Jim Henson: Rare Behind the Scenes Experimental "Primitives" Puppets Rehearsal Video

The late Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, often had private exploratory performance sessions to test new puppets and characters. They were all done in his company's facilities, and for strictly in-house use and evaluation. This excerpt, from a tape belonging to the estate of the late Muppet designer/builder Tim Miller, features prototype puppets performed by Jim Henson, Camille Bonora, David Rudman, and Rick Lyon. Thanks to James Wojtal Jr. and Ken Plume. (PS, yes, there's a typo on one of the title slides. Oops.)

[@TheAnchorArmsChad]

The Song is Java Jive. Performed by the Ink Spots back in 1940

[@TheLyonPuppets]

But the recording used here is by The Manhattan Transfer, released in 1975.

[@PuppetNerd]

Interesting designs. This is so awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@spcglider]

The main puppet is obviously Jim. The body vocabulary is easily recognizable in common with Link Hogthrob.

[@tysargent9647]

The yellow puppet is Jim. The green puppet, I think, is Camille, the blue one is David, and the red one must be Rick.

[@Noahk1215]

I’m sure the time spent with Jim helped with future projects. Such as making puppets, using them and overall experience.

[@MarceloRBottaro]

Really cool designs, loved this. Thank you for sharing this Mr. Rick Lyon

[@VJFranzK]

Picasso esque, also resemble the Labyrinth talking statues from a year later!

[@houdannycomedymagic8642]

Really cool! Great to see the process.

[@TheLyonPuppets]

Thanks, Dan. Yeah, being in a room with Jim Henson just making stuff up is an experience that will not be topped in my lifetime.

[@fractionstein]

Great look at part of the process. Thank you Rick!!

[@bardeelake]

Simmering cool…

[@AbrasiousProductions]

reminds me of Sam & Friend's sketches :)

[@DeathLord1212000]

Do you remember which puppeteer performed which exact Primitive?

[@TheLyonPuppets]

Sure. Camille Bonora is in the far screen left puppet, David Rudman is the far right puppet, Jim is obviously the live hand lead singer, and I'm the orange/brown guy who falls down.

[@StupidEarthlings]

I dont think the one on the left knows the words.. probably just lip syncing..🤔

[@MrTimshellscherber]

Hi. Can I ask you a question?

[@MrScurv]

From the same neighborhood of the uncanny valley as Didgit.

[@martydworkis12345]

Which one of these characters is a live hand puppet?

[@VoidBoi420]

The yellow one in the front. Anytime a preformer uses their real hand movements like a hand in a glove is live hand puppet.

[@martydworkis12345]

@@VoidBoi420 you mean the lead singer is performed by Jim Henson?

[@VoidBoi420]

@@martydworkis12345 Yes.

[@martydworkis12345]

@@VoidBoi420 which one of these characters is a hand-and-rod puppet?

[@VoidBoi420]

@@martydworkis12345 Probably the ones behind the one in the front. You cant really see their arms so its hard to say.