Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Idea Man: Howard Makes Rainbow Connection to Icon Jim Henson

Cinema | June 3rd, 2024

By Greg Carlson

gregcarlson1@gmail.com

A more than serviceable portrait of the beloved artist, “Jim Henson: Idea Man” debuts on Disney+ this weekend. As organized by director Ron Howard, the documentary presents a primarily chronological overview of career highlights mixed with behind-the-scenes considerations of children and marriage. While the latter component is sanitized — predictably, given the full participation and cooperation of the Henson family — Howard circles the frustrations and challenges experienced by Jane Nebel with care and sensitivity. Naturally, the most devoted fans will come in with higher expectations than the casual viewer. All, however, will thrill to Howard’s skillful assemblage of colorful and wondrous archival footage, some of it never previously shared.

In the spirit of Henson’s boundless energy and devotion to the experimental, Howard incorporates transitional and interstitial animations that evoke the vibe of shorts like the Oscar-nominated “Time Piece,” itself briefly excerpted and addressed. Newly collected on-camera interviews with Henson’s surviving children — son John died in 2014 — and a select group of key collaborators split some of the remaining space with all kinds of clips and television appearances that allow Henson to speak for himself. A certain highlight/ringer among these vintage treats is the appearance of Henson and Frank Oz on the unsold pilot of “The Orson Welles Show,” which should be the subject of its very own documentary.

It’s no shock that Frank Oz is the best of the talking heads, which include Rita Moreno as the de facto representative of “The Muppet Show” celebrity guest stars and Jennifer Connelly speaking to Henson’s fantasy film era output. While Oz has previously spoken on the singular relationship he enjoyed with Henson, “Idea Man” reminds us that together, Henson and Oz formed one of the most sublime and glorious comedy duos in the history of the business. It is, needless to say, impossible to imagine a comprehensive assessment of Henson’s life without the participation of Oz. All of Oz’s anecdotes contribute to a richer understanding of the man he deferentially describes as his boss. A few bring tears to the eyes.

Howard makes some hard cuts to maintain the right balance of major milestones, leaps of faith, and creative and commercial risks/pay-offs. Following the origin story that sees the evolution of Kermit the Frog following his earliest incarnation on WRC-TV’s “Sam and Friends” in Washington D.C., the movie covers Henson’s contributions to “Sesame Street” with a sharp sense of context. Marilyn Agrelo’s 2021 documentary “Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street,” based on the terrific book by Michael Davis, makes a fine companion for those who want more.

Interestingly, Henson’s massive capacity for busting personal boundaries and his desire to reinvent through the embrace of new technologies are arguably made most visible by Howard in the sections after the conclusion of “The Muppet Show” in 1981. Neither “The Dark Crystal” nor “Labyrinth” catapulted Henson into the same ether occupied by the most universally popular Muppets, but we are reminded of the key ways in which those movies influenced future artists. By the time Howard approaches the dreaded hour of Henson’s untimely death in 1990 at the age of 53, we are positively winded from the film’s dizzying sprint through a truly amazing body of work.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…