The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

Director:

Frank Oz

Writers:

Tom Patchett (story) &
Jay Tarses (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

13 July 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Musical | Romance

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

The Muppets | College | Frog | Cave | Amnesia

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

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 - Rat / Bill - Frog / Zoot / Beauregard / Dog / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Penguin (voice)
Steve Whitmire	...	Rizzo the Rat / Gill - Frog / Baby Kermit / Chicken / College Student in Audience / Dog / Lew Zealand (voice)
Richard Hunt	...	Scooter / Statler / Janice / Beaker / Dog (voice)
Jerry Nelson	...	Camilla / Lew Zealand / Floyd / Bear / Chicken / Crazy Harry / Dog / Dr. Julias Strangepork / Granny / Penguin / Pops / The Count (voice)
Juliana Donald	...	Jenny
Lonny Price	...	Ronnie
Louis Zorich	...	Pete
Art Carney	...	Bernard Crawford
James Coco	...	Mr. Skeffington
Dabney Coleman	...	Martin Price
Gregory Hines	...	Roller skater
Linda Lavin	...	Kermit's doctor
Joan Rivers	...	Perfume saleswoman
Elliott Gould	...	Cop in Pete's
Liza Minnelli	...	Herself
Brooke Shields	...	Customer in Pete's
Frances Bergen	...	Leonard Winesop's Receptionist
Edward I. Koch	...	Himself (as The Honorable Edward I. Koch)
John Landis	...	Leonard Winesop
Vincent Sardi Jr.	...	Himself
Kathryn Mullen	...	Jill - Frog / Chicken / Helpful Woman in Park (voice)
Karen Prell	...	Yolanda - Rat / Helpful Woman in Park (voice)
Brian Muehl	...	Tatooey - Rat / Bear / Dog (voice)
Bruce Edward Hall	...	Masterson - Rat / Beth Bear (voice)
James J. Kroupa	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
David Rudman	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
Melissa Whitmire	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
Michael Earl	...	Additional Muppet performer (voice) (as Michael Earl Davis)
Glenngo King	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
Timothy De Haas	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (as Tim De Haas)
Cheryl Bartholow	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice)
Martin P. Robinson	...	Additional Muppet Performer / College Student in Audience / Bear (voice)
Steve Burnett	...	College Student
Mary Lou Harris	...	College Student
Gates McFadden	...	Mr. Price's secretary (as Cheryl McFadden)
Joanne Hamlin	...	Woman in Price's Office
Hector Troy	...	First Cop
Norman Bush	...	Second Cop
Nancy Kirsch	...	Screaming Woman
Alice Spivak	...	Customer in Pete's
John Eric Bentley	...	Train Conductor (as John Bentley)
Dorothy Baxter	...	Elevator Passenger
Stephen Sherrard Hicks	...	Elevator Passenger
Susan Miller-Kovens	...	Elevator Passenger
John Maguire	...	Elevator passenger
Sinead Maguire	...	Elevator Passenger
Trisha Noel	...	Elevator Passenger
Ron Foster	...	Man in Winesop's Office
Michael Hirsch	...	Man in Winesop's office
Vic Polizos	...	Construction Worker
Kenneth McGregor	...	Construction Worker (as Kenneth MacGregor)
Chet Washington	...	Construction Worker
Graham Brown	...	Mr. Wrightson
James Bryson	...	Customer in Pete's
Chico Kasindir	...	Customer in Pete's
Viola Borden	...	Bingo Caller
Paul Stolarsky	...	Aquacade Announcer
Maree Dow	...	Woman in Bleachers
Don Quigley	...	Man in Bleachers
Michael Connolly	...	Maitre D' at Sardi's
Wade Barnes	...	Customer at Sardi's
Ruth Button	...	Customer at Sardi's
Lee-Ann Carr	...	Customer at Sardi's
Richard Dubois	...	Customer at Sardi's
Diana Hayes	...	Customer at Sardi's
Jane Hunt	...	Customer at Sardi's
Jaqueline Page	...	Customer at Sardi's
Harriet Rawlings	...	Customer at Sardi's
Milton Seaman	...	Customer at Sardi's
Gary Tacon	...	Thief in Central Park
Joe Jamrog	...	Cop in Central Park
Mark Marrone	...	Chauffeur
Cyril Jenkins	...	The Minister (as Dr. Cyril Jenkins)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Kay Adams	...	Woman in Crawford's Office (uncredited)
Robert Armin	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Peter Baird	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Michael Bertolini	...	Muppet Performer / Link Hogthrob (uncredited)
Cheryl Blaylock	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Fran Brill	...	Additional Muppet Performer / News Reporter (voice) (uncredited)
Edward G. Christie	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Ralph Cole Jr.	...	Roller skater (uncredited)
Charles Francis Corbett	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Faz Fazakas	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Brian Henson	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Heather Henson	...	Girl Serving Drinks at Beer Hall (uncredited)
Rollin Krewson	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
David Lazer	...	Customer at Sardi's (uncredited)
Joel Leder	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Ronn Lucas	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Sonia Manzano	...	Customer at Sardi's (uncredited)
Jim Martin	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Todd Stockman	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Tom Van Dell	...	Theater Patron (uncredited)
Gabriel Velez	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)
Caroly Wilcox	...	Additional Muppet Performer (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Frank Oz

