On June 22, 1979, The Muppet Movie was released in theaters in the United States. With the arrival of this movie, The Muppets found themselves on the big screen. The story is about a frog who has dreams of going to Hollywood and breaking into show business. Along the way, he collects a wide variety of new friends who also all have big dreams. They also get pursued by the dastardly Doc Hopper who wants Kermit to be the spokesfrog for his frog legs business. This is a movie that is full of humor, heart, and an incredible soundtrack.
For many years The Muppet Movie has been one of my favorite films. The songs by Paul Williams are a fantastic blend of hilarity and heart that blend together. I think they also set the bar for what Muppet music is and should be. The storyline is fairly simple but quite entertaining. It has themes of friendship, acceptance, and the pursuit of passion. Then there are the characters… they are vibrant, ridiculous, heartwarming, cute, zany, and just about any other descriptor you can think of. Add in the cameos that are incredible and this is a film that offers something for everyone.
There are so many things I love about The Muppet Movie but I think what I love the most comes from the grand finale in a song called The Magic Store. It is the story of so many of us who grew up and love to create things, whether with puppets, animation, YouTube, websites, artwork, or something else! Read these words from the song:
It starts when we’re kids
A show-off in school
Makin’ faces at friends
You’re a clown and a fool
Doin’ prat-falls and bird-calls
And bad imitations
Ignoring your homework
Is that dedication?
You work through the mirror
You’re getting standing ovations
Everyone has to start something somewhere. Generally, it doesn’t start out great but eventually, it leads to something better.
You’re burning with hope
You’re building up steam
What was once juvenilish is grown-up and stylish
You’re close to your dream
Then somebody out there loves you
Stands up and hollers for more (More!)
You found a home at the Magic Store
Somewhere along the way, what was a childhood passion turns into something more. Communities are born. What might have been something we were teased about as a kid is something that is celebrated as we get older.
The song then goes into the rainbow connection, which really is beautiful and something that is universally appreciated by the lovers, the dreamers, and of course you! The movie wraps up with some very good advice that shouldn’t be forgotten:
Life’s like a movie
Write your own ending
Keep believing
Keep pretending
We’ve done just what we’ve set out to do
Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you
45 years later, people still need to remember that life is indeed like a movie where we get to write our own ending. It does take a lot of believing and pretending that leads to new ideas and new accomplishments. This song very much epitomizes what Daps Magic is and where it came from. It is something I am very thankful.
A good friend of mine named Deb years ago said, “You know, Daps really is a lot like The Muppets.” She went on to notice how there are quite a wide range of personalities and backgrounds in this community. She also commented on how we are constantly striving to create something special and how I tend to be trying to pull all of these personalities together to do so, just like Kermit. The moment she said this I thought of The Muppet Movie. It inspired me in the moment and it has continued to inspire me through the years. It does so even today!
The Muppet Movie is an enjoyable movie to watch but also has lots of life lessons in it. I feel like every time I watch it, I pick up something new. While there might be some older cars and other technology in this film, it really could have been made any time in the last four and a half decades. The story holds up. The music is unique and timeless. The characters are still engaging. Most importantly, the inspiring message continues to resonate and should be remembered.
Here’s to the next 45 years of The Muppet Movie. Let’s continue to carry this movie as we explore with new dreams, new adventures, and new friends!
