Toby Froud (plays the lil brother) frequently gets asked, "what was David Bowie like?" His frustrated answer is, "I *don't* know. I was a baby. But I'm told I peed on him, so I've got that going for me."
@@aleczrike9647 He mainly has worked on Stop-Motion Animated films from Laika films like PARANORMAN, but he's also directed a few short films (LESSONS LEARNED can be found on TH-cam/ it's very DARK CRYSTAL/LABYRINTH-esque)
@@aleczrike9647Walking in the footsteps of his parents who worked on the goblins in the movie. That's why he was picked, he was used to being around the goblins and wasn't afraid of them.
Further fun: When recording “Magic Dance” the sound of the vocalist’s baby whose crying they’d arranged for didn’t work out, so David Bowie performed the crying on the track himself.
ACTUAL BULGE TRIVIA: A colleague of mine works on SESAME STREET and one of the costumers on the show worked on LABYRINTH as an assistant costume maker. The subject of David Bowie's "bulge" was a hot topic after the first couple days of filming and producers told the costumers to tone down and hide it. The costumers tested multiple layers of pantyhose under Bowie's tights and looked like it would do the job. When the assistant costumer (that my colleague worked with) dropped the packs of pantyhose into Bowie's trailer, they put instructions asking him to wear them under his tights. The next morning, they found the pantyhose box was open and David said he had put them on. By the time he got to set and filming started, the producers saw him and again complained. The crotch bulge was still there. The costumer asked David if he was wearing the pantyhose. He said "of course, as requested." Confused, the costumer was instructed that maybe they should double up the layers. She bought extra boxes, took them to Bowie's trailer, left a note asking him to double-up the layers. Next morning, the new box is open too - David is wearing double. But on-set, his moose-knuckle was bigger than ever. Really confused, the costumer was sent to the trailer to get to the bottom of this. Bowie had gone home for the day and she searched his trailer for the pantyhose so she could test them again. She found the previous day's used pantyhose in the waste basket. She grabbed them, held them up.... ...and saw that David Bowie had very neatly and carefully, with absolute care and precision, cut the crotch out of every single one of the pantyhose he was given with a pair of scissors. By the time she had told Jim Henson what had happened and also told Bowie that the pantyhose was to hide his bulge, not enhance it, they had shot half of his scenes and never got around to refilming them. She noted that Bowie's bulge never got smaller, but each day's pantyhose was disposed somewhere off-set where she never got the chance to check if he was still cutting the crotch out or not. Classic Bowie.
Yes, me again, the super old person who saw this in theatres. I too wore out the VHS of this but I also revisted it in my 30s and realised something about this movie. It's clearly a coming of age movie in Sarah taking responsiblity and not hating on her little brother anymore, but literally EVERYTHING she faces in the Labyrinth is something a young person has to learn about as an adult. Starting with, as George said, "just because it looks pretty, doesn't mean it's nice" and then quickly progressing to good communication. Had she told the bug what she actually wanted, she would've got there sooner but because she assumed both her and the bug had the same goal, it cost her. She gets scammed, she learns that sometimes you just need to ask permission, that you shouldn't get distracted by fancy parties or get stuck in the past. Honestly, this film is deep on so many layers.
Yes, it does a great job of capturing that tenuous uncertainty of being caught between childhood and adulthood. It’s part of why David Bowie works so well as a symbol of attraction-he’s both likable but threatening, much like men would be to a teen girl. It’s why I love that she’s putting her toys away at the very end, but if she needs to retreat to childhood-“should she need them” she always can.
@@miriam8376 In an earlier version of the script, he represented her mother's boyfriend, that she had a crush on, and he wasn't exactly standoffish about it... But that was just a bit too dark, so it got cut, however, in the novelisation, her boyfriend Jeremy gets mentioned, whereas in the film, he's never mentioned, but for a brief moment, if you look at the family pictures, that boyfriend looks a lot like a certain music icon. Quickest way to get a peek is to Google Labyrinth Jeremy.