Writing credits
Tom Patchett		(story) &
Jay Tarses		(story)
Frank Oz		(screenplay) and
Tom Patchett		(screenplay) &
Jay Tarses		(screenplay)

Produced by
Jim Henson	....	executive producer
David Lazer	....	producer

Original Music by
Ralph Burns

Cinematography by
Robert Paynter		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Evan A. Lottman		(as Evan Lottman)

Casting by
Howard Feuer
Jeremy Ritzer

Production Design by
Stephen Hendrickson

Art Direction by
Paul Eads
W. Steven Graham

Set Decoration by
Robert Drumheller
Justin Scoppa Jr.

Costume Design by
Calista Hendrickson
Karen Roston
Polly Smith

Makeup Department
Fern Buchner	....	makeup artist
Romaine Greene	....	hair stylist
Wayne Massarelli	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Ezra Swerdlow	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Timothy M. Bourne	....	additional second assistant director
Ronald M. Bozman	....	first assistant director
Tony Gittelson	....	second assistant director
Leo Zisman	....	second second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	property master
Edward G. Christie	....	muppet constructor
John Davis	....	storyboard artist
Tim Miller	....	muppet constructor
James Sorice	....	master scenic artist
Dave Weinman	....	chief set dresser (as David Weinman)

Sound Department
Stan Bochner	....	sound editor
Louis Cerborino	....	sound editor
Anthony J. Ciccolini III	....	supervising sound editor
Paul Coombe	....	sound re-recording mixer
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist
Lee Dichter	....	sound re-recording mixer
Vito L. Ilardi	....	sound recordist
Les Lazarowitz	....	sound mixer
Hal Levinsohn	....	adr editor
Tod A. Maitland	....	boom operator
Harry Peck Bolles	....	assistant sound editor
Maurice Schell	....	sound editor
Mel Zelniker	....	adr recordist
Richard Friedlander	....	apprentice sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Leigh Donaldson	....	muppet special effects
Edward Drohan	....	special effects
Faz Fazakas	....	muppet special effects
Brian Henson	....	muppet special effects
Larry Jameson	....	muppet special effects
Dick Loveless	....	muppet special effects
Tom Newby	....	muppet special effects

Stunts
Cheryl Blackman	....	stunt double: Miss Piggy
Cliff Cudney	....	stunt driver
Tony Farentino	....	stunt driver
Denise Lucadamo	....	stunt double: Miss Piggy
Victor Magnotta	....	stunt coordinator
Christa Tomasulo	....	stunt double: Miss Piggy

