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* PieInTheFace: Variation: Doc Hopper's car gets a giant pie in the windshield! (See ThisBillboardNeedsSomeSalt below.)
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* ThisBillboardNeedsSomeSalt: Aunt Amy's Custard Pies.
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* ThisBillboardNeedsSomeSalt: One for Aunt Amy's Custard Pies.Pies has an actual, giant custard pie on it, and it inadvertently brings both Gonzo's {{Balloonacy}} escapade and Doc Hopper's latest attempt to get Kermit to an end: Fozzie's car hits the billboard, and this sends the pie flying onto Hopper's car. Hopper accidentally fires his shotgun into the air when that happens, which bursts the balloons and causes Gonzo to come back down to Earth. As Hopper rants over his latest defeat, Max enjoys some pie.
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* OnlyInItForTheMoney: After Max's HeelRealization, he only continues to serve Doc Hopper because Hopper had offered to double his percentage. However, when the Frog Killer is hired, [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere not even money will keep him attached to Hopper, and he flags down the Muppets while disguised as a motorcycle cop simply to warn them about Hopper's plans]].
to:
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: After Max's HeelRealization, he only continues to serve Doc Hopper because Hopper had offered offers to double his percentage.salary. However, when the Frog Killer is hired, [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere not even money will keep him attached to Hopper, and he flags down the Muppets while disguised as a motorcycle cop simply to warn them about Hopper's plans]].
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* HonestJohnsDealership: Mad Man Mooney
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* HonestJohnsDealership: Mad Man MooneyMooney.
Changed line(s) 108 (click to see context) from:
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: After Max's HeelRealization, he only continues to serve Doc Hopper because Hopper had offered to double his salary. However, when the Frog Killer is hired, [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere not even money will keep him attached to Hopper, and he flags down the Muppets while disguised as a motorcycle cop simply to warn them about Hopper's plans]].
to:
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: After Max's HeelRealization, he only continues to serve Doc Hopper because Hopper had offered to double his salary.percentage. However, when the Frog Killer is hired, [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere not even money will keep him attached to Hopper, and he flags down the Muppets while disguised as a motorcycle cop simply to warn them about Hopper's plans]].
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* PunnyName: Prof. ''Krass''man. Appropriately, a crass comment he makes to Miss Piggy leads to his downfall.
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Changed line(s) 66,67 (click to see context) from:
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Gonzo mentioned that he wants to move to Bombay to become a movie star. He'd later follow up on this in season four of ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have been entire random]].
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have been entire random]].
to:
* FollowThatCar: In this movie, this command's bound to go awry...
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' Follow that frog!
-->[Max drives off]
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' MAX!!!!!
-->[Max backs up]
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' Follow that frog ''with me in the car!''
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Gonzomentioned mentions that he wants to move to Bombay Bombay, India to become a movie star. He'd later He'll follow up on this in season four Season Four of ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.
''Series/TheMuppetShow'', which aired after the film's release.
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have beenentire entirely random]].
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' Follow that frog!
-->[Max drives off]
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' MAX!!!!!
-->[Max backs up]
-->'''Doc Hopper:''' Follow that frog ''with me in the car!''
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Gonzo
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have been
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* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs". Kermit is fully aware of the inherent horror of this trope, however.
to:
* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs". Kermit is fully aware of the inherent horror of this trope, however. ("All I can see are millions of frogs with tiny crutches.")
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* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs".
to:
* KitschyLocalCommercial: Doc Hopper shows Kermit the current advertisement for his restaurants when he first tries to talk him into becoming a spokesfrog -- it features Hopper in a goofy frog suit performing a song about the varieties of french-fried frog legs available.
* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs". Kermit is fully aware of the inherent horror of this trope, however.
* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs". Kermit is fully aware of the inherent horror of this trope, however.
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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption
to:
* AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruptionAstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption: Piggy wants Kermit to whisper sweet nothings in her ear.
-->'''Kermit:''' Um... motorcycle cop.
-->'''Piggy:''' "Motorcycle cop" is a sweet nothing?
-->'''Kermit:''' A motorcycle cop is chasing us!
-->'''Kermit:''' Um... motorcycle cop.
-->'''Piggy:''' "Motorcycle cop" is a sweet nothing?
-->'''Kermit:''' A motorcycle cop is chasing us!
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* RuleOfThree: "Lost? Have you tried the Reverend Hare Krishna?" (See RunningGag below.)
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* OnlyInItForTheMoney: After Max's HeelRealization, he only continues to serve Doc Hopper because Hopper had offered to double his salary. However, when the Frog Killer is hired, [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere not even money will keep him attached to Hopper, and he flags down the Muppets while disguised as a motorcycle cop simply to warn them about Hopper's plans]].
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** Dr. Teeth almost pushes it by referring to the incoming motorcycle cop (actually Max in disguise) as a "P, I...", but luckily Miss Piggy manages to cut him off successfully before he can get to the "G" by snarling, "DON'T... YOU... DARE."
