh? I reckon I’m going to have to get that one. ---
**Author:** ![SpidyReb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@SpidyReb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpidyReb)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/5 "2002-03-20T02:26:29Z")
I absolutley love that movie!!! I’m probably one of the biggest muppet fans in the world, along with my fiancee’ If you don’t get a little emotional during the “rainbow connection,” you have no heart. I don’t know what it is about Henson’s work. He just has a way of connecting on a very basic, emotional level and at the same time being fall out in the floor funny. Probably the best part of the Muppet Movie, (and the others for that matter) is the cameos. You’ve got Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy, and Steve Martin, just to name a few. Sadly I only own the movies on VHS right now. I still haven’t broken down and bought a DVD player yet. I just don’t normally watch enough movies to justify it. Still, the release of the muppets on DVD is making me reconsider. Is the DVD as much of an improvement over the VHS version of TMM as I’ve heard? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/6 "2002-03-20T04:12:53Z")
Well, the DVD has extras, so yes, I would say it’s an improvement. Plus which, DVDs usually have better picture than VHS, and the DVD has widescreen, which VHS rarely does. So I watched it last night, and again this afternoon with Friend. The attention to detail is astounding. Friend pointed out how, when Rowlf is playing the piano, his “fingers” move, instead of him just pounding the keyboard with his paws. And the way he moves his head, so his ears flap about, makes him look just like an overcaffeinated jazz pianist! (Friend also said, in that scene, “Jeez, couldn’t they find a tinnier piano?”) And the Electric Mayhem’s performance is priceless: Zoot acts totally baked; Dr. Teeth is cheerfully agressive…They (Henson and Oz and the rest of their crew) really gave these creatures personalities, not just voices. I didn’t cry during “Rainbow Connection”, but I did when Gonzo sang. He is such a gentle little creature. And I love Beaker, and Fozzie, and Animal! I also liked the bookends, and the intermission, showing the Muppets interacting outside of the plot. Sam the Eagle asks Kermit, “Does this film have Socially Redeeming Values?” as a paper airplane lands itself in the crook of his elbow. Then, halfway through, the film gets stuck and melts, and we find that the Swedish Chef is the projectionist. Well, no wonder the projector gets jammed! And of course, Statler and Waldorf are there to heckle: “I’ve seen detergents that leave a better film than this! Uh huw huw huw!” ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/7 "2002-03-20T06:17:23Z")
A long time ago, I was stuck by myself for a while in Las Vegas. I found a copy of the sheet music for the Muppet Movie, and learned to play “I’m Going To Go Back There Someday”. I love that movie. “Electronic cerebrectomy!” “They don’t look like Presbyterians to me.” “Sheesh. A running gag.” ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/8 "2002-03-20T14:32:41Z")
“Myth, myth!” … “yeth?” Also, an everlasting funny bit, at the very end of Rowlf and Kermit’s song, you’ll notice that there are actually three voices. Rowlf and Kermit are singing in harmony, and then there’s another Rowlf voice kind of scatting at the end. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/9 "2002-03-20T14:40:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > **"Bear left!" > "Right, frog!"** Not to be excessively anal about this, but isn’t it: “Bear left Frog, Right” ? I’ve been using this quote for years whenever anyone is giving me driving directions that involve bearing to the left, and I’d hate to think I’ve been getting it wrong. “I coulda been Gone with the Schwinn” ---
**Author:** ![Politzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@Politzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Politzania)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/10 "2002-03-20T14:53:18Z")
Ah - I have lotsa fond memories … and the soundtrack! (neener neener) Bestest Friend & I singing along to “Moving Right Along” (she was Fozzie, I was Kermit). Trying to talk Mr. Pol into having a friend sing “Never Before” at the wedding (compromise was an instrumental of “Beauty & The Beast”) I still cry at “I’m Going to Go Back THere Someday” … even more emotional than “Rainbow Connection” , I think. Beaker’s only “line” cracks me up, too! Speaking of Beaker (one of my fave muppets) --have you seen Beaker Sings? Warning - may cause uncontrollable laughter! ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2002, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/11 "2002-03-20T15:21:18Z")
