Jim Henson is a household name, synonymous with The Muppets, Sesame Street, and the groundbreaking fantasy films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. However, Henson’s creative genius extended far beyond these well-known projects. Over the years, he experimented with numerous concepts that, while not as widely recognized, played a vital role in his legacy. Here, we’ll explore some of the lesser-known Jim Henson creations that deserve more attention.
1. Tales from Muppetland (1967-1971)
Before The Muppet Show brought Kermit and friends to prime-time fame, Jim Henson worked on a series of TV specials under the Tales from Muppetland banner. These specials included Hey, Cinderella! (1969), The Frog Prince (1971), and The Muppet Musicians of Bremen (1972). Each reimagined classic fairy tales with Henson’s signature Muppet charm, featuring early iterations of beloved characters like Kermit the Frog. These specials showcased Henson’s ability to blend humor, storytelling, and puppetry into unique, family-friendly entertainment.
2. The Cube (1969)
One of Henson’s most unusual projects was The Cube, a surreal, live-action television play produced for NBC’s Experiment in Television series. Unlike his colorful, puppet-filled productions, The Cube was a thought-provoking, almost Kafkaesque story about a man trapped in a mysterious white room. He encounters strange visitors who provide no answers as to why he’s there or how he can escape. The project demonstrated Henson’s willingness to explore philosophical and existential themes, showing a side of his creativity many fans never knew existed.
3. Time Piece (1965)
Time Piece was an avant-garde short film written, directed, and starring Jim Henson himself. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short, this experimental film was a departure from Henson’s puppetry work. The film, running just nine minutes, is a fast-paced, symbolic narrative about the passage of time, blending surreal imagery, stop-motion animation, and unconventional storytelling. It remains one of Henson’s most critically acclaimed yet underappreciated works.
4. The Land of Gorch (1975-1976)
Before The Muppet Show became a global sensation, Henson’s puppet creations made an unexpected appearance on Saturday Night Live. The Land of Gorch sketches featured grotesque, alien-like puppets in satirical, adult-oriented segments. While the collaboration between SNL’s writers and Henson’s team was rocky—resulting in the segments being short-lived—this was one of the first times Henson’s puppets were aimed at a more mature audience. The characters, including King Ploobis and Scred, later faded into obscurity, but The Land of Gorch was a fascinating experiment in blending Muppet-style puppetry with adult humor.
5. The Song of the Cloud Forest (1989)
A poignant environmental special that aired as part of The Jim Henson Hour, The Song of the Cloud Forest told the story of a golden toad named Milton, whose species was on the brink of extinction due to human deforestation. With stunning puppet designs and a heartfelt message about conservation, this special demonstrated Henson’s commitment to using his artistry for social and environmental awareness. Though often overlooked, it remains one of his most meaningful works.
6. The Jim Henson Hour (1989)
Though it only lasted for one season, The Jim Henson Hour was one of the most ambitious projects of Henson’s career. Designed as an hour-long variety show, it featured a mix of Muppet comedy, cutting-edge special effects, and dramatic storytelling. The series included segments such as Miss Piggy’s Hollywood, The Storyteller (which eventually became its own separate series), and sci-fi adventures featuring new puppet characters. Unfortunately, the show struggled with ratings and was canceled before it could find its audience, but it remains a fascinating glimpse into Henson’s evolving vision.
7. The Storyteller (1987-1989)
Although The Storyteller has gained a cult following, it is still lesser-known compared to Henson’s mainstream successes. This anthology series featured beautifully designed puppet creatures and live-action storytelling, narrated by John Hurt as the titular storyteller. Each episode adapted classic European folk tales, combining mythology, practical effects, and Henson’s unparalleled visual artistry. Despite its short run, the series is often praised for its dark, fairy-tale atmosphere and remains one of Henson’s most visually stunning works.
8. The Ghost of Faffner Hall (1989)
A music education series produced for HBO, The Ghost of Faffner Hall introduced audiences to Fughetta Faffner, a ghost who haunts a music academy. The show aimed to teach children about different styles of music and featured guest appearances from artists like Joni Mitchell, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bobby McFerrin. Though it never gained the fame of Sesame Street or Fraggle Rock, it showcased Henson’s passion for music and education.
9. Little Muppet Monsters (1985)
In an attempt to create a companion show for Muppet Babies, Henson developed Little Muppet Monsters, which combined puppetry with animated segments. Unfortunately, only three episodes aired before the show was canceled due to creative challenges. While it never found success, it remains a curiosity among Muppet enthusiasts.
10. Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series (1987)
Following the success of Fraggle Rock, an animated version of the beloved series aired on NBC. While it maintained the spirit of the original, it lacked the puppetry magic that made Fraggle Rock special. As a result, the show lasted only one season and remains a forgotten piece of Henson history.
Conclusion
Jim Henson’s career was filled with innovation, risk-taking, and groundbreaking storytelling. While The Muppets and Sesame Street remain his most famous achievements, his lesser-known works reveal a deeper layer of creativity and ambition. From surreal art films like Time Piece to forgotten TV specials and experimental puppetry, Henson’s genius extended far beyond what most people remember.
For true fans of Jim Henson, exploring these hidden gems offers a deeper appreciation of the man behind the magic. His willingness to push boundaries, take creative risks, and tell meaningful stories remains his greatest legacy.
Did we miss any of your favorite little-known Jim Henson creations? Let us know in the comments!