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Changed line(s) 53,54 (click to see context) from:
---> '''Fozzie:''' I don't know how to thank you guys!
---> '''Kermit:''' I don't know ''why'' to thank you guys.
---> '''Kermit:''' I don't know ''why'' to thank you guys.
to:
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* DeadpanSnarker: Kermit has his moments.
---> '''Fozzie:''' I don't know how to thank you guys!
---> '''Kermit:''' I don't know ''why'' to thank you guys.
---> '''Fozzie:''' I don't know how to thank you guys!
---> '''Kermit:''' I don't know ''why'' to thank you guys.
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*** The tough guy that tosses Fozzie at the El Sleezo bartender was played by Fozzie's own puppeteer, Frank Oz.
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Changed line(s) 91 (click to see context) from:
* NumberOfTheBeast: Visible on the digital readout on Prof. Krassman's torture device.
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* NumberOfTheBeast: Visible on the digital readout on Prof. Krassman's torture device.mind-melting machine.
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* NumberOfTheBeast: Visible on the digital readout on Prof. Krassman's torture device.
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* WhatsAHenway: "Gonzo! What are you doing?" "About seven knots!"
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Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* BerserkButton: Prof. Krassman learns the hard way that you ''never'' threaten Kermit in front of Miss Piggy:
to:
* BerserkButton: Prof. Krassman learns the hard way that you ''never'' threaten Kermit in front pushes two of Miss Piggy:Piggy's at the same time - threatening Kermit, and pig/pork jokes. It doesn't go well for him.
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** Possibly also pressing Piggy's other BerserkButton--pig/pork jokes.
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Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* CoincidentalAccidentalDisguise: Fozzie's newly painted car in front of the billboard.
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** Also, Bunsen's insta-grow pills.
* CoincidentalAccidentalDisguise: Fozzie's newly painted car in front ofthe a billboard.
* CoincidentalAccidentalDisguise: Fozzie's newly painted car in front of
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* CreatorCameo: James Frawley, the director, is the El Sleezo waiter.
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* CreatorCameo: James Frawley, the director, is the waiter at the El Sleezo waiter.Cafe.
Deleted line(s) 51 (click to see context) :
* DeusExMachina: Animal + Super Growth Pills = Impasse Resolved.
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Changed line(s) 38,41 (click to see context) from:
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Creator/DomDeLuise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and Creator/OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
** You forgot BobHope selling ice cream cones.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
* {{Callback}}: The scene where Kermit over-enunciates "Al-li-gat-ors" to Dom Deluise is a callback to a scene in ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', said by Piggy.
** You forgot BobHope selling ice cream cones.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
* {{Callback}}: The scene where Kermit over-enunciates "Al-li-gat-ors" to Dom Deluise is a callback to a scene in ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', said by Piggy.
to:
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Creator/DomDeLuise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' owner), BobHope sells ice cream cones, and Creator/OrsonWelles Cloris Leachman is secretary to Creator/OrsonWelles, who gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract.contract. Plus Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves. Tada!
** You forgot BobHope selling ice cream cones.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
* {{Callback}}: The scene where Kermit over-enunciates "Al-li-gat-ors" to Dom Deluise [=DeLuise=] is a callback to a scene in ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', said by Piggy.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
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* IWantSong: "The Rainbow Connection," also something of an EarWorm.
to:
* IWantSong: "The Rainbow Connection," Connection", also something of an EarWorm.
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* NoFourthWall
** Perhaps the best example is Kermit and Fozzie explaining their story to the Electric Mayhem by ''giving them a copy of the movie script''. The band later saves Kermit and company from the desert, having found them by referring to the script they left behind.
** Perhaps the best example is Kermit and Fozzie explaining their story to the Electric Mayhem by ''giving them a copy of the movie script''. The band later saves Kermit and company from the desert, having found them by referring to the script they left behind.
to:
* NoFourthWall
**NoFourthWall: Perhaps the best example is Kermit and Fozzie explaining their story to the Electric Mayhem by ''giving them a copy of the movie script''. The band later saves Kermit and company from the desert, having found them by referring to the script they left behind.
**
Changed line(s) 121 (click to see context) from:
* SettingOffSong: "Movin' Right Along." The first few bars get replayed when they drive off anywhere. Just to drill it into your head further.
to:
* SettingOffSong: "Movin' Right Along." Along". The first few bars get replayed when they drive off anywhere. Just to drill it into your head further.
Changed line(s) 125 (click to see context) from:
** Kermit to Piggy: "[[GoneWithTheWind Frankly, Miss Piggy, I don't give a hoot.]]" Doubles as a reference to Woodsey Owl.[[hottip:*:"Give a hoot, don't pollute"]]
to:
** Kermit to Piggy: "[[GoneWithTheWind Frankly, Miss Piggy, I don't give a hoot.]]" Doubles as a reference to Woodsey Owl.[[hottip:*:"Give [[note]]"Give a hoot, don't pollute"]]pollute"[[/note]]
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* ReadingAheadInTheScript: The Electric Mayhem come to rescue Kermit and the others when they get stranded in the desert. How did they knew they were there? [[CallBack They read it in the script Kermit had given them earlier.]]
