Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sesame Street Presents:Follow That Bird |
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Theatrical release poster by Steven Chorney
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| Directed by | Ken Kwapis |
| Produced by | Tony Garnett |
| Written by | Judy Freudberg Tony Geiss |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Van Dyke Parks Lennie Niehaus |
| Cinematography | Curtis Clark |
| Editing by | Evan Landis |
| Studio | Children's Television Workshop |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | August 2, 1985 (United States) |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $13.9 million |
Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird is a fun musical comedy movie from 1985. It's based on the super popular TV show Sesame Street. This was the very first full-length movie for the Sesame Street characters!
The movie was directed by Ken Kwapis. The story was written by Judy Freudberg and Tony Geiss. Many famous Muppet performers like Caroll Spinney, Jim Henson, and Frank Oz brought the characters to life. Some human stars also appeared, including Sandra Bernhard, John Candy, and Chevy Chase.
Follow That Bird was made by Children's Television Workshop and Warner Bros.. It came out in the United States on August 2, 1985. Critics generally liked the movie. However, it didn't make a lot of money at the box office.
This movie is special because it was the only Sesame Street film to feature both Jim Henson and Richard Hunt. It was also the last time Jim Henson played Kermit the Frog and Ernie in a Muppets movie for theaters. He passed away five years later.
Contents
Big Bird's Big Adventure: The Plot
This movie tells the story of Big Bird and his journey. An organization called the Feathered Friends' Board of Birds decides that Big Bird needs to live with a bird family. They send a social worker named Miss Finch to Sesame Street.
A New Home for Big Bird?
Miss Finch wants Big Bird to live with a family of dodos in Ocean View, Illinois. Big Bird tries to fit in with the Dodos. But they don't like non-birds very much. They even suggest he shouldn't be best friends with Mr. Snuffleupagus. Big Bird feels very uncomfortable and misses his home.
Big Bird Runs Away
Big Bird decides to leave the Dodos' home and go back to Sesame Street. His journey makes the news! Miss Finch tells reporter Kermit the Frog that she plans to find Big Bird and bring him back. Big Bird's friends on Sesame Street see the news too. They decide to find him before Miss Finch does.
Friends on a Mission
Big Bird's friends, including Gordon, Olivia, Maria, and Luis, set out to find him. They use different vehicles to travel. Meanwhile, Big Bird hitches a ride with a friendly truck driver. The driver encourages him to keep going.
New Friends and Tricky Brothers
Big Bird later meets two kids, Ruthie and Floyd, at a farm. They let him sleep in their barn. The next morning, Miss Finch arrives, but Big Bird sneaks away. He then meets two tricky brothers, Sid and Sam Sleaze. They run a fake carnival called The Sleaze Brothers Funfair.
The Bluebird of Happiness
The Sleaze Brothers trick Big Bird. They capture him and paint him blue! They call him "The Bluebird of Happiness" and put him on display to make money. Big Bird sings sadly about wanting to be home. Even though he's sad, many people come to see him.
A Rescue Mission
Two kids sneak backstage and find Big Bird. He asks them to call Sesame Street to tell his friends where he is. The next morning, his friends sneak into the circus tent to free him. But the Sleaze Brothers wake up and drive off with Big Bird still in his cage!
Gordon and Olivia chase the truck in Gordon's Volkswagen Beetle. Big Bird bravely jumps from the moving truck, and they rescue him! Soon after, a police officer stops the Sleaze Brothers. They are arrested for their bad deeds.
Back Home on Sesame Street
Big Bird is so happy to be back on Sesame Street! But then Miss Finch arrives. She admits the Dodos weren't right for him. She says she has found another bird family. Maria tells Miss Finch that Big Bird is happy on Sesame Street. His family includes humans, monsters, and grouches, and that's okay!
Miss Finch sees how much Big Bird's friends care for him. She realizes Sesame Street is his true home. She officially declares Sesame Street to be his home and leaves happily. Everyone celebrates Big Bird's return. Even Oscar the Grouch is carried around the block in his trash can by Bruno the Trashman!
Meet the Cast
Many talented people brought the characters to life in Follow That Bird.
Muppet Performers
- Caroll Spinney played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. He also played Bruno the Trashman.
- Jim Henson was the voice and performer for Kermit the Frog and Ernie.
- Frank Oz played Cookie Monster, Bert, and Grover.
- Martin P. Robinson played Telly and Mr. Snuffleupagus.
- Jerry Nelson played the Count, Herry Monster, and other characters.
- Sally Kellerman was the voice of Miss Finch. Cheryl Wagner was the performer for Miss Finch.
