Jim Henson: Behind the Seams

A documentary about Caroll Spinney who has been Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since 1969. At 78-years-old, he has no intention of stopping.

Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most influential children's show in television history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed the world.

Documentary directed by Philippe Genty, based on footage shot in various countries during his Alexander Expedition, carried out as part of UNESCO’s Major Project Orient–Occident. The film presents a variety of puppet styles, including Indonesian shadow puppets, puppets from northern India, masked theatre from Eastern Europe, rod puppets from Bucharest, experimental puppets from Poland, and Japanese bunraku. It also features puppets from Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, and the Bread and Puppet Theatre from Harlem. The film additionally includes short excerpts from the early Muppets by Bill Baird and Jim Henson.

While the Muppets prepare a tribute to the late Jim Henson, they learn about the life and career of the renowned puppeteer/film maker.

In 1992, an independent South African puppetry group, the African Research and Educational Puppetry Program, were invited by OXFAM (Canada) to bring their highly successful educational program 'Puppets Against Aids' to tour rural and regional Canada for twelve weeks. This is the one-hour documentary that was produced from their Canadian Tour.

The Puppeteer is a powerful, moving glimpse into the art of puppetry and the passion of a brilliant artist. The film treats viewers to Igor's street corner magic and following a dramatic turn of events, leaves us to reflect on life, art and the pursuit of dreams.

Puppeteer Chen Hsi-huang establishes his own troupe and moves out from under the shadow of his father, the legendary Li Tien-lu.

Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.

The program follows the Muppets from their origins in Sam & Friends on local television through commercials, guest appearances, clips from the pilots for The Muppet Show, rare promos, and much more. This compilation, co-curated by late Muppets head writer Jerry Juhl, has been a centerpiece of “Muppets, Music & Magic” since it's premiere presentation in 2004 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Music was always an integral part of The Muppet Show, and assembled here is a collection of some of the classic music numbers interpreted as only the Muppets can. This compilation features a wide range of musical genres, including performances by guest stars Harry Belafonte, Elton John, and Linda Ronstadt.

Sure we’re interested in Jim Henson’s work as a filmmaker and creative innovator, but his brilliant talents as a performer are often overlooked. As a puppeteer, he created such indelible characters as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Ernie, and the Swedish Chef. This compilation illuminates the development and evolution of these classic characters – and many more.

A collection of Jim Henson's commercials, industrial reels, short films and some related talk show appearances. Includes Henson's Oscar nominated short, "Time Piece," in its entirety. Part of the Jim Henson Legacy's "Muppets, Music & Magic" program that debuted at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2004.