@@baronsengir187 Yes! Even if you are an adult you can still be imaginitive and creative, I loved that it absoletuly said that with the ending! Your adult life can't be only imagination like the one of a child, but it can still be part of it, it doesn't have to be shed completely.
"I always imagined that Jareth didn't want to be the Goblin King. He was there because he inherited the role, and would rather be off dancing at a club in Soho." -- David Bowie
About the poor, crying Toby: "In the beginning of the iconic "Magic Dance" scene, Toby is seen crying while surrounded by numerous goblins. In reality, the baby Toby Froud wasn't the least bit scared by any of the puppets used, and seemed to have fun with the scene. The shot of one of the goblins making silly noises and faces to make Toby laugh was a genuine reaction, and was inspired by many instances where they needed him to be silent and actually used some puppets off-camera to lull him. They had to wait until he was tired and wanted to nap after filming the musical number to get him to cry."
"Who did that kid grow up to be?" He is Toby Froud, and he became a puppeteer! His father is Brian Froud, the artist who designed the creatures in this and in The Dark Crystal! Brian Froud is one of my favourite artists. :)
This film is a coming of age film. But with an important message at the end that whilst we do have to put our childhood away and grow up, we don't have to let go of that wonder and fantasy. Now I'm older, when I see the end that "I do need you, every now and again in my life, for no reason at all" makes me tear up
@@antonycharnock2993 It used to be done here in America as well. I don’t know when it stopped being a regular thing, but I would assume before the 1980s.
Of all the villains in all the movies I have ever seen, people have the most unwillingness to hate David Bowie in Labyrinth. I think if you asked random fans of it to describe the movie plot to someone who'd never seen it, they would come out with the idea that he's the hero.
@@cnnhdlvth9557 well, he actually just grants a wish. That's not a bad thing per se. And he takes care of the baby, entertains him, plays with him. (In hindsight I wish, David Bowie would've sang and danced just for me in my childhood)
I'm still in awe of the set builders who put the face of David Bowie on various pieces of styrofoam 15:22 painted them up into rocks, and set them in an order the camera could see coalesce and then break into its parts. Visual synecdoche.
The film is also heavily inspired by Outside Over There, another book in Maurice Sendak's "psychological development" trilogy, which basically means 3 picture books he wrote intended for children at different ages all based around the same theme of a character entering a dreamlike-or-maybe-actually-just-a-dream otherworld, but gradually ramping up the complexity of the themes, story and artstyle to match each age group; toddler, preschool (Where the Wild Things Are) and preadolescent (Outside Over There) Sendak even has an inspiration acknowledgment in the credits. Labyrinth could be seen as an unofficial fourth entry, focusing on the next stage; adolescence and moving the artstyle up to real people and detailed puppets.
The fact that Jareth wants to rename Toby Jareth makes me wonder if Jareth was a stolen baby too, maybe renamed by the last Goblin King to have his same name. It would explain why the goblins steal babies at least.
Considering that the pictures in Sarah's room show that Jareth's appearance was based on the celebrity that had an affair with her mom and helped destroy her marriage, and that in the same scene where Jareth says he wants to name the baby Jareth he also says the baby has his eyes, i always thought it probably meant that in the real world the baby was not her dad's, but since the mother abandoned her family he decided to raise him like he was his
There's a reason that every Goblin King they wanted to chose was handsome and making age appropriate music for a teenage girl of the time to listen to: Labyrinth is a coming of age story so there is a hint of blooming sexuality in Jennifer Connelly's character, but ultimately she is still young and when she overcomes the Goblin King we see that, for a time, she will remain on the threshold between woman and young girl. She does, however, mature. She learns to stop hiding behind her childish fantasies (instead just enjoying them without the escapism) and she even allows her little brother to share in her beloved stuffed animal. I always liked how they didn't mature her up all the way, because 14 is way too young to be losing interest in childish things (hell, you should never totally lose interest in them really).