Camera and Electrical Department
Ralph Brandofino	....	second assistant camera
Garrett Brown	....	Steadicam operator
Jerry DeBlau	....	best boy
John W. DeBlau	....	gaffer
John Donohue	....	dolly grip
Richie Ford	....	electrician
Dennis Gamiello	....	key grip
Peter Girolami	....	electrician
Kerry Hayes	....	still photographer
Ian Kelly	....	supervising video engineer
Richard C. Kratina	....	camera operator
Gary Muller	....	co-first assistant camera
Hank Muller	....	first assistant camera
Peter Norman	....	photographer: second unit
Robert Shepherd	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Sylvia Fay	....	extras casting
Gus Schirmer	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lee Austin	....	wardrobe supervisor
Deborah Katz	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Trudy Ship	....	first assistant editor

Music Department
Charlie Clifton	....	music recording engineer
Tom Jung	....	music recording engineer
Todd Kasow	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Harold 'Whitey' McEvoy	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Lauren Antinello	....	muppet design and construction
Patricia Barrow	....	production assistant
Cheryl Blalock	....	muppet design and construction
Renee Bodner	....	script supervisor
Fred Buchholz	....	muppet design and construction
Al Cerullo	....	pilot
Christopher Chadman	....	choreographer (as Chris Chadman)
Edward G. Christie	....	muppet designer
Frank Comito	....	production assistant
Janet Delvoye	....	muppet design and construction
Prudence Farrow	....	production assistant
Bob Flanagan	....	muppet design and construction
Michael K. Frith	....	design consultant
Jane Gootnick	....	muppet rigging coordinator
Lee Gottsegen	....	production assistant
James Greenhut	....	studio manager
Jerry Gum	....	muppet design and construction
Jim Henson	....	choreographer
Amy Herman	....	production assistant
Marian Keating	....	muppet design and construction
Rollin Krewson	....	muppets' studio coordinator
Robin Kusten	....	muppet design and construction
Maria McNamara	....	muppet design and construction
Tim Miller	....	muppet designer
David Misch	....	special consultant
Sandy Nelson	....	location coordinator
Bruce Patterson	....	production office coordinator
Connie Peterson	....	muppet design and construction
Jan Rosenthal	....	muppet design and construction
Jody Schoffner	....	muppet design and construction
Bobbie Stein	....	unit publicist
Chris Stoia	....	production assistant
Norman Tempia	....	muppet design and construction
Richard Termine	....	muppet design and construction
Caroly Wilcox	....	muppet design and construction
Peter Baird	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Kris Cole	....	production staff (uncredited)
Charles Francis Corbett	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Joel Leder	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Ronn Lucas	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Craig Miller	....	marketing consultant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• TriStar Pictures
• Henson Associates (HA)
• Delphi II Productions
• Jim Henson Company, The

Distributors

• TriStar Pictures (1984) (USA) (theatrical)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1985) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1987) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2000) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (200?) (UK) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (19??) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Computer Opticals  opticals
• R/Greenberg Associates  titles
• Sound One Corporation  post-production services
• Warner Bros. Records  soundtrack

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Portugal:M/6 | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:All | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Empire Stages of New York, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

TriStar Pictures

Trivia:

The scene where Kermit graduates from college was filmed at Vassar College in New York. Director Frank Oz wanted it shot in front of the most academic looking building on the campus: the dining hall.

Goofs:

Continuity: The gum Miss Piggy inadvertently gets her hand stuck to just before getting her purse snatched was clearly not there when she first came up to the lamppost.

Quotes:

Kermit the Frog: Why don't you try something like: Ocean Breeze Soap will get you clean.
Jill the Frog: You mean just say what the product does?
Gil the Frog: No one's ever tried that before.

Movie Connections:

Edited into "Muppet Babies: Musical Muppets (#2.8)" (1985)

Soundtrack:

Waiting for the wedding

great muppet movie...

i love this film. the songs and story lines are great fun. and the song "saying goodbye" always moves me. what a brilliant thing to do to bring puppets to life, in a way that you actually care about these things made of cloth and fabric and whatever. great voices and great talent. why were all the other muppet films that came after this one so much less interesting, moving and funny? is it that mr. henson is just so very missed?