Script to Screen: Follow That Bird (The Version You NEVER Saw!) 

As a kid Big Bird's in a cage, painted blue, and singing his song made me cry...as an adult it's Sonia Manzano's reading of Big Bird's letter home, especially the line, "I should be happy here...what's wrong with me?" My eyes are wheeling up even as I type just thinking of it.

I’m so blue, is such a sad, yet incredible scene.

Love the episode! The fact this film was written by the the same people who did Land Before Time and An American Tail, makes the films more emotional moments make even more sense.

I have always loved Follow That Bird. Knowing it was written by the same team that wrote An American Tail suddenly explains the sad tone.

This movie was one of last times where Elmo was preformed by Richard Hunt.

Looking back on Miss Finch, she was like a child-friendly version of the Gestapo or the KGB, something I never thought I'd say in a single sentence.

Honestly, given how Henson was focused on preproduction on _Labyrinth_ , it's a testament to his devotion to the show that he found time to play Kermit and Ernie.

Follow that Bird was such an underrated movie in its day. There were a LOT of attempts at making kids' shows into movies at the time, and FTB was almost lost in that shuffle. Both that and Transformers the Movie found their footing on home video. I'm really glad they didn't go with the political thriller movie. That would have been an odd fit. Far be it for me to complain about jokes that would go over the heads of the kids in the audience, but the whole political satire bit was far too high concept. Obviously, when making a movie version of a TV show that's currently on the air (as opposed to several decades later as "remakes") is to make a movie and not just a 90 minute episode. Big Bird having his own Snoopy Come Home type deal mixed with a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World/road picture was the smart move.

I love the various Oscar/Maria scenes that have played over the years. I really enjoy their dynamic.

I was dying of laughter when you read the part about Kermit on the rocket ship. Too bad that didn't make it in.

I'd offer, too, that Big Bird was the focal point of this and other projects not simply because he's well-known and beloved, but because he's ambulatory. The other popular characters don't have lower halves, so showing them wandering around becomes tougher. You can do a lot with Big Bird that you can't do with Bert or Grover simply because Big Bird has legs.

This was amazing! I really wish Oscar's song "We're Glad to See You Go" made it into the movie. Also, your countdown voice at 18:33 reminded me of Sam the Eagle.

I agree that the makers of this film did a good job challenging the young audience and not being afraid to showcase some darker elements.

This film was the last time Jim Henson played Kermit on the big screen… 😢

If I could take a guess as to why Forgetful's line was cut, it's that Richard Hunt was unavailable at the time. Although, I think he reprised his role as Gladys the cow at the end. Herry Monster on the other hand did not sound like Jerry Nelson. It could very well have been one of the Canadian puppeteers.

The grouch band singing about being glad Big Bird's leaving sounds hilarious. Another possible reason for it being cut I thought of is that the scene is supposed to be emotional and this funny song would ruin that.

What's next for the Script to Screen? I've got some suggestions: .Barney's Great Adventure .Space Jam .Aladdin .The Pebble and the Penguin .Scooby Doo live action films (1 and 2: Monsters Unleashed)

Your forgetful Jones impression was amazing!😄

Rest in Piece Jim Henson x

Big Bird is one of my biggest childhood icons.

Danny DeVito and Bill Murray sounds like an awesome duo.

Dolly Parton and Big Bird singing together would’ve been incredible.

1. Seeing as how I didn't hear much about the "Cookie Monster Eats Gordon's Car" subplot or "Upside Down World" song, I'm going to assume they weren't originally in the script? 2. So Kermit was going to be doing news segments throughout the film, eh? I would've loved to see that! 3. Forgetful Jones was going to have a brief role too?! That would've been cool! 4. ..... So, the owl in the bird group was going to have TWO scenes of saying that Big Bird was happy on Sesame Street?! Okay. I officially refuse to believe him becoming an actual character in the later seasons was a coincidence.

If John Belushi was still alive when the movie was being made I’m sure him and Dan Akroyd would’ve made great Sleaze Brothers

The film is fun even as an adult. The jokes are good, sometimes surprisingly clever and sharp, the pacing perfect, the shenanigans funny, and as a city boy, I still appreciate the jabs at Middle American suburbia. Oceanview, Illinois. Hahaha! The Don't Drop In Diner was always my favorite scene. It's so crazy and funny, and Sandra chewed the scenery left and right. She and Maria got some great exchanges. I think they genuinely wrote this film so that it would also amuse the parents and give kids more to laugh at as they got older. I think that's why it works so well. It is pure fun. God, I love this flick!