“Nothing?! Nothing tra lala?!” I say this all the time and love when people get it. So happy you guys watched this gem! Incredibly creative and so much fun!
People think Sarah got the door guard question wrong, but she was absolutely right, that is the only one question that will get you the right answer. People think she failed because she falls into the pit, but that is not "Buh-buh-buh-buh Certain Death". Every time something bad happens to her, it is because of her hubris. She gets cocky, and the Labyrinth has to knock her down a peg. It's another one of the lessons of adulthood that is the theme of the movie. To be humble and not brag about your small accomplishments, and take responsibility for your words and actions.
There's also the subtle fact that the whole setup for the puzzle is wrong, in that both guards cooperate in telling her the rules. Which means the rules themselves can't be trusted (since half of them come from someone who always lies) so the solution won't necessarily be the same.
In an alternate ending, once Sarah figured out the chant, instead of just fading out, Jareth smiles at her first, showing that in the end he wanted her to succeed. Its amazing how a simple smile could change the whole film's dynamic like that.
My interpretation of this movie is that the movie is all about maturity and imagination. At the start of the movie Sarah is a brat, everything is about her, nothing is fair and she's always the innocent victim. Jerith is the manifestation of her imagination: capable of remaking the world however *she* wants. But while your imagination lets you do anything, you can also be trapped by it when it runs wild. That's why everything are from things in her room, to her all of the toys and stories that she buries herself in are her imaginary world, and it's running wild. Throughout the movie she has many realizations that are tied to maturity, such as realizing that sometimes things aren't fair (but that it doesn't mean that you're a victim, and you just have to deal with it). Realizing that all of the things that she cared so much about at the start of the movie aren't really so important (at the start she cares more about her toy bear than her brother, contrasted with her calling it all garbage and going to save her brother). Her final showdown with Jerith is resolves by her realizing that her imagination only has as much power over her as she lets it, and that realization brings her back to reality because she's now in control of her imagination. And one final step of maturity: "should you need us" represents the fact that controlling your imagination doesn't mean you have to lock it up forever. Sometimes, every now and then, for no reason at all, it's okay to indulge in your imagination, as long as you keep a firm grasp on reality.
I'll definitely second Jennifer Connelly.Phoebe Cates never did anything for me,but Jennifer Connelly got the supreme compliment of being "insanely cute"..yeah I was a teenager.Now we're all older and she's a beautiful woman.
Just a note, the whole "it was all a dream" thing from The Wizard of Oz was from the movie only. In the books, Oz was a very real place. Eventually Dorothy and her family relocate there to live.
Tobias Matthew Froud. The baby who played Toby in the Labyrinth is the son of two of Brian and Wendy Froud who both. Both of which worked on production for the Labyrinth. He is now an artist, special effecters designer, and puppeteer.
Jennifer Connely was and still is stunning :). You should also watch Wilow and Lady Hawk for more great Jim Hanson puppet I recommend the StoryTeller 1987 great tv series.
There really is a lot of deep symbolism in this movie. The scene with the garbage goblin lady teaches how materialism ultimately leads to destruction. She realizes that the material things she once valued were actually worthless things that only offered an illusion of contentment and satisfaction. Once we have that realization, the illusion crumbles, just like the bedroom walls did. It's a lesson that is very much lacking in modern times!!!
Ludo isn't a toy, he's based on the creatures from the book Where The Wild Things Are in her room. Also the painting of the impossible stairways on her wall is by the artist M.C. Escher - always worth a look at his assorted works of art as its pretty damn trippy.
The ending message of this movie is one of the many reasons I love Labyrinth. In any other film Sarah would have "grown up" by completely rejecting/getting rid of all of her fantasy stuff. Instead, she shows maturity by her actions (like giving Toby her bear) but still admits that her love of fantasy and imagination will always be a part of her. Which is fitting considering this movie was made by a group of middle-aged men who were all huge fans of fantasy and storytelling.