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Changed line(s) 37,38 (click to see context) from:
* TheCameo: Dozens of them, mostly human, though at one point Kermit and Fozzie run into Big Bird, who tells them, "I'm on my way to New York City, [[HeroOfAnotherStory to try and break into]] [[SesameStreet public television]]."
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Dom Deluise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Dom Deluise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
to:
* TheCameo: Dozens of them, mostly human, though at one point Kermit and Fozzie run into Big Bird, who tells them, "I'm on my way to New York City, UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity, [[HeroOfAnotherStory to try and break into]] [[SesameStreet [[Series/SesameStreet public television]]."
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist,Dom Deluise Creator/DomDeLuise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and OrsonWelles Creator/OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist,
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* StockAnimalDiet: At the County Fair, Fozzie goes to BobHope to get ice cream. He orders a cone of honey flavor for himself, and a cone of "Dragonfly Ripple" for Kermit.
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Changed line(s) 110 (click to see context) from:
** Yes?
to:
** Yes?Yeth?
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* WrongTurnAtAlbequerque: "Movin' Right Along" is one long RunningGag about how terribly lost Kermit and Fozzie get on their drive to California.
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* WrongTurnAtAlbequerque: WrongTurnAtAlbuquerque: "Movin' Right Along" is one long RunningGag about how terribly lost Kermit and Fozzie get on their drive to California.
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* WrongTurnAtAlbequerque: "Movin' Right Along" is one long RunningGag about how terribly lost Kermit and Fozzie get on their drive to California.
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Changed line(s) 58 (click to see context) from:
** [[DontExplainTheJoke For those that don't get it,]] his job is moving cars around at Mad Man Mooney's... which he does by lifting them up by the bumper.
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** [[DontExplainTheJoke For those that don't get it,]] it, his job is moving cars around at Mad Man Mooney's... which he does by lifting them up by the bumper.
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* WhoIsDriving: Neither Kermit nor Fozzie, it seems.
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_amsel_muppetmovie_4078.jpg]]
->'''Robin:''' ''Uncle Kermit, is this how the Muppets really got started?''\\
'''Kermit:''' ''Well, it's sort of approximately how it happened.''
In the summer of 1979, JimHenson brought his beloved characters from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to the big screen to tell their story. After a very meta ColdOpening where we see the Muppets attending a private screening of their own film, we see how Kermit was inspired to leave his home in the swamp and head to Hollywood.
Along the way, he picks up a familiar assortment of friends: Fozzie Bear, a struggling ursine comedian; The Great Gonzo, "prince of plumbing" turned would-be actor; Miss Piggy, self-proclaimed "actress/model"; Rowlf the piano-playing dog; the eccentric inventors Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker; and the psychedelic Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and their road manager Scooter. Unfortunately, Kermit also attracts the attention of Doc Hopper, an unscrupulous restaurateur who's dead set on getting Kermit as a spokes-frog for his fried frog-legs stands. Throw in some catchy musical numbers by PaulWilliams and an assortment of celebrity cameos, and you've got the makings of a much-loved movie.
To date, ''The Muppet Movie'' remains the most profitable and highest grossing (accounting for inflation) live-action children's film in history.
Not to be confused with the 2011 movie ''Film/TheMuppets'' (though that one's technically a sequel of sorts).
----
!!This film features examples of:
* ActorAllusion: One for Creator/MelBrooks: he has his profession written on the back of his suit, which he's done in many of his films before (''Film/BlazingSaddles'') and since.
* AllStarCast: Between the Muppets themselves and all the cameos...
** Including, behind the scenes, TimBurton and John Landis, who were amongst the numerous people called in to operate the Muppets for the final number.
* AsideComment: A few.
-->'''Kermit:''' ''(to camera)'' Good grief, it's a RunningGag.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption
* [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever Attack of the Fifty Foot Animal]]: After he eats Bunsen's growth pills.
* AuthorAvatar: Kermit's journey from Mississippi to show biz is an allegory for Henson's career. Doesn't hurt Henson plays Kermit, too.
* BadGuyBar: "El Sleezo Cafe"
* {{Balloonacy}}: Happens to Gonzo at one point.
* BerserkButton: Prof. Krassman learns the hard way that you ''never'' threaten Kermit in front of Miss Piggy:
-->'''Prof. Krassman:''' Say goodbye to the frog, pig!
-->'''Miss Piggy:''' Why should I?
-->'''Prof. Krassman:''' Because in sixty seconds, he won't know you from kosher bacon!
