How did Jim Henson inspire generations of dreamers? Director Ron Howard chronicles the life and legacy of this master puppeteer in “Jim Henson Idea Man.” The documentary follows Henson’s life from working on local television to crafting a highly regarded filmography. Along the way, he would see The Muppets become pop culture icons in their own right with a TV series and several box office hits. Henson’s work also extended to children’s education programming with the much beloved “Sesame Street.”
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This film is far from the first documentary by Howard — his non-fiction projects span several decades. The filmmaker notably directed “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week.” Much like his current project, ‘Week’ sought to show a private side to very public figures. It would garner several awards, including Emmys and a Grammy. He found similar success with “Pavoratti,” a project following the life of iconic opera singer Luciano Pavarotti. The documentary was critically praised for its approach to the famous figure.
The film’s official synopsis:
“Jim Henson Idea Man” takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary, from his early years of puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim’s personal archives, Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.”
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Paul Crowder, Meredith Kaulfers, and Michael Rosenberg serve as executive producers on “Jim Henson Idea Man.” The Disney+ original documentary debuts on the streaming service May 31. Watch the new trailer below.