Fun fact about the puppet of hogle, he is currently on display in the unclaimed baggage store in Alabama(a huge thrift store full of items found in lost luggage) because he was found accidentally abandoned in an airport.
easy to miss how well Jennifer Connelly performed in this film. shes's acting with puppets , a baby, and masked actors most of the time and does a great job convincing the audience that she's in this world.
I always love that you both pay close attention to the movie & catch the details. You are also not confused by things of the past. A true cut above the rest.
Fun facts about "Baby Toby". He was born in 1984. He designs puppets, can juggle fire (and has performed at a few carnivals), can walk on stilts, and currently studies film making. He also apprenticed at the Muppet workshop in New York. Seems like the film had quite an influence on him. Another interesting fact, for myself at least, is that Cheryl McFadden was choreograph director. And when she's in front of the camera and acting, she's known as "Gates McFadden".
I haven’t got to the end yet, so maybe you hit this in the trivia, but the baby is Toby Froud, son of Brian and Wendy Froud. Brian is a renowned fantasy artist who did most of the creature designs for this film and another Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal. Wendy fabricated many of the creatures in this film, but has worked on other projects such as The Empire Strikes Back where she created the original Yoda puppet. Toby himself has grown up to be a puppeteer, sculptor, and SFX designer.
Brian Froud collaborated with Alan Lee on the seminal 1978 coffee table book "Faeries", which had a huge influence on 1980s fantasy design (and is still in print today). Alan Lee went on to be the conceptual artist & designer for Peter Jackson's _Lord of the Rings_ films.
I got an idea for her: Labyrinth with absinthe. It's just what it says: I once had a Labyrinth watch party in which my friends and I would drink absinthe while watching this. The drunker we got, the wilder the theories about the movie meaning became.
Toby Froud is the son of the conceptual artist (Brian Froud), and one of Henson’s puppet makers (Wendy Froud). Both of which worked on some amazing films.
Also, if i recall correctly they had to wait for him to get tired to cry and look scared because he actually loved the puppets and costumes and would start laughing when he saw them
"Jim Henson's the Muppet guy, right?" "I think so, I'm not sure." OMG, you guys NEED to react to The Muppet Movie! You're missing out. I seriously feel bad for you younguns that didn't get to grow up with the muppets.
I’ve watched even those who aren’t really familiar with The Muppets still be just utterly charmed by that movie, so all is not yet lost for those who didn’t grow up with it.
Jim Henson was an absolute genius to have this vision and make it come to life. This was a VHS my sister and I rented from our local library back in the late 90s. Brings back memories of the good ole days. (His good friend George Lucas also helped, but to keep the limelight off himself, Lucas refused to do interviews, ensuring that fans knew it was Jim’s project, not his.)
Frank Oz, of course, voice of Yoda and he was asked if he was interested to direct Harry Potter 2nd movie. He "retired" 2001 , does work now and then. He did voice of several Muppets and Sesame street puppets, also puppeteer as was his parents, so natural career. David Bowie or Ziggy Stardust , him being a costume freak this role was perfect.
I've watched Labyrinth seemingly at least 100 times, never had I noticed the bottles of milk by the door in rhe corner of the screen. Gotta say, good add in by the props dept, and great eye catching that one the watch-through. One of the most magical watches for me going back to growing up in the 80s to now, and you just helped add a lil more magic for me, thank you
21:08 I *never* would've believed I'd hear a King's Quest shoutout on this channgel, but I'm extremely happy about it! (Also, "The Princess and the Goblin" was a hugely influential novel by Scottish author George MacDonald, one of the first modern fantasy novelists as we understand them today)
Since Simone loves Star Trek TNG: The person who choreographed the ballroom scene was Gates "Dr. Crusher" McFadden (except she went by Cheryl McFdadden in the credits).