-->'''Miss Piggy:''' '''THAT DOES IT!''' [[IKnowKarate HIIIIIII-YAAAAAAAAH!]]
** Possibly also pressing Piggy's other BerserkButton--pig/pork jokes.
* BetweenMyLegs: Seen during the showdown.
* BootstrappedTheme: "The Rainbow Connection" has become the unofficially official theme for the Muppets in general.
* BrickJoke:
** Sweetums ''finally'' catches up to Kermit and the gang at the end...by bursting through the screen of the theater.
** Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem finding the gang by reading the screenplay they gave them.
* TheCameo: Dozens of them, mostly human, though at one point Kermit and Fozzie run into Big Bird, who tells them, "I'm on my way to New York City, [[HeroOfAnotherStory to try and break into]] [[SesameStreet public television]]."
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Dom Deluise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
** You forgot BobHope selling ice cream cones.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
* {{Callback}}: The scene where Kermit over-enunciates "Al-li-gat-ors" to Dom Deluise is a callback to a scene in ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', said by Piggy.
* CaptivityHarmonica: Rowlf in the campfire scene.
* ChekhovsGun: Who knew The Electric Mayhem would have ''kept'' that copy of the screenplay?
* CoincidentalAccidentalDisguise: Fozzie's newly painted car in front of the billboard.
* CoolCar: Fozzie's 1951 Studebaker, which is now in the Studebaker National Museum collection.
** Also the 1946 Ford "woodie" station wagon that they buy from Mad Man Mooney.
** For that matter, the Electric Mayhem's tour bus.
* ContrivedCoincidence: The gang stumbles upon Miss Piggy hitchhiking in the desert.
--> '''Miss Piggy''': What an unbelieveable coincidence!
* CreatorCameo: James Frawley, the director, is the El Sleezo waiter.
** Paul Williams, who wrote "The Rainbow Connection" and all the other songs, is El Sleezo's piano player.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Miss Piggy, though she's really a moron only around Kermit.
* DeusExMachina: Animal + Super Growth Pills = Impasse Resolved.
* DirectionlessDriver: Fozzie's route from Louisiana to California goes through Rhode Island and Saskatchewan.
* DumbAndDrummer: Animal is portrayed this way.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Sweetums is only known in the movie as "Jack."
-->"Jack not name. [[IncrediblyLamePun Jack job!"]]
** [[DontExplainTheJoke For those that don't get it,]] his job is moving cars around at Mad Man Mooney's... which he does by lifting them up by the bumper.
* {{Expy}}: Lew Lord (OrsonWelles) is Lew Grade, who gave Henson his big break, and shepherded his career (and [[PunnyName actually was a Lord]]).
* FatSweatySouthernerInAWhiteSuit: Doc Hopper, since he's sort of an evil CaptainErsatz of Colonel Sanders.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Gonzo mentioned that he wants to move to Bombay to become a movie star. He'd later follow up on this in season four of ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have been entire random]].
* FramingDevice: The Muppets attending the premiere of the movie, making the main movie a ShowWithinAShow. The film even breaks at one point.
** "Huernder hinder flip-flip-flip-flip-flip!"
** Fortunately, "der flim is okey-dokey".
* GirlishPigtails: Miss Piggy wears some for part of the movie. [[StealthPun Get it]]?
* GhostTown: Where they find Bunsen and Beaker.
* HeelFaceTurn: Max, Doc Hopper's nerdy right hand man. When Hopper hires the deadly professional frog killer to take Kermit down, Max realizes just what kind of guy he's been working for, and dresses as a cop in order to pull over the Muppet bus and warn them.
* HerrDoctor: Prof. Krassman. Definitely of the MadScientist variety.
* HilariousOuttakes: While technically not outtakes as such (as they were never intended to be part of the finished film), the footage shot by director James Frawley to test the cameras while setting up at exterior locations includes some wonderful ad-lib work by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Watch it [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLGkux56Ar0 here]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcMP90xT0sQ here]].
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Krassman gets stuck in the mind-melting machine and starts blurting, "Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!"
* HonestJohnsDealership: Mad Man Mooney
* IWantSong: "The Rainbow Connection," also something of an EarWorm.
** Also "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday".
* IncrediblyLamePun: A hurricane of them - and winkingly at the audience too.
-->'''Kermit:''' ''(on the oft-used Hare Krishna gag)'' Good grief, it's a RunningGag.
* ItsAllMyFault: Kermit when his group is stranded in the desert.
* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs".
* LiteralMetaphor
--> "I hear this movie is dynamite."
--> '''BOOM'''
** Fork in the road, start with a bang, drinks on the house--it's a RunningGag.
* LoveAtFirstSight: When Miss Piggy meets Kermit (and even follows it up with a romantic montage!)
--> '''Piggy (singing)''': "Never before! And never again!..."
* TheManInTheMirrorTalksBack: Kermit's inner self literally appears to help him with a moral crisis.