I wish Kermit had more screen time in this movie. I would've had him deliver the happy news torwards the end of the movie. Scene is: Kermit the Frog(on TV): Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I have good news to tell you. Gordon (on Sesame Street): What is it, Kermit? Kermit: Big Bird from Sesame Street is back where he belongs. He is no longer with the Dodos. Gordon: He's here with us on Sesame Street. Ernie: He found where he belongs. Maria: He really does belong here. It's his home. Black boy: Big Bird's back home! Gordon: Yes he is. He's where he belongs, Mikey. At the very end, Kermit would interview Big Bird on Sesame Street. Kermit: How is it here, Big Bird? Big Bird: It's good to be back. Then it shows the Sesame Street sign, reminding us once again that it is just fictional. How did you like the scenes? I want to know. If you like them, man, comment down below. The jungle thing sounded cool. Wish that was in the movie.

Follow That Bird is one of my favorite movies, and I'm glad it came out the way it did, even though some of these ideas sound interesting. I've always wondered though, what if there was a made-for-tv sequel where the Sleaze Brothers return and capture various Sesame Street Muppets, and Big Bird, the remaining Muppets, and the humans must stop the Sleaze Brothers.

Man, it's been forever since I've seen "Follow That Bird", but I still distinctly remember stuff like Big Bird's goofy foster family, everyone going on their own journey to find Big Bird, poor Big Bird painted blue in a cage, and the big car chase where Big Bird is scared to jump to Gordon; in particular, I remember Big Bird saying to Gordon that he told him never to stand up or jump around on a moving vehicle, and Gordon was like "you have my permission, now jump!" I don't have much to say about the original draft for the movie, other than it's pretty audacious to have suggested celebrities appear in the movie as opposed to placeholders, though I suppose it's cool that at least Chevy Chase ended up appearing as originally intended.

I recently watched this with my kids for the first time since I was a kid and oh man what a nostalgia trip. I didn't realize how much of the movie had stuck with me until certain songs came on and I realized I remembered them. And I can attest that when I think of this movie I think about blue big bird in a cage.

Bob Stutt, who puppeteered Molly and Snicklfritz in the Big Comfy Couch was a background puppeteer. In the Canadian Sesame Street co-production, he took over the role of Basil the polar bear from Tim Gosley, who performed the honker in the Sloppy Jalopy in the movie. Both puppeteers (along with Cheryl Wagner and several other puppeteers in this movie) were also involved in Fraggle Rock and would go on to do several Canadian TV shows including Groundling Marsh, Big Comfy Couch and more. Daddy Dodo's suit performer puppeteered and voiced the title character from Zoboomafoo.

Funny how the screenwriters have a connection with both Sesame Street, and later the 2 animated films don by Don Bluth and Steven Spielberg. Plus I mostly know most of the songs thanks to the fan-made train show crossover The Railways of Crotoonia.

18:31 that’s a pretty good Kermit the frog impression

One little star sounds an awful lot like 'Somewhere out there'. 'sees the writers of this movie' OH THAT MAKES SENSE! :D 9:54,ahhhhhh that makes ALL THE MORE SENSE. This movie shoulda gotten more love at the time,man. :(

I have to admit I did enjoy watching Follow That Bird! I enjoy when The Count counting the credits at the end of the movie. I love when he said one associate producer. Someone is associated with the producer. Ha Ha! I did laugh at the line because it was funny to listen to for sure!

First movie I remember seeing in the theaters! And its still such a wonderful and charming movie too.

As funny as that alternate ending was, it's probably a good thing in hindsight that they scrapped it, because this movie was released a year before the space shuttle Challenger Disaster. Had that scene remained in place and a child saw that movie after said Disaster, they would have thought in horror that that shuttle would explode, ending Kermit, even though there's no implication in the alternate ending and the CTW would regret it indefinitely. By cutting that out, they luckily dodged a bullet. It's also my understanding that Caroll Spinney was considered to go onboard the space shuttle Challenger, but fortunately didn't for whatever reason(s). So that's two bullets dodged in Sesame Street's case.

I always cry when Big Bird leaves Sesame Street. Just the music alone is tear jerking. :'(

The voice of Mandark is in there. ^^

I remember countless times of my dad renting this movie from Blockbuster.

Any chance for an Elmo in Grouchland Script to Screen? I watched that movie like a million times as a tiny tot!

The Dodos must've forgotten all about Big Bird after the events of the film.

Wow I always learn so many cool secrets from your channel! I remember renting this movie as a kid from my local video store. I had no idea that the original screen play was so interesting! Fantastic job!

