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Through his work, [Jim Henson] helped sustain the qualities of fancifulness, warmth and consideration that have been so threatened by our coarse, cynical age." - James Collins, Time Magazine

In conjunction with The Jim Henson Legacy and the Jane Henson Foundation, The Cinefamily pays tribute to one of the world's most inspired and innovative film and puppetry artists, Jim Henson. A visionary TV producer and a world-class puppeteer, Henson and his team created indelible, hilarious, vulnerable and crazy characters like Kermit The Frog, Bert and Ernie, the Gelflings and the Skeksis, and The Swedish Chef (one of our personal favorites), and brought a unique combination of childlike wonder and adult sophistication to their groundbreaking work. This month-long series will explore all facets of Henson's prolific output, including experimental work, rarities and some of his most beloved feature films.

7/11 @ 2pm / SERIES: Jim Henson Saturday Matinees
Muppet Music Moments
"From the silly to the sacred, Muppet music has impacted generations young and old." - MuppetCentral.com

Practically through osmosis, those who grew up with the Muppets gained a serious amount of musical education, as Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and the Muppet films all presented a world of song in a wide variety of genres, always with a sense of humor and a smile. From "Mah Nà Mah Nà" to "The Rainbow Connection", "C Is For Cookie" to the repertoire of Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem and beyond, some of the most funniest and most moving Muppets material has shone through during melodic moments--and for this evening's show, we've assembled a collection of classic music numbers interpreted as only the Muppets can. This compilation also includes performances by guest stars Harry Belafonte, Elton John, and Linda Ronstadt.

Watch Elton John and the Muppets play "Crocodile Rock"!


Tickets - $10

7/18 @ 2pm / SERIES: Jim Henson Saturday Matinees
A Better World: Living In Harmony
Right from the start, the Muppetverse has been a peaceful place, enriching our sense of self using lighthearted allegory without ever being preachy or moralistic. A Better World starts with a Henson-directed episode of the beloved '80s HBO series Fraggle Rock, which contrasts three communities—the musical Fraggles, the industrious Doozers, and the giant Gorgs, who all co-exist in a carefully balanced underground world—with those mysterious creatures who live above ground, the humans. Despite their differences, the groups are interdependent, demonstrating the ideal of harmony and peace in the world. The episode is followed by The Song of the Cloud Forest, a 1989 special that originally appeared as part of "The Jim Henson Hour". The film features Henson's trademark seamless blend of music, puppetry and animation, resulting in a vibrant landscape of color that echoes the natural beauty found in the real world's rainforest.

Watch the song "Children of Tomorrow" from "Fraggle Rock"!


Tickets - $10

7/25 @ 2pm / SERIES: Jim Henson Saturday Matinees
The Art of Puppetry and Storytelling
For decades, Jim Henson and his crew evolved the craft of puppeteering, continually elevating it to new heights. This program takes you through the Henson gang's wide-ranging arsenal of technique, in a two-hour compilation of rare footage and old favorites. Highlights include a classic episode of The Muppet Show from 1979, directed by Philip Casson. In one of the episode's special moments, Harry Belafonte sings an African song with puppets derived from traditional masks. Another kind of puppetry is used in The Storyteller: The Heartless Giant (1989), directed by Henson and written by Anthony Minghella. In this episode of the remarkable TV series based on classic folk tales, an evil giant—who has hidden his heart so he will feel no emotion—tricks young prince Leo into releasing him from his dungeon. Consumed with guilt, Leo searches for the heart and learns about friendship and betrayal, in one of Henson's most heartwrenching productions.

Watch a clip from the "Heartless Giant" episode of "The Storyteller"!


Tickets - $10

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