* TheMessiah: Kermit. He not only wants to make people happy (a goal shared by his friends), but he also had this to say to Doc Hopper:
--> '''Kermit:''' I don't think you're a bad man, Doc. But I think if you look in your heart, you'll find you really want to let me and my friends go... to follow our dream. But, if that's not the kind of man you are, and what I'm saying doesn't make any sense to you... well, then, go ahead and kill me.
** Subverted to a point, in that Doc Hopper's response is to give the kill order.
* MinionWithAnFInEvil: Max.
* NoFourthWall
** Perhaps the best example is Kermit and Fozzie explaining their story to the Electric Mayhem by ''giving them a copy of the movie script''. The band later saves Kermit and company from the desert, having found them by referring to the script they left behind.
--> '''Dr. Teeth''': See, "Exterior, desert, night". We knew right where you were!
* NotActuallyTheUltimateQuestion: "Have you tried Hare Krishna?"
* NotHyperbole: "When a German scientist tells you to hold onto your hat, it's not casual conversation. Hold on to your hat! Hat! Hold!"
* OldFashionedRowboatDate: In an ImagineSpot, Miss Piggy pictures herself doing this with Kermit.
* OriginsEpisode
* OverlyNarrowSuperlative: "One of the finest wines of Idaho."
* ParentalBonus: Some of the jokes are way obscure, though the outside is usually funny enough.
-->'''Gonzo:''' I always wanted to go to [[{{Bollywood}} Bombay, India]], and become a movie star.
-->'''Fozzie:''' You don't go to Bombay to become a movie star. You go where we're going, Hollywood!
-->'''Gonzo:''' Sure, if you want to do it the ''easy'' way.
** For that matter, most of the pop culture references may be too far out of date for some viewers to get them today.
* PerfectlyCromulentWord: "It is indeed a problem for us to ''probosculate'' upon!"
* ThePianoPlayer: Paul Williams, his own self.
* RealitySubtext: Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] made their last appearance in the film - Henson was inspired to make the Muppets because of him. Bergen died not long after his scene was shot, and the film is dedicated to him.
* RetCon: Scooter and the band had different and unconnected origin stories in the first seasons of the series, but are now shown as being a single unit before the show got together. (Handwaved by Kermit to Robin in the opening. "Well, it's sort of ''approximately'' how it happened.")
* RoadMovie
* ARoundOfDrinksForTheHouse: Fozzie defuses a BarBrawl by impersonating the bartender and shouting "Drinks are on the house!" Of course, this being the Muppets, this causes all of the brawlers to race to the roof of the bar where they [[LiteralMinded look futilely for the drinks.]]
* RunningGag: "Have you tried Hare Krishna?" Also, the "Myth! Myth!" thing.
** Yes?
** Kermit has a classic LampshadeHanging referring (in disgust) to the Hare Krishna bit... "Good grief, it's a running gag."
** Don't forget Sweetums pursuing the gang...which also turns into something of a BrickJoke.
*** Not to mention Gonzo landing on Kermit's car.
---> '''Gonzo:''' I'm back!
---> '''Miss Piggy:''' I don't understand any of this.
*** At the end, Sweetums literally bursts through the movie screen and joyfully shouts, "I just KNEW I'd find you guys!"
* ScenicRoute: What we see as Fozzie sings "America the Beautiful".
--> '''Kermit:''' This is the patriotic part.\\
'''Robin:''' Should we stand up?
* SettingOffSong: "Movin' Right Along." The first few bars get replayed when they drive off anywhere. Just to drill it into your head further.
--> '''Kermit:''' Move it right along Fozzie.
* ServileSnarker: SteveMartin, in yet another cameo, as an extremely rude waiter.
* ShoutOut:
** Kermit to Piggy: "[[GoneWithTheWind Frankly, Miss Piggy, I don't give a hoot.]]" Doubles as a reference to Woodsey Owl.[[hottip:*:"Give a hoot, don't pollute"]]
* TalkingToHimself: One of the benefits of this and the other feature films was the opportunity it afforded for characters like Jim Henson's Kermit and Rowlf, Frank Oz's Piggy and Fozzie, etc., to interact in a way that wasn't always technically feasible on television.
* TalkingToThemself: Kermit literally talks with another version of himself in the desert scene.
* ThereIsAnother: In this case, many others. For the finale, ''two hundred and fifty Muppets'', all preexisting, appear. As mentioned above, a whole bunch of extra people (including Tim Burton and John Landis) had to be called in to operate all of them.
* ThisBillboardNeedsSomeSalt: Aunt Amy's Custard Pies.
* TriumphantReprise: "The lovers, the dreamers, and '''''you'''''."
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: Within the film itself; see the page quote.
* VisualPun: Kermit tells Fozzie to turn left at the fork in the road. Sure enough... a giant fork is stuck in the road like a landmark.
--> '''Kermit:''' I don't believe that.
* WallpaperCamouflage: With ''a car!''