One of my favorite Sesame Street movies ever made! I like it back when I was a kid, and I still like it now. The film did feature the casts reprising their respective roles from the show, as well as some new characters. Despite receiving positive critical reviews, it became a box office disappointment, grossing $13.9 million ($36.6 million when adjusted for inflation), which resulted in a slight loss for the Children’s Television Workshop. The reason is that the film was competing with other movies the same year. For example; The Black Cauldron from Walt Disney Pictures. Despite the film’s poor performance, it became a success on home video releases and has garnered a cult following. This film is one of the few Sesame Street productions to be directly produced by The Jim Henson Company. Some of the characters from the movie would later appear in “The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years.” This film is notable for being the last time Jim Henson performed Kermit on the big screen before his death in 1990. Beforehand, he continued to perform and voice the character in a couple or few television specials.

Still love this film, a classic!

I wonder what "We're Glad to See You Go" would've been like.

Kermit's report about Big Bird going to outer space at 18:18 could have become reality. NASA had planned for Big Bird to be on the Challenger shuttle in 1986 to teach kids about space travel. However, the plans were scrapped at the last minute because Big Bird's costume was too big to fit inside the shuttle and teacher Christie McAuliffe took his place instead.

I luv this movie, I always cried when BB sang when he was blue. I also weeped when the cast sang one little star. One of the funniest parts was when the cast and muppets were getting their game plan together to find BB and Oscar says” Wait, wait I have a question...what is the capital of North Dakota?” Hilarious! Great video, I really enjoy all of your work on your videos

I loved this as a child and then my daughter loved it too. We watch it a ton. It is so cute!

Could you do Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland?

Great video! It brought back some great memories!

I gotta rewatch the movie someday.........if I'm not to busy with other things.

another awesome script. i wish that kermit space ship scene was in the movie

It's a shame how the only Sesame Street movies that where ever made where this one and of course Elmo in Grouchland witch I actually own a DVD release of I've always wanted to watch this movie based on what I've seen of it so far it seems like a movie that I would enjoy watching especially since it's revolved around Big Bird Overall this video was very informative and I loved discovering what was different from the final completed version of the movie

I haven't seen this movie since I was little. Can't wait to rewatch it! Awesome video as always. :)

Exactly the kind of content I'm looking for 👍 love it

Childhood memories today I the original Sesame Street Muppets, human and puppeteers of the Golden era. Glad we have RU-vid as I saved Sesame Street playlist of full episodes 1969-1992.

Extraordinary!

I love these kinds of videos! And I love this movie Thanks for uploading!

Alison Court would also be know for voicing Jubilee in the 90's 'X-Men'.

There are a couple of MUPPET SHOW guest stars in SESAME STREET PRESENTS: FOLLOW THAT BIRD: Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Grover, and Count von Count.

Being from Maryland, I remembered the one Sleaze Brother's Baltimore Orioles hat.

One of the things I’ve noticed while rewatching Follow that Bird as an adult with my kids is that the Dodo’s are racist against non-birds. Just imagine every time they say “bird” replace it with “white”.

My quick takes/observations: Opening credits sequence seems creative (especially if we were to hear a FULL orchestrated take on the theme) The Snuffy subplot I'm glad never happened, since the way the film handled Snuffy works wonderfully to those who grew up AFTER Snuffy was revealed (like myself) Good to know that "grouch paradise" scene did indeed HAVE a purpose, but I still woulda preferred the Count at the traffic light in its' place instead ('cause grouch paradise is the only scene in the final film I would've scrapped). Kermit's news updates I could go either way with. Was there still no explanation to how Ernie & Bert lost their airplane? Come on. That's still like not knowing how Goofy & Max got away from Bigfoot.

To be completely honest....the count had a really awesome car.

When you added that Follow That Bird script at the beginning it's literally on my birthday April 3rd

Great! Now I have an urge to watch this for the first time in what must be 25 years. I should really be asleep already haha

Idk why, but the tape called Follow That Bird we had growing up just had the multiple big bird going to places specials joined together with some in between scenes.

19:35 You should do a Script To Screen episode on "Elmo In Grouchland".

Follow that bird was such a great movie that’s underrated, Elmo in Grouchland was good too but not as good as follow that Bird, I am curious to see what the new Sesame Street film will be like when it comes out.

I was hoping you would talk about the cancelled film idea where Big Bird runs for president. Ah well! Maybe you can do that in another video. I still enjoy this video. Thanks again!

19:35 Yeah, we didn't need that, but those scenes were still pretty funny, so it didn't matter to me.

Do any of you fans think they should've had Ed for a 3rd Villain in "Follow That Bird"? I mean Sam Sleaze, Sid Sleaze & Ed together?

''Big Bird was the face of Sesame Street'' - True. Which was great before Elmo took over. (Glad I was young when SS was new and at its peak)

I love the new background in the video.

can you do a script to screen of the unproduced sesame street movie before follow that bird?

