Time Piece

Jim Henson as a filmmaker sometimes doesn't get as much credit as for his main innovations with the Muppets and establishing them throughout the years as the head producer of the Henson company. But behind the genius puppeteer that he was, he was also very good at creating a style that was all his own, whether it was with the original and enlightening fantasy films he made in the 80s or with the Muppet movies. Part of what crosses over from his time with the Muppets with this rarely seen short film, Time Piece, is the pure sense of tongue placed firmly in cheek. The theme of time is one that many art films deal with (not the least of which Bergman), but this film is like a collaboration between the crazier silent shorts of the 1920s and Chuck Jones. I laughed many times during this film, but it's also a marvel of- of course- timing, but also at getting the right rhythm with the images. It goes without saying that its directness in the editing, with its tempo always on step without going overboard, is some of the best I've ever seen in a short film.

Little moments end up making the best parts of Henson's film, where no real story emerges aside of himself sort of being witness to the follies of the world in a very crazy manner. And it's also an exercise in repetition- a few times the one spoken word of the film pops up ("Help")- by Henson, and it's always very funny. But the comic timing is explored in little themes Henson had in later films, such as food, with one of the real laugh out loud bits being when Henson and the woman eat at the table as they one-up each other. Or seeing the delirious pathway in Henson running around towards the end (being chased, no doubt, by archive footage). It all ends then, to put it mildly, down the toilet (literally I mean). This is a surprising film with as much invention that can be fused cinematically into its concept- showing time as being very musical in a sense, and possibly breaking the balance that it usually keeps with day to day life. It's an early gem, and its quite a stroke of luck to find it on-line or through a rare 16mm print; one of the true unfortunates in being unavailable to the masses and other fans of Henson.

Just saw this early experimental short by the creator of the Muppets, Jim Henson, on YouTube as linked by Amid on Cartoon Brew. It's basically an abstract animated slide show of Henson walking to work, having dinner with his wife, jumping on a pogo (with other people on that at various moments), etc. All done to a constant drumbeat with occasional cries of "Help!" from Henson. There's some adult humor here so I don't recommended this to children. Some of the cuts and montage that I remember from the Muppets' later TV show "Seseme Street" probably came from here. Anyone who thinks of Jim Henson as mainly a children's puppeteer would probably really be blown away with Time Piece. If you liked this, there's a short Henson did with sound man Raymond Scott called Ripples, also on YouTube. Highly recommended!

Nine minutes of imagery with no dialogue, story, or any point. Something to laugh at while being stoned. Even though it's only 9 minutes, it seems twice that because it goes nowhere.

Henson is the "lead" in all this, which is a rare visual, since he's usually behind the camera or hiding behind a muppet. Not that he adds anything to it. It also features Frank Oz (billed with his full name: Frank Oznowicz) in a bit part as a bartender. He adds nothing either.

A curio at best.

You can say what ever you want about it, but there's no denying that Jim Henson's earlier works are certainly...INTERESTING to some degree. Having only thus far witnessed 'Time Piece', if 'Piece' can be considered a basis for the style of these earlier Henson films than I am likely to love every one that I see! Surreal, funny, bizarre, brilliant...it's Henson years before he came to be known as the world famous creator of such classics as 'The Muppet Show' and 'Sesame Street'. I can certainly say that it is at least mildly surprising seeing a film made by the man who invented 'Sesame Street' that also contains some heavily raunchy jokes and images, but this element only adds to the fun! Seriously, 'Time Piece' is an uproarious and surrealist joyriot!

This is a neat little film that I believe won the Academy Award for best live action short film in 1965. It is a crazy piece about the effect that time keeping have on us all. There is a lot of stop action and editing. Don't miss the dancing naked chicken!