Big bird doesnt exist in dutch sesame street instead, we get a bright blue big bird who vaguely resembles big bird, not that this should impact a dutch persons enjoyment of this documentary. But if you grew up with sesame street in the 70s and 80s, you may find yourself experiencing an extra, particularly overwhelming set of emotions. Walker caroll spinney was the 80yearold who has been creating the muppet. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, i am big bird features extraordinary footage of spinney s earliest collaborations with jim henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon.
It has been shown at many film festivals, including the april 2014 hot docs festival. Henson caught spinneys performance at a puppetry festivala performance that was severely compromised by a major technical glitch. While big bird is arguably the best known animal icon for kids in the world, relatively few know the soul of that puppet, much less the workings of its animated presence on sesame street. Jun 01, 2015 coming to kingsbury hall january 29 as part of the utahpresents 2015 16 season. Caroll edwin spinney december 26, 1933 december 8, 2019 was an american puppeteer, cartoonist, author and speaker most famous for playing big bird and oscar the grouch on sesame street from its inception in 1969 until 2018. The documentary is really a love story between caroll spinney, his wife deb, big bird and the rest of. A yellowfeathered homecoming for the worlds most famous. I am big bird is a featurelength documentary about caroll spinney, who has been sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch since 1969 and. Caroll spinney recounts how in 1986, big bird was so popular, and nasa was so in the dumps, that the space agency asked if spinney would get on a. From the opening on the to tell the truth where spinney appeared and where we, as the audience who may not know his face, are left breathlessly waiting the answer, to following spinney s back down the hallway where you are still wondering, wonderful moment to moment editing, to the scoring of the music. A documentary about caroll spinney who has been sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch since 1969. As caroll spinney reminisces in the wonderful documentary, i am big bird, she didnt realize she was giving me my career.
The caroll spinney story april 30th, 2014 duration. The caroll spinney story on amazon video and apple itunes. The caroll spinney story shows time after time, puppeteer caroll spinney, famous for bringing sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch to. The caroll spinney story 2015 starring caroll spinney and frank oz on dvd and bluray. The caroll spinney story, which opens at the brattle theatre this weekend. His body and mind has magically transformed into these two for 40 years. The caroll spinney story, the films subject, who has performed as big bird and oscar the grouch on sesame street since the shows inception, discusses his first meeting with muppet impresario jim henson. For 45 years, caroll spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, i am big bird features extraordinary footage of spinney s earliest collaborations with jim henson as it. The documentary is really a love story between caroll spinney, his wife deb, big bird and the rest of the world. The caroll spinney story, was recently released by tribeca films. The caroll spinney story is a profoundly moving documentary. May, 2015 those values are on vivid display in the unexpectedly moving new documentary i am big bird. Spinney talks about his troubled childhood and his abusive father, who.
The caroll spinney story is a documentary about the puppeteer who performs big bird and oscar the grouch on tvs sesame street. Caroll spinney is a great example of someone that was determined to do exactly what he loved to do first and then find a way to get paid for it. The caroll spinney story is as bright and fluffy as the canaryyellow feathers that bedeck the titular sesame street character. The puppeteer, 81, has voiced and provided the movements for sesame streets big bird since the show hit the air in 1969. Caroll spinney is the 80yearold who has been creating the muppet characters of big bird and oscar the grouch since the first season of. The caroll spinney story is a 2014 american documentary film about caroll spinney, the original performer of sesame street characters big bird and oscar the grouch. With caroll spinney, jim henson, frank oz, debra spinney. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet who will steal your heart. While most of the content is ok for tweens and up, its not appropriate for the littlest big bird fans. Caroll spinney has been sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch since 1969. For 45 years, caroll spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man behind sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping. Live postfilm conversation on stage with caroll spinney and kueds ken verdoia. I am big bird pulls back the curtain on a remarkable.
Caroll spinney has played one of the most iconic characters on american television for over 45 years, but he knows you probably dont know his name. Add to watchlist this documentary reveals the life in these famous muppets issues from one operator, caroll spinney. Caroll spinney, subject of i am big bird its an awfully good job, caroll spinney says, of the more than 40 years he has spent on sesame street. His father was a stern man with a bad temper, but his mother encouraged spinney s interest and actually built a puppet theatre for him. Free online custom movie dvd covers art archive database. The caroll spinney story production notes i am big bird was largely funded by a 2012 kickstarter campaign. Those values are on vivid display in the unexpectedly moving new documentary i am big bird.
I am big bird documents caroll spinney s fortyplus years playing the big yellow bird and the greasy grouch oscar in the trash can maybe one of the best dual roles in history on sesame street. I always kind of hated the dutch big bird, but spinney s creation is a thing of wonder. The carroll spinney story offers heartwarming behindthescenes perspective on a cultural icon. I am big bird is a featurelength documentary about caroll spinney, who has been sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch since 1969 and at 78 years old, he has no intention of stopping. Spinney talks about his troubled childhood and his abusive father, who beat him up as well as his mother. Caroll spinney, the guy behind oscar the grouch and inside big bird since 1969, gets his own biographical documentary. When caroll spinney was a kid, he showed an interest in puppets, and was teased in school about it. And now his story is being told in the new documentary i am big bird. The caroll spinney story 2015 including budget, domestic and international box office gross, dvd and bluray sales reports, total earnings and profitability. The caroll spinney story stars the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 30 min, and received a score of 71 out of.
Spinneys book, the wisdom of big bird and the dark genius of oscar the grouch. May 06, 2015 these anecdotes and more constitute i am big bird. Every bit as goodnatured as longtime fans might hope, i am big bird. Finding out more about the man within the bird just made me fall in love with big bird even more. I am big bird profiles caroll spinney, the 80yearold puppeteer who has been behind sesame streets big bird and oscar the grouch since the shows first season. May 05, 2015 fans everywhere can now download the inspiring and muppetational documentary i am big bird.
The caroll spinney story is the delightful and heartwarming story of the man inside the head, the 8 foot tall 6 year old who has crossed borders, transcended politics, breached. I am a very big documentary watcher, and subject matter aside, this doc was fantastic. The caroll spinney story dvd cover 2015 r0 custom art ready to download and print. The caroll spinney story is told sweetly but not inventively. The caroll spinney story the man inside the yellow suit really is the heart and soul of the worlds most beloved avian character. I saw this at the 2015 cleveland international film festival. The caroll spinney story, a documentary about the man who has been making big bird walk, talk, sing and be generally lovable for some 45 years.