The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

Kermit and his friends go to New York City to get their musical on Broadway only to find it's a more difficult task than they anticipated.

Director:

Frank Oz

Writers:

Tom Patchett (story by), Jay Tarses (story by)

Stars:

Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Henson	...	Kermit the Frog / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Waldorf / Swedish Chef / Ernie / Granny / Horse & Carriage Rider / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman (voice)
Frank Oz	...	Miss Piggy / Fozzie / Animal / Bert / Cookie Monster / Ocean Breeze Soap Board Member / Sam the Eagle (voice)
Dave Goelz	...	Gonzo / Chester the Rat / Bill the Frog / Zoot / Beauregard / Jim the Dog / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Penguin (voice)
Steve Whitmire	...	Rizzo the Rat / Gill the Frog / Baby Kermit / Chicken / College Student in Audience / Dog (voice)
Richard Hunt	...	Scooter / Statler / Janice / Beaker / Dog (voice)
Jerry Nelson	...	Camilla / Lew Zealand / Floyd / Bear / Chicken / Crazy Harry / Dog / Dr. Julius Strangepork / Granny / Penguin / Pops (voice)
Juliana Donald	...	Jenny
Lonny Price	...	Ronnie Crawford
Louis Zorich	...	Pete
Art Carney	...	Bernard Crawford
James Coco	...	Mr. Skeffington
Dabney Coleman	...	Martin Price / Murray Plotsky
Gregory Hines	...	Roller Skater
Linda Lavin	...	Kermit's Doctor
Joan Rivers	...	Perfume Saleswoman

Storyline

The Muppets graduate from college and decide to take their senior revue on the road. They hit the streets of Manhattan trying to sell their show to producers, finally finding one young and idealistic enough to take their show. After several mishaps and much confusion, things begin to come together for them.

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Plot Keywords:

college | the muppets | hit by a car | frog | cave | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Henson.com Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Muppet Movie III

Filming Locations:

Hoboken Railway Station, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,416,022, 15 July 1984, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,534,703

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Henson Associates (HA), Delphi II Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As with The Muppet Movie (1979), this can be read as an allegory of Jim Henson's career. Like his creator, Kermit gains local popularity performing during his college years, decides to try his luck in New York City, struggles, takes an unlikely detour into the world of advertising, then gets his big break.

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Goofs

Kermit should have known Miss Piggy wasn't going far - the train she leaves on is the Erie Lackawanna Railroad which was a local railroad servicing only New Jersey. Erie Lackawanna shut down in 1983 when it was taken over by New Jersey Transit Corporation.

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Quotes

Kermit the Frog: We were hugging because that's what friends do! Friends do not spy!

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Crazy Credits

After the final credits roll, we can hear Animal say "Bye Bye, Bye Bye, Bye Bye...Hasta Luego".

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Alternate Versions

The VHS and Family Channel versions have Animal's slow growls of "BAAAAAAD MAAAAAAN" (at Dabney Coleman) dubbed out, though his repeated shouts of the phrase can be heard at the end of the scene. However, the growls are present on the DVD version.

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Connections

Edited into Muppet Babies: Musical Muppets (1985)

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Soundtracks

Somebody's Getting Married
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Moss
Performed by Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, and Kathryn Mullen

User Reviews

I'll Take the Muppets!

Jim Henson's Muppets were a favorite of mine since childhood. This film makes me feel like a kid again. Okay, the Muppets are back with Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog and their friends. The premise is that they are trying to get on Broadway in a musical show in where else but New York City. You will see cameos by the then New York City Mayor Ed Koch. Anyway, the film turns 25 this year and I hope the kids of today will learn to appreciate the lightheartedness of the Muppets Gang. The problem with the show is Kermit goes missing and the gang has to find him in New York City. It's worth watching for kids and even sentimental adults like myself.