- The Dodo family members were played by Brian Hohlfeld (voice of Daddy Dodo), Gord Robertson (performer of Daddy Dodo), Laraine Newman (voice of Mommy Dodo), Patricia Leeper (performer of Mommy Dodo), Eddie Deezen (voice of Donnie Dodo), Jeff Weiser (performer of Donnie Dodo), Cathy Silvers (voice of Marie Dodo), and Shari Weiser (performer of Marie Dodo).
- Richard Hunt played Gladys and Sully.
- Kathryn Mullen played a little girl and a grouch diner patron.
- Noel MacNeal played Madame Chairbird.
- Fred Garbo Garver played a Turkey, an Owl, and Barkley.
- Tim Gosley played a bird member and Honker.
- Pam Arciero played Grundgetta.
Human Characters
- Linda Bove as Linda
- Emilio Delgado as Luis Rodriguez
- Loretta Long as Susan Robinson
- Sonia Manzano as Maria Rodriguez
- Bob McGrath as Bob Johnson
- Roscoe Orman as Gordon Robinson
- Alaina Reed as Olivia Robinson
- Kermit Love as Willy
Other Human Actors
- Dave Thomas as Sam Sleaze
- Joe Flaherty as Sid Sleaze
- Alyson Court as Ruthie Darcy
- Benjamin Barrett as Floyd Darcy
Special Guest Stars
- Waylon Jennings as the Turkey Truck Driver
- Sandra Bernhard as the Grouch Diner Waitress
- Paul Bartel as the Grouch Diner Cook
- Chevy Chase as the Newscaster
- John Candy as the State Trooper
Making the Movie: Production Details
The movie was filmed in Ontario, Canada, in places like Bolton, Schomberg, and Georgetown. They also filmed at Toronto International Studios in 1984. The famous Sesame Street set was rebuilt to look even more real for the movie. They added new buildings like a music store and a fire station.
Filming Challenges
One challenge happened when filming Big Bird on the farm. The movie film got scratched and couldn't be used! The actors and crew had to go back to the same spot months later in winter. They even spray-painted green leaves on the trees to make it look like summer. The kids had to put their coats on right after each scene because it was so cold!
Another fun fact: Oscar's trash can looked too new at first. So, the crew banged it up and made it dirty to match the one from the TV show. For the "Upside Down World" song, Jim Henson and Frank Oz were actually upside down in a biplane, high above the ground!
Voice Changes
After filming, the filmmakers decided that the voice of Cheryl Wagner (who performed Miss Finch) didn't quite fit the character. So, her voice was later changed to that of Sally Kellerman.
Director's Choice
Before Ken Kwapis became the director, John Landis was asked to direct. He liked the script but couldn't do it because he was busy with another movie.
Music and Songs
The movie features many great songs that help tell the story.
Songs from the Film
- "Sesame Street Theme" – The classic opening song.
- "The Grouch Anthem" – Sung by Oscar the Grouch and the Grouch chorus.
- "Ain't No Road Too Long" – Sung by Waylon Jennings, Gordon, Olivia, Cookie Monster, Grover, Count von Count, and Big Bird.
- "One Little Star" – A sweet song by Big Bird, Olivia, and Mr. Snuffleupagus.
- "Easy Goin' Day" – Sung by Big Bird, Ruthie, and Floyd.
- "Upside Down World" – A funny song by Ernie and Bert.
- "All Together Now" – Performed by the band Alabama.
- "Workin' on My Attitude" – Sung by Ronnie Milsap.
- "I'm So Blue" – A sad song by Big Bird when he's feeling down.
Soundtrack Album
| Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Producer | Jim Henson Steve Buckingham |
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| Sesame Street chronology | ||||
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The official soundtrack album was released in 1985 by RCA. It includes many of the songs from the movie.
Track List
Side One
1. "The Grouch Anthem" 2. "Big Bird's Goodbye/The Runaway" - Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, and Kermit the Frog 3. "Ain't No Road Too Long" 4. "Big Bird on the Farm/One Little Star" - Big Bird, Ruthie, Floyd, Olivia, and Mr. Snuffleupagus 5. "Easy Goin' Day"
Side Two
6. "Don't Drop Inn/Workin' on My Attitude" - Ronnie Milsap 7. "Upside Down World" 8. "I'm So Blue" 9. "The Chase/Sesame Street Theme" - Big Bird, Gordon, and Olivia 10. "All Together Now"
Watching at Home: Home Media
Follow That Bird was first available on VHS and LaserDisc in 1986. It was re-released on VHS several times. Later, it came out on DVD in 2004. A special "25th Anniversary Edition" DVD was released in 2009. This version included the original widescreen movie and new bonus features.