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: [[http://www.toughpigs.com/anthmovie01.htm Visit here for an analysis on a draft script]], but the biggest one to note is the recurring appearance of '''Henry Kissinger''', whose entire schtick is that he's not cast in the movie, not even for the Framing Device. Hilarious in Hindsight again?
* YouAreWorthHell: When Kermit and Miss Piggy are being held captive by Doc Hopper's minions and the mad scientist who is preparing to give him what amounts to a new form of lobotomy, Miss Piggy plays this straight then Kermit subverts it:
--> '''Miss Piggy''': Whatever happens next, I wouldn't trade this night for anything. Would you?
--> '''Kermit''': Make me an offer.
----
->'''Robin:''' ''Uncle Kermit, is this how the Muppets really got started?''\\
'''Kermit:''' ''Well, it's sort of approximately how it happened.''
In the summer of 1979, JimHenson brought his beloved characters from ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' to the big screen to tell their story. After a very meta ColdOpening where we see the Muppets attending a private screening of their own film, we see how Kermit was inspired to leave his home in the swamp and head to Hollywood.
Along the way, he picks up a familiar assortment of friends: Fozzie Bear, a struggling ursine comedian; The Great Gonzo, "prince of plumbing" turned would-be actor; Miss Piggy, self-proclaimed "actress/model"; Rowlf the piano-playing dog; the eccentric inventors Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker; and the psychedelic Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and their road manager Scooter. Unfortunately, Kermit also attracts the attention of Doc Hopper, an unscrupulous restaurateur who's dead set on getting Kermit as a spokes-frog for his fried frog-legs stands. Throw in some catchy musical numbers by PaulWilliams and an assortment of celebrity cameos, and you've got the makings of a much-loved movie.
To date, ''The Muppet Movie'' remains the most profitable and highest grossing (accounting for inflation) live-action children's film in history.
Not to be confused with the 2011 movie ''Film/TheMuppets'' (though that one's technically a sequel of sorts).
----
!!This film features examples of:
* ActorAllusion: One for Creator/MelBrooks: he has his profession written on the back of his suit, which he's done in many of his films before (''Film/BlazingSaddles'') and since.
* AllStarCast: Between the Muppets themselves and all the cameos...
** Including, behind the scenes, TimBurton and John Landis, who were amongst the numerous people called in to operate the Muppets for the final number.
* AsideComment: A few.
-->'''Kermit:''' ''(to camera)'' Good grief, it's a RunningGag.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption
* [[AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever Attack of the Fifty Foot Animal]]: After he eats Bunsen's growth pills.
* AuthorAvatar: Kermit's journey from Mississippi to show biz is an allegory for Henson's career. Doesn't hurt Henson plays Kermit, too.
* BadGuyBar: "El Sleezo Cafe"
* {{Balloonacy}}: Happens to Gonzo at one point.
* BerserkButton: Prof. Krassman learns the hard way that you ''never'' threaten Kermit in front of Miss Piggy:
-->'''Prof. Krassman:''' Say goodbye to the frog, pig!
-->'''Miss Piggy:''' Why should I?
-->'''Prof. Krassman:''' Because in sixty seconds, he won't know you from kosher bacon!
-->'''Miss Piggy:''' '''THAT DOES IT!''' [[IKnowKarate HIIIIIII-YAAAAAAAAH!]]
** Possibly also pressing Piggy's other BerserkButton--pig/pork jokes.
* BetweenMyLegs: Seen during the showdown.
* BootstrappedTheme: "The Rainbow Connection" has become the unofficially official theme for the Muppets in general.
* BrickJoke:
** Sweetums ''finally'' catches up to Kermit and the gang at the end...by bursting through the screen of the theater.
** Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem finding the gang by reading the screenplay they gave them.
* TheCameo: Dozens of them, mostly human, though at one point Kermit and Fozzie run into Big Bird, who tells them, "I'm on my way to New York City, [[HeroOfAnotherStory to try and break into]] [[SesameStreet public television]]."
** All right, let's see... SteveMartin is serving wine, Elliot Gould is a beauty contest emcee, RichardPryor is selling balloons, Milton Berle is a used car salesman, Carol Kane keeps showing up when someone says "Myth", Creator/MelBrooks is a mad scientist, Dom Deluise is chased by an alligator, Madeline Kahn is a patron at The El Sleezo Cafe with Telly Savalas as her boyfriend (and where James Coburn is the owner)' and OrsonWelles gives The Muppets the standard 'Rich & Famous' contract. Tada!
** You forgot BobHope selling ice cream cones.
** Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] as themselves.
* {{Callback}}: The scene where Kermit over-enunciates "Al-li-gat-ors" to Dom Deluise is a callback to a scene in ''Series/TheMuppetShow'', said by Piggy.
* CaptivityHarmonica: Rowlf in the campfire scene.
