The Great Muppet Caper

1981
U
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

17K

YOUR RATING

Frank Oz, Charles Grodin, Jim Henson, Diana Rigg, and Dave Goelz in The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar

Play trailer0:47

1 Video

99+ Photos

Animal Adventure Caper Farce Quirky Comedy Adventure Comedy Crime Family Musical Mystery

Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy.Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy.Kermit the Frog, The Great Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

17K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 nominations total

Miss Piggy
(voice)
…

Dave Goelz

The Great Gonzo
(voice)
…

Jerry Nelson

Floyd Pepper
(voice)
…

Richard Hunt

Scooter
(voice)
…

Charles Grodin

Nicky Holiday

Diana Rigg

Lady Holiday

John Cleese

Neville

Robert Morley

British Gentleman

Peter Ustinov

Truck Driver

Jack Warden

Mike Tarkanian

Steve Whitmire

Rizzo the Rat
(voice)
…

Louise Gold

Muppet Performer
(voice)
…

Kathryn Mullen

Muppet Performer
(voice)
…

Bob Payne

Muppet Performer

Brian Meehl

Muppet Performer
(as Brian Muehl)

Mike Quinn

Muppet Performer

Robbie Barnett

Muppet Performer

‘Snow White’ Stars Test Their Wits

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9:57

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The bike riding sequence was accomplished by using a combination of radio-controlled bikes, marionette rigging, and in some cases, attaching several bikes together with rods so they could stand upright on their own. The end of the bicycle scene (where all of The Muppets are shown riding together) was done by putting all of the Muppet characters onto their bikes, hooking them together, and pulling them. Brian Henson, on an oversized tricycle, was amongst those who pulled the bikes.

Goofs
In the pool dance scene, watching the splashes of water just prior to Miss Piggy rising from the pool with lit sparklers on her head shows that the cut is being shown in reverse.

Quotes
Sam the Eagle: You are all WEIRDOS.

Crazy credits
When the final copyright credits appear, Gonzo appears under them and says "Whoa, wait, don't go home yet. Say cheese!" Gonzo then takes a picture of the whole audience and the screen goes black when he takes it because the flashbulb "blinded" the audience. After the screen goes black, Gonzo's voice is heard saying, "I'll send you each a copy."

Alternate versions
Among the audio changes from the 1993 video release onward:
In "Happiness Hotel": 1.) At the beginning, a trombone gliss is heard after Pops's first line. 2.) After Zoot mentions Animal's being upset about missing a Rembrandt exhibit, Animal shouts "Renoir!"
The song "Night Life" has lyrics; it was instrumental before.
During "Piggy's Fantasy", when the five women sing the line "happiness Miss Piggy" underwater, it was originally all gargly sounding (the way it would be underwater) but was later rearranged to sound like it would above water.
The music during the Muppets' "checklist" (whoopie cushion, rubber raft, bag of chickens, etc.) is different. In the 1993 version, it's more comical-sounding.
When Miss Piggy crashes through the window and leaps off the motorcycle, her trademark "Hi-yaaah!!!" is removed.

Connections
Edited into The Muppets Go to the Movies (1981)

Soundtracks
Hey a Movie!
Music and Lyrics by Joe Raposo
Performed by Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Charles Grodin, and Chorus

User reviews64

Featured review

10/10

Great comic shenanigans

This film is definitely a comic masterpiece. A great improvement over the earlier MUPPET MOVIE, which seemed more like a faltering first step into feature film techniques; this has a strong plot, bright characters and keen timing. It also has great support from the comic greatness of John Cleese, Joan Sanderson, Jack Warden, Robert Morley and Peter Falk.

Diana Rigg and Charles Grodin (in his best movie) manage to hold the central human characters together, up against the bright lunacy of the Muppets. Lady Holliday's expression on seeing Miss Piggy enter in her swimsuit is worth the price of admission alone!

PS: My mum just loves the bit where Kermit does up his zipper!