The stories were unfamiliar to American audiences, but were folk tales from Europe and Russia. As the storyteller told the stories, they were acted and illustrated by colorful characters and creatures from the muppet creature shop.
I don't know why only 9 episodes were produced, because it was very well done. I recently caught all 9 on Netflix and my kids loved them.
This is just one example of the genius that was Jim Henson. There are few people that touch every family in modern homes. Probably only two, Walt Disney, and Jim Henson.
Best known for Sesame Street characters and Muppet Show and movie favorites, Henson also branched out to less "cuddly" creatures. Movies such as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal are two examples. The Storyteller is another.
While the focus is more on human actors, the influence of "muppet" effects is evident throughout the series. But, as usual with Henson productions, the stories shine through. It's very well done.
This very short lived series from 1988 would fare much better today on a children's network like Nickelodeon or even PBS, though I'm not sure if the cost of muppetry would outweigh digital methods. Check it out if you can, especially if you have little ones.
This is just one example of the genius that was Jim Henson. There are few people that touch every family in modern homes. Probably only two, Walt Disney, and Jim Henson.
Best known for Sesame Street characters and Muppet Show and movie favorites, Henson also branched out to less "cuddly" creatures. Movies such as Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal are two examples. The Storyteller is another.
While the focus is more on human actors, the influence of "muppet" effects is evident throughout the series. But, as usual with Henson productions, the stories shine through. It's very well done.
This very short lived series from 1988 would fare much better today on a children's network like Nickelodeon or even PBS, though I'm not sure if the cost of muppetry would outweigh digital methods. Check it out if you can, especially if you have little ones.