* ChekhovsGun: Who knew The Electric Mayhem would have ''kept'' that copy of the screenplay?
* CoincidentalAccidentalDisguise: Fozzie's newly painted car in front of the billboard.
* CoolCar: Fozzie's 1951 Studebaker, which is now in the Studebaker National Museum collection.
** Also the 1946 Ford "woodie" station wagon that they buy from Mad Man Mooney.
** For that matter, the Electric Mayhem's tour bus.
* ContrivedCoincidence: The gang stumbles upon Miss Piggy hitchhiking in the desert.
--> '''Miss Piggy''': What an unbelieveable coincidence!
* CreatorCameo: James Frawley, the director, is the El Sleezo waiter.
** Paul Williams, who wrote "The Rainbow Connection" and all the other songs, is El Sleezo's piano player.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Miss Piggy, though she's really a moron only around Kermit.
* DeusExMachina: Animal + Super Growth Pills = Impasse Resolved.
* DirectionlessDriver: Fozzie's route from Louisiana to California goes through Rhode Island and Saskatchewan.
* DumbAndDrummer: Animal is portrayed this way.
* EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep: Sweetums is only known in the movie as "Jack."
-->"Jack not name. [[IncrediblyLamePun Jack job!"]]
** [[DontExplainTheJoke For those that don't get it,]] his job is moving cars around at Mad Man Mooney's... which he does by lifting them up by the bumper.
* {{Expy}}: Lew Lord (OrsonWelles) is Lew Grade, who gave Henson his big break, and shepherded his career (and [[PunnyName actually was a Lord]]).
* FatSweatySouthernerInAWhiteSuit: Doc Hopper, since he's sort of an evil CaptainErsatz of Colonel Sanders.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Gonzo mentioned that he wants to move to Bombay to become a movie star. He'd later follow up on this in season four of ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.
** While the other Muppets try to explain to Gonzo that one goes to ''Hollywood'' to become a movie star, Bombay (now Mumbai) was then and is now the center of the massive Bollywood industry, meaning that [[TheCuckoolanderWasRight Gonzo may not have been entire random]].
* FramingDevice: The Muppets attending the premiere of the movie, making the main movie a ShowWithinAShow. The film even breaks at one point.
** "Huernder hinder flip-flip-flip-flip-flip!"
** Fortunately, "der flim is okey-dokey".
* GirlishPigtails: Miss Piggy wears some for part of the movie. [[StealthPun Get it]]?
* GhostTown: Where they find Bunsen and Beaker.
* HeelFaceTurn: Max, Doc Hopper's nerdy right hand man. When Hopper hires the deadly professional frog killer to take Kermit down, Max realizes just what kind of guy he's been working for, and dresses as a cop in order to pull over the Muppet bus and warn them.
* HerrDoctor: Prof. Krassman. Definitely of the MadScientist variety.
* HilariousOuttakes: While technically not outtakes as such (as they were never intended to be part of the finished film), the footage shot by director James Frawley to test the cameras while setting up at exterior locations includes some wonderful ad-lib work by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Watch it [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLGkux56Ar0 here]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcMP90xT0sQ here]].
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Krassman gets stuck in the mind-melting machine and starts blurting, "Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!"
* HonestJohnsDealership: Mad Man Mooney
* IWantSong: "The Rainbow Connection," also something of an EarWorm.
** Also "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday".
* IncrediblyLamePun: A hurricane of them - and winkingly at the audience too.
-->'''Kermit:''' ''(on the oft-used Hare Krishna gag)'' Good grief, it's a RunningGag.
* ItsAllMyFault: Kermit when his group is stranded in the desert.
* LetsMeetTheMeat: Doc Hopper's proposal for Kermit to advertise for "Hopper's French-Fried Frog Legs".
* LiteralMetaphor
--> "I hear this movie is dynamite."
--> '''BOOM'''
** Fork in the road, start with a bang, drinks on the house--it's a RunningGag.
* LoveAtFirstSight: When Miss Piggy meets Kermit (and even follows it up with a romantic montage!)
--> '''Piggy (singing)''': "Never before! And never again!..."
* TheManInTheMirrorTalksBack: Kermit's inner self literally appears to help him with a moral crisis.
* TheMessiah: Kermit. He not only wants to make people happy (a goal shared by his friends), but he also had this to say to Doc Hopper:
--> '''Kermit:''' I don't think you're a bad man, Doc. But I think if you look in your heart, you'll find you really want to let me and my friends go... to follow our dream. But, if that's not the kind of man you are, and what I'm saying doesn't make any sense to you... well, then, go ahead and kill me.
** Subverted to a point, in that Doc Hopper's response is to give the kill order.
* MinionWithAnFInEvil: Max.
* NoFourthWall
** Perhaps the best example is Kermit and Fozzie explaining their story to the Electric Mayhem by ''giving them a copy of the movie script''. The band later saves Kermit and company from the desert, having found them by referring to the script they left behind.