You people are going to make me cry, right here in the campus computer lab. I hate doing that. The movie makes my family bawl. Muppets are a family thing, and many of the lines are family not-quite-in-jokes. We have the sheet music and will sing the songs together. So when Becca,the youngest, found Her Beloved Voice Teacher[sup]TM[/sup] it was only natural for her to do Rainbow Connection. Then we discover that HBVT[sup]TM[/sup] can sing just like Kermit. Then HBVT[sup]TM[/sup] \*\*\* Moves to Isreal!\*\*\* breaking just about everyone’s heart in the process. (religious thing, something about wanting to be a Cantor (sp?)) So now we cry even more through Muppets. Its awful, its wonderful, I need to go hang with my fam and watch muppets. (Do you know you can get the Muppet show on tape? I supposedly got all of them for my birthday, but they are at home…read not here at school with me…read not my Muppets.) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/12 "2002-03-21T03:16:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Why A Duck \* > \*\* > > Not to be excessively anal about this, but isn’t it: > > “Bear left > Frog, Right” > > ? > > I’ve been using this quote for years whenever anyone is giving me driving directions that involve bearing to the left, and I’d hate to think I’ve been getting it wrong. > \*\* Bear left. Right, frog. Duck wrong. Sorry…[insert cringing smilie] ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/13 "2002-03-21T03:20:18Z")
OMG, **Politzania**! Thank you for that link! I’d heard about it, but never seen it! ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/14 "2002-03-21T21:25:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eonwe \* > \*\*One of my top five favorite movies. If you’ve got the DVD, check out the screen tests they have as one of the “extras.” Very funny bit of Fozzie doing some improv on a herd of cows. \*\* I’ve seen it now. Unreal! ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/15 "2002-03-21T22:41:06Z")
One of my favorite movies of all time. I break out the soundtrack (On vinyl, ah sweet vinyl. God, I swear there’s nothing like that wonderful pop and crackle to take you back 20 years in a heartbeat.) and play it sometimes and I feel just like a kid again. “Movin’ Right Along” is oft found on driving mix tapes. There’s nothing like that song to wake you up at 3 am in the middle of a long haul. My sister and I used to mess around and act out the long, slow-mo shot of Kermie and Piggy running at each other in Piggy’s “Never Again” love daydream sequence. “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” has edified me over and over again, even (I should say especially) as an adult. Gonzo’s character has always been a comfort to all of us people who feel like loners or outcasts at one time or another. I am _so_ going to pick up that DVD on my way home tonight. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/16 "2002-03-22T00:53:27Z")
I haven’t seen The Muppet Movie in years. Suddenly I feel all nostalgic. I’ve been sitting here for the last five minutes singing “Rainbow Connection.” If I ever get a DVD player, I’ll have to pick this one up. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/17 "2002-03-22T00:59:32Z")
Since it’s about a movie, I’m going to ship this off to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/18 "2002-03-22T03:50:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > \*\*“I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” has edified me over and over again, even (I should say especially) as an adult. Gonzo’s character has always been a comfort to all of us people who feel like loners or outcasts at one time or another. > \*\* Yes, and that song is also a foreshadowing (intentional? Were they thinking that far ahead?) in light of **Muppets in Space**. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/19 "2002-03-22T06:09:47Z")
Fozzie: If I’m not funny, I won’t be able to live with myself! Dr. Bunsen Honeydew: Then you’ll have to get another apartment, won’t you? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-the-muppet-movie/98994/20 "2002-03-22T14:20:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > \*\* > \ > Gonzo’s character has always been a comfort to all of us people who feel like loners or outcasts at one time or another. > \ > \*\* Gonzo had my favorite bit in the movie (taking the liberty of the inexact quote). Gonzo: “I’m going to Bombay, India to be a movie star!” Kermit: “But you go to Hollywood to be a movie star.” Gonzo: “Sure, if you want to do it the easy way!”