Henson's Place: The Man Behind the Muppets

Although he's been gone for two decades, the legacy of inimitable puppeteer Jim Henson (1936-90) is still alive and well. New to DVD, this 1984 documentary delves into Henson's life and early career. Growing up in Washington D.C., Henson cites his artist grandmother for helping him find inspiration, although his initial focus on drawing would later shift during college, leading to his first puppet-oriented TV show Sam and Friends (1955-61). Henson's craft—both as a puppeteer and as a creator of lovable characters—would blossom (especially with the popular Muppet showcase Sesame Street) thanks to collaborations and connections with Frank “Miss Piggy” Oz, Children's Television Workshop cofounder Joan Ganz Cooney, and English media mogul Lew Grade, among others interviewed here. Although obviously dated (mention is made of Henson's work on the feature film Labyrinth and his “newest” show Fraggle Rock), Henson's Place offers an entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the visionary workaholic's dedication to and advancement of the art of puppetry. As Kermit the frog (voiced by Henson) says in an interview segment, “He seems to have his hand in a lot of things around here.” DVD extras include a 1985-86 company yearbook with an introduction by Michael Frith. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)