That reminds me, there seems to be a severe lack of a _Time Bandits_ reaction on this channel. If they have, in fact, not seen it yet, I do believe they would enjoy it as well.
@@0okamino For Terry Jones movies, though, I highly recommend Erik the Viking (theatrical, not the "director's son's cut" abomination) and The Wind in the Willows (renamed for video as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride).
17:22 When my friends and I saw this back in the 80's, the theatre had unfortunately had a sewer pipe break that morning, so the whole place smelled like the Bog of Eternal Stench. It was the first known implementation of "Smell-O-Vision".
The girl is Jennifer Connelly who appeared with Tom Cruise in Top Gun Maverick. This film and rhe original Top Gun were both released in the summer of 1986. Flash forward to the first scene they share in Maverick at the bar...David Bowie's Lets Dance is playing on the jukebox as a nod to Connelly and the summer of 1986. I think even the number 1986 makes it into frame either at the bar or some other scene in the film.
Y’ALL, this movie *was* my childhood. My dad made me rent it as a kid, which the idea about goblins scared me, but I loved it. It was played at everyone’s sleepovers growing up. It shaped me so much that I bonded with my best friend over it in 6th grade, I had the soundtrack, the vhs, the dvd (when those were developed lol). I have art books, shirts, games, funkos, movie poster (next to Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark lol), all sorts of anniversary merch. My best friend even played the love medley from the sdtk at my wedding on the flute with her husband on acoustic guitar. This same friend got my daughter a “Babe with the power” onesie when she was a baby. This movie is so iconic! Thanks for checking it out. ❤
10:24 - "This is one of my favorite things, this hands scene." "I would have chosen Up." Terry Jones (of Monty Python) was one of the chief scriptwriters on this film. His absurdist Pythonesque humor can be recognized throughout. He had an idea of little puppet hands, like the character "Johnny" performed by famous ventriloquist Señor Wences. (look him up!) Just a fist with a little face drawn on it: that was Terry's idea. In the minds and creativity of the Henson crowd- led by Jim Henson's son Brian (also the voice of Hoggle), they came up with a dazzling array of face-like arrangements of hands: eyes, noses, mustaches, mouths, etc. To make all the hands uniform, they sculpted literally hundreds of foam-latex gloves, all wrinkly and gnarled- so that whichever performers' hands were used in a shot, they would all match up and look similar. Many of the choices Sarah makes are less than ideal. Since she came from Up and fell down, there is a logic to heading back Up to that path and continuing on her way. I totally agree that that would have bee the smart move. But it's easy to be an armchair adventurer; who knows what choices we would make, surrounded by fantastical worms and guards and hands and stuff?
To solve a labyrinth (or any maze) yes, there is a trick to it, and George was right. Simply decide which wall to follow and then place your hand on it and walk. No matter which way it turns, do not take your hand off the wall. You will eventually come to the end. It will work no matter which wall you pick, as long as you stick with the same wall the entire time.
Although both maze and labyrinth depict a complex and confusing series of pathways, the two are different. A maze is a complex, branching (multicursal) puzzle that includes choices of path and direction, while a labyrinth is unicursal, i.e., has only a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center.
Mazes and labyrinths are different. That trick works for a maze but labyrinths are more complicated and don't have branching paths. The only reason following one wall works is because a maze is literally just one long line and everything is connected, but in a labyrinth there are stand alone walls and paths and multiple entrances and the idea is to get to the middle, not get out of it. Essentially following one path could lead you out one of the many exits because from the myth it's intended to be impossible to navigate and waste the person's time until they're eventually killed by the minotaur or in this case she doesn't save her brother
This is not actually true. It's a very good trick yes, and _will_ work in many instances, but not always. It depends on how the labyrinth is constructed. Still, it's your best bet, even if it is not guaranteed to succeed.