There's stuff I had wondered about/felt should have been in that are included here. I always felt Forgetful Jones should have said that in the "don't forget to..." I felt there should have been an opening credits sequence, I felt there should have been a song at the end (I also feel there should have been a song in a street scene). I'd recently learned that two of the storybooks show the Dodo's weird eating habits and figured that was in the old script. I felt like there should have been more scenes with Kermit reporting on the event (after the initial news report, it doesn't seem to be a big news deal in the film, though every notable character does acknowledge it). I had been wondering if the kids parents knew Big Bird was there. I had wondered if the Sleaze brothers considered capturing Miss Finch (or Kermit, or any of the Dodos).

Nothing will top Waylon Jennings singing with the Sesame Street gang

Can you do a topic completely on the Little red Monster Elmo, even though big bird was Sesame Street golden boy at the time, his spot light was stolen by Elmo

I just realized one of the council birds is Nani bird who was in sesame beginning as Big Birds aunt

Colin looks back is the GOAT

And your video just got 100 likes. Great job on this episode!

Are you gonna do a video on Elmo in Grouchland, next?

I haven't seen this movie since I was the target audience for it... I should fix that.

Great video! Will you cover Elmo in Grouchland someday?

Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno should’ve been this movie as David banner and hulk to help big bird from Miss finch

(EDIT: Once again, I manage to forget it's best to wait before writing a massive piece of commentary should the video go on to discuss the issue with more depth, but while the narration made brief allusions to the "imaginary friend" plotline, I still think what I shared below is something even casual fans will find fascinating). The obvious concern of the redundant airport sequence was that Mr. Snuffleupagus was still assumed to be Big Bird's "imaginary friend" at the time. For those unfamiliar, Snuffy (or rather a terrifying early version of him) first appeared in Big Bird's nest and the two quickly became best friends, with Big Bird telling everyone else about his new friend. Everyone became wary of the stories, assuming Big Bird merely had an imaginary friend. Snuffy would always appear unannounced, but when Big Bird would run to prove he was real, Snuffy would absentmindedly wander off. This was still the case when _Follow That Bird_ was released, but shortly thereafter the show's production heads and writers met to address what was surely the most grim concern they had to deal with since Mr. Hooper's death. After highly-publicized cases of child abuse in the news, including at least one where a young victim told authorities that they didn't tell anyone because they feared they wouldn't be believed, the team behind _Sesame Street_ realized that this scenario was happening almost every episode with Big Bird. Child psychologists had always been heavily involved with the show's creation, but with _Sesame Street_ the pioneering force in children's television, often all they could do was pay close attention to not only the show, but the national news as well and adjust accordingly. Thus, Big Bird was elated for everyone of his friends to _finally_ meet Mr. Snuffleupagus, after which Snuffy was free to wander all over Sesame Street. But more importantly, the adults each took their turn apologizing to Big Bird for not believing him and promising they'd never dismiss anything he said again. I was a hardcore fan of _Sesame Street_ well past the show's target age demographic and I remembered this plotline well, but in the few instances the subject's come up in my adult life, it never ceases to amaze me how so few do. God, do I love the few instances I can actually put some of the encyclopedic pop culture knowledge floating aimlessly around in my mind to good use.

At least it’s better than the Oogieloves.

It’s nice to know that I wasn’t the only one who found Elmo in grouch land to be bad conpared to this movie the only positive was Seeing inside oscars trash can for the first and only time

I don’t remember about this one I get dvd too

The late Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, & Dolli Parton would’ve been good to. Kenny Rogers was a guest on the original Muppet Show. Randy Owen the lead singer of Alabama, he would’ve stole the dang show!!! Randy’s a muppet onto himself, he’s to dang CUTE!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Yes I like an American tail too that third favourite film too

Can you do barney's great adventure for you next script to screen because Stephen white (one of the original writers for barney who wrote the original script) said alot of the stuff he wrote got cut out from the movie basically saying and I quote "the heart was cut out of the movie"

I didn't even know this movie existed.

It does seem odd to seem so familiar with this when I remember watching popeye and tom and jerry at the time I should have watched sesame street.

I only have vague memories of his movie. I watched it a couple of times as a kid, but it was never a favorite of mine. I'm not sure why. Maybe seeing big bird in a cage made me sad?

Breaking News today that sesame street cast Singer and a legend of the show Bob McGrath has passed away today at the age of 90 years old rest in peace Bob McGrath

the last time jim henson was ernie and kermit

I wonder if any of these deleted scenes were filmed. I'm interested in seeing them.

Where can I find a copy of the original script for the first Sesame Street movie?

6:25 Let’s not forget- Sam was the smarter brother and Sid was the dumber one in the final film.