The Muppets Take Manhattan

Context & Trivia

Directed by Frank Oz, this was the first Muppet film solely directed by him, having previously co-directed "The Dark Crystal" with Jim Henson. The film is notable for introducing the "Muppet Babies" in a fantasy sequence, which later inspired the popular animated series. To achieve some of the more complex scenes, such as the Muppets riding bicycles or dancing, full-body puppet versions of the Muppets were created and seamlessly combined with traditional hand puppets in editing. Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, served as executive producer and was enthusiastic about Oz's direction, allowing him to relax and enjoy the process. The film also marks the first regular appearance of Rizzo the Rat.