This works for certain types of mazes and labyrinths. Specifically, ones that have only a single entrance and single exit, and both are on the outside edge of the maze. If either are in the middle than it may or may not work. To be fair, the type of mazes it works for are the most common, so it works more often than not. But there do exist mazes where it doesn't.
This trick works with any maze that you have to pass through to get to the other side. However, if you have to find the center, the maze can be constructed in a way that you won't reach it with this trick: It needs only one looping corridor around the center, and following the wall brings you only back to the starting point. It is dependent on the topology (mathematical term) of the maze.
There are so many layers to this movie and its lore! So many lessons. I wrote one of my college Thesis papers on this movie and story and my teacher freakin loved it!
Fun fact: The crystal ball twirling was all real. Juggler David Moschen (EDIT: Michael. Thx AricScooby!) basically played David Bowie's "arms" in that scene, which also means he pretty much had to do it all blind.
Small correction- his name is Michael Moschen. Butyou are correct, his hands stunt doubled for all the contact juggling of the crystal balls. Several of his performances are available on TH-cam, and worth checking out! A dedicated and talented performer.
I was going to comment on this too. Apparently he had to have his head near Bowie’s crotch so just his arms could be seen, as did many of the puppeteers in some scenes so many crew got very close to the “Bowie bulge”.
That same year, they carried that same trick over to _Sesame Street_ , just to see how far they could take it. The resulting character, Dexter the Juggling Monster, only lasted a couple of episodes, as they underestimated how hard it would be to juggle blind in a big monster suit.
@@16ozClawHammerNot a great fan of the term “fun fact”, but no one knows anything before they find out something for the first time. Not everyone who watches a film will automatically search out the behind the scenes stories.
Might be my favourite reaction to this ever - a brilliant mix of you both enjoying the artistry of it, and potential takes on the overall meaning - and also not taking it TOO seriously and just enjoying it without baggage. It's a wonderful film, and very much a touchstone of kids fantasy in the mid 80s. Also, you noticed the bottles of milk on the doorstep outside the castle! No-one ever notices that! I thought it was a hilarious joke, and very British. The screenplay was written by ex-Python Terry Jones after all. So now, you need to do "The Dark Crystal" (1982) - which while it has a much more sombre tone, is an absolute work of art in this genre. If your Patreon subscribers know their onions, this should already be on your radar. If not, they suck.
Supposedly, Toby Froud, the baby, wouldn't cry enough. The first big musical scene in the castle took a bunch of takes because he wouldn't cry. He's actually the son of Brian Froud, the main guy all the art design is based off of (well worth checking out Brian's artwork). Toby went on to become an artist, puppeteer, and filmmaker himself.
This movie has aged so well. I was so happy when I showed to my kids and they absolutely loved it. One them and their step sister did toby and Jareth for Halloween one year. Also that was Elmos voice you heard, same voice actor.
20:48 - The ball (one of the very few scenes with real actors in it) was choreographed by frequent Jim Henson collaborator Cheryl Gates McFadden- known to us fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as Doctor Beverly Crusher! In the years since this film came out, there have indeed been many groups who have organized Labyrinth Balls, encouraging fancy dressing up- either as specific characters from this scene, and/or make your own costume in this style: come to the party, dance, meet fellow fans, have a good time!
Years ago, I went to the Jim Henson exposition at The Henry Ford Museum, and I saw set for her bedroom, and yes, all the characters are toys in her room
Ahhh...The Bowie Bulge.. An object of Great Power and Facination to many teenage girls..and quite a few boys. This film really is timeless and is just as good today as when it was released
The original script had them kiss at the ball and David Bowie was like no I'm not kissing a child Also, just to add since there are no comments on this...Many women have said that david bowie in this role was their awakening when they were young. In one exception I find hilarious, someone said David Bowie's codpiece scared her so much that she realized she was only into women
@@aidanrock8719 Yep, he did that a couple of times. Apparently about 10 years before shooting "Labyrinth". I find it possible that he realized the error of his ways and grew as a person.