--> '''Dr. Teeth''': See, "Exterior, desert, night". We knew right where you were!
* NotActuallyTheUltimateQuestion: "Have you tried Hare Krishna?"
* NotHyperbole: "When a German scientist tells you to hold onto your hat, it's not casual conversation. Hold on to your hat! Hat! Hold!"
* OldFashionedRowboatDate: In an ImagineSpot, Miss Piggy pictures herself doing this with Kermit.
* OriginsEpisode
* OverlyNarrowSuperlative: "One of the finest wines of Idaho."
* ParentalBonus: Some of the jokes are way obscure, though the outside is usually funny enough.
-->'''Gonzo:''' I always wanted to go to [[{{Bollywood}} Bombay, India]], and become a movie star.
-->'''Fozzie:''' You don't go to Bombay to become a movie star. You go where we're going, Hollywood!
-->'''Gonzo:''' Sure, if you want to do it the ''easy'' way.
** For that matter, most of the pop culture references may be too far out of date for some viewers to get them today.
* PerfectlyCromulentWord: "It is indeed a problem for us to ''probosculate'' upon!"
* ThePianoPlayer: Paul Williams, his own self.
* RealitySubtext: Edgar Bergen and Charlie [=McCarthy=] made their last appearance in the film - Henson was inspired to make the Muppets because of him. Bergen died not long after his scene was shot, and the film is dedicated to him.
* RetCon: Scooter and the band had different and unconnected origin stories in the first seasons of the series, but are now shown as being a single unit before the show got together. (Handwaved by Kermit to Robin in the opening. "Well, it's sort of ''approximately'' how it happened.")
* RoadMovie
* ARoundOfDrinksForTheHouse: Fozzie defuses a BarBrawl by impersonating the bartender and shouting "Drinks are on the house!" Of course, this being the Muppets, this causes all of the brawlers to race to the roof of the bar where they [[LiteralMinded look futilely for the drinks.]]
* RunningGag: "Have you tried Hare Krishna?" Also, the "Myth! Myth!" thing.
** Yes?
** Kermit has a classic LampshadeHanging referring (in disgust) to the Hare Krishna bit... "Good grief, it's a running gag."
** Don't forget Sweetums pursuing the gang...which also turns into something of a BrickJoke.
*** Not to mention Gonzo landing on Kermit's car.
---> '''Gonzo:''' I'm back!
---> '''Miss Piggy:''' I don't understand any of this.
*** At the end, Sweetums literally bursts through the movie screen and joyfully shouts, "I just KNEW I'd find you guys!"
* ScenicRoute: What we see as Fozzie sings "America the Beautiful".
--> '''Kermit:''' This is the patriotic part.\\
'''Robin:''' Should we stand up?
* SettingOffSong: "Movin' Right Along." The first few bars get replayed when they drive off anywhere. Just to drill it into your head further.
--> '''Kermit:''' Move it right along Fozzie.
* ServileSnarker: SteveMartin, in yet another cameo, as an extremely rude waiter.
* ShoutOut:
** Kermit to Piggy: "[[GoneWithTheWind Frankly, Miss Piggy, I don't give a hoot.]]" Doubles as a reference to Woodsey Owl.[[hottip:*:"Give a hoot, don't pollute"]]
* TalkingToHimself: One of the benefits of this and the other feature films was the opportunity it afforded for characters like Jim Henson's Kermit and Rowlf, Frank Oz's Piggy and Fozzie, etc., to interact in a way that wasn't always technically feasible on television.
* TalkingToThemself: Kermit literally talks with another version of himself in the desert scene.
* ThereIsAnother: In this case, many others. For the finale, ''two hundred and fifty Muppets'', all preexisting, appear. As mentioned above, a whole bunch of extra people (including Tim Burton and John Landis) had to be called in to operate all of them.
* ThisBillboardNeedsSomeSalt: Aunt Amy's Custard Pies.
* TriumphantReprise: "The lovers, the dreamers, and '''''you'''''."
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: Within the film itself; see the page quote.
* VisualPun: Kermit tells Fozzie to turn left at the fork in the road. Sure enough... a giant fork is stuck in the road like a landmark.
--> '''Kermit:''' I don't believe that.
* WallpaperCamouflage: With ''a car!''
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: [[http://www.toughpigs.com/anthmovie01.htm Visit here for an analysis on a draft script]], but the biggest one to note is the recurring appearance of '''Henry Kissinger''', whose entire schtick is that he's not cast in the movie, not even for the Framing Device. Hilarious in Hindsight again?
* YouAreWorthHell: When Kermit and Miss Piggy are being held captive by Doc Hopper's minions and the mad scientist who is preparing to give him what amounts to a new form of lobotomy, Miss Piggy plays this straight then Kermit subverts it:
--> '''Miss Piggy''': Whatever happens next, I wouldn't trade this night for anything. Would you?
--> '''Kermit''': Make me an offer.
----
