The Muppets Take Manhattan

Synopsis of Movie

“Together again…”

The third feature outing for Kermit, Piggy and the gang was also the last with Muppet creator Jim Henson. This time out, the Muppets went Broadway—or at least tried to—with the musical help of composer Ralph Burns (Cabaret, Annie). The “small-towners try to make it in the big city” routine had been done before, but never with frogs, pigs, bears and assorted fish-throwing loonies.

After Kermit and pals stage a successful musical number at small Danhurst College, they get the showbiz bug and head for Broadway, where Kermit hopes to earn enough money to marry his sweetheart, Miss Piggy. Unfortunately, the Great White Way is not as inviting as they’d hoped, and door after door is slammed in their faces. Their dreams crushed for the moment, the Muppets take a variety of odd jobs, with Kermit working as a waiter in a small diner. The job introduces the loveable frog to the boss’ cute daughter, Jennie (a human), making Miss Piggy incredibly jealous.

Just when things start to go right, Kermit gets struck by a taxi and left with amnesia, eventually taking on a new life as an advertising executive. With Kermit out of the picture, it’s up to Miss Piggy and the rest of the Muppets to save the show and rescue Kermit from a life of 80’s corporate greed.

The Muppets had been satirizing show business for years on TV’s The Muppet Show, and The Muppets Take Manhattan proved they were masters of the game. Art Carney, Joan Rivers, Dabney Coleman and others provided the celebrity cameos, a Muppet movie staple. The film also featured the first appearance of the Muppet Babies, who went on to star in an insanely popular cartoon of their own.

Movie Release History

1979 - The Muppet Movie
1981 - The Great Muppet Caper
1984 - The Muppets Take Manhattan
1992 - The Muppet Christmas Carol
1996 - The Muppets Take Manhattan
1999 - The Muppets Take Manhattan

Movie Sub Categories

live-action
comedy
musical

Movie Studio

Henson Associates, TriStar

Cast

Kermit the Frog Jim Henson
Rowlf Jim Henson
Dr. Teeth Jim Henson
Ernie Jim Henson
Muppet Newsman Jim Henson
Swedish Chef Jim Henson
Waldorf Jim Henson
Miss Piggy Frank Oz
Fozzie Bear Frank Oz
Animal Frank Oz
Sam the Eagle Frank Oz
Bert Frank Oz
Cookie Monster Frank Oz
Gonzo Dave Goelz
Chester Rat Dave Goelz
Bill the Frog Dave Goelz
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew Dave Goelz
Zoot Dave Goelz
Rizzo the Rat Steve Whitmire
Gil the Frog Steve Whitmire
Scooter Richard Hunt
Statler Richard Hunt
Janice Richard Hunt
Sweetums Richard Hunt
Beaker Richard Hunt
Floyd Pepper Jerry Nelson
Camilla Jerry Nelson
Pops Jerry Nelson
Crazy Harry Jerry Nelson
Lew Zealand Jerry Nelson
Jenny Juliana Donald
Ronnie Crawford Lonny Price
Pete Louis Zorich
Cameo Guest Star Art Carney
Cameo Guest Star James Coco
Cameo Guest Star Dabney Coleman
Cameo Guest Star Gregory Hines
Cameo Guest Star Linda Lavin
Cameo Guest Joan Rivers

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