@@tracy4290 Nah, he was probably bored with it by then, plus he understood the nature of the film. Kissed a lot of different types. There is a movie called Velvet Goldmine, which is meant to be a kind of Bowie biopic.
You'd never get it up on TH-cam and it probably wouldn't be worth many views if you did but I think Simone especially would simply adore "Fraggle Rock" (if she doesn't already). Everything Jim Henson touched has magic.
In Los Angeles every year they host the annual “Labyrinth Ball” . It’s a ticketed event, anyone can go. For the last few years it’s been hosted at the Biltmore Hotel downtown (famous old building, in a lot of films and music videos) and takes over the entire hotel. Not sure about now (last time I went was a few years before the pandemic) but it use to be really popular with the comic con crowd, the people who dress up in professional costumes for cosplay. But also actual Hollywood costume designers who would plan/ make their own outfits for the party. People would go all out. Historical costumes, fantasy creatures, steam punk etc. Disney characters too and always one or two people would come AS Sarah or Jareth from the masquerade scene. They rented every ballroom in the hotel and each room was a different party. Some had Jane Austen formal classical dancing (I’m sure Bridgerton had an impact here in recent years), some had waltzing and Irish jigs, some were EDM clubbing rooms. It was a blast. They still host it, and I’m not sure if it’s the same, but it a really fond memory/ experience for me.
Expanding on what others have said: in the ST:TNG episode "Data's Day", Data asks Dr Beverly Crusher to teach him to dance, as it's revealed she was known as "the dancing doctor". That, of course, all refers back to [Cheryl] Gates McFadden's real life past as a dancer/choreographer.
I love this film, I first saw it in the cinema when I was 5 or 6 and it scared the shit out of me. Over the years it’s become a favourite. It holds up so well as so much is done in camera, only the scene where they can remove their heads is seriously degraded by optical compositing. The owl at the start was ILM’s first attempt at a real CG animal.
I love the anti-consumer approach of this movie. The 80s were having a very yuppie/consumerist heyday with everyone clamoring for more and better stuff, and Labyrinth was straight up like, “your possessions are empty and will trap you” lol. What actually saves her is art and community. This movie is scary, but kids today could really benefit from this kind of messaging in media.
Consumerism is even worse today. That's 90% of the shoplifting right there. Either to get the Jordans/designer clothes/cell phones or to sell them for other stuff the thieves want to buy.
It’s saying when you grow up you have to put some of your childhood things behind. But every now and then you need to hold on to some of the things you treasured as a child.
Fun fact: the dance choreographer was Gates McFadden, best known to Star Trek fans as Dr Beverly Crusher. Oh... And the answer to the door riddle was, *they're BOTH liars!* The old man was right abouthe way forward is sometimes backward. Had they gone back to the start, they could have have taken the left brach option and gone straight to the castle!
The crazy CG owl is the first time a CG animal appeared in a movie. I saw the movie when it was first released. It was really cool at the time, but a little baffling. But it's aged really well. I think it's now earned it's place as a classic about growing up. Next up for you - Return to Oz! AND Purple Rain!!
I have fond memories of renting this movie from a video store as a kid, and then waiting for it to come to cable TV so I could record it and wear out the tape. But my favorite memory of this film was the day about 14 years ago when my 8-year-old niece came up to me and asked "Uncle Cory, do you want to watch my favorite movie?" I said "Sure, what's your favorite movie?" expecting to hear something to grit my teeth trough. But she said "It's called... Labyrinth!" I played it totally cool, but man I scored so many Cool Uncle points that day by knowing all the bits, and all the songs, and by doing by long-since-perfected character impressions. After that, I introduced her to The Dark Crystal and The Neverending Story (a little too scary, I got a talking-to from my sister in law about the nightmares). And then a week later, I found myself standing in front of a Redbox at the grocery store, attempting to explain to her that despite the similarities in the title and the fact that there was a little girl on the cover, that we should DEFINITELY NOT rent Pan's Labyrinth for her to watch.
Bowie did a fair amount of acting in films and onstage. I especially like him as Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ". All of his '70s albums are worth hearing, true classics. His '80s were more eclectic, his "Let's Dance" pop phase was the height of popularity. He then formed a rock band Tin Machine which made 2 albums then he went solo again.
George in the Bog of Eternal Stench: “Attention viewers, most of the sounds you are now hearing are NOT BEING MADE BY ME! Won’t someone please stop the farting?!”
IMO, here's a good intro to David Bowie: Films: The Man Who Fell To Earth, The Hunger, The Prestige Songs: Space Oddity, Teenage Moondream, The Man Who Sold The World, Life On Mars, Fame, and the version of Heroes that starts with the lyrics "I, I wish you could swim, like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim" (the dolphin version is more raw and emotional.) Collaborations: Under Pressure with Queen, and I'm Afraid of Americans with Trent Reznor Interviews: The interview where Bowie criticized MTV for not playing black artists. Of course that is a moot point now that MTV became RTV.
This is one of the few "coming of age" movies for women. My mom took my 17-year-old-self to it and we came out of the theater with me saying "Mom, I think the Goblin King was sexy?" and she agreed that that was a perfectly appropriate response.
Also old enough to have seen this on its original release and I still adore it to this day. A perfect storm of talent was involved and it really shows. I just wish there had been more merch! There’s *tons* available now obviously, but when it was released there was not much. Which is surprising given that George Lucas was involved! 😄 So glad you guys enjoyed it. Loved seeing you take in the spectacle & laughing at Terry Jones’ unique humour in the writing. It’s a very special movie for a lot of people. ❤️
RE your interest in attending a Labyrinth-themed masquerade party: There's a big one that's been going on annually for some time, in Los Angeles. Look up "Labyrinth Masquerade Ball 2024." I had attended many years ago, and shared the dance floor with Toby (the baby in this film, then a young adult). Since he is a part of the puppeteer world, he had an astounding Satyr costume.
You should definitely react to The Dark Crystal after this. The Dark Crystal is Jim Henson's first fantasy movie, directed by both him and his friend Frank Oz, who was Yoda in Star Wars and Miss Piggy in The Muppets. It's also his first collaboration with fantasy illustrator Brian Froud. The really awesome thing about The Dark Crystal is that there are no human characters. Every character and creature is a fantasy creature created through special effects puppetry. It's such a cool movie and one of the best effects movies of the 80's.
The orignial idea was even to have the whole film not have any understandable dialogue, with all the characters speaking not-understandable languages, and the whole thing being filmed more like a nature docummentary of a completly alien world. This got scaled back to just the Skeksis speaking their own language, and then all their lines got dubbed over in post-production because test audiences complained. The reason skekSil/the Chamberlain talk so weird is his speech patern was made for scenes where he was supposed to speak a language he was not fully fluent in to talk to the main characters.
Toby Froud (plays the lil brother) frequently gets asked, "what was David Bowie like?"
His frustrated answer is, "I *don't* know. I was a baby. But I'm told I peed on him, so I've got that going for me."
He then went on to be a sculptor on several movies and the Design Supervisor for the Netflix Dark Crystal series
@@aleczrike9647 He mainly has worked on Stop-Motion Animated films from Laika films like PARANORMAN, but he's also directed a few short films (LESSONS LEARNED can be found on TH-cam/ it's very DARK CRYSTAL/LABYRINTH-esque)
@@aleczrike9647Walking in the footsteps of his parents who worked on the goblins in the movie. That's why he was picked, he was used to being around the goblins and wasn't afraid of them.
Fun fact: all of his crying was unscripted, but when the director heard it he realized it was lightning in a bottle and just let him cook.
Further fun: When recording “Magic Dance” the sound of the vocalist’s baby whose crying they’d arranged for didn’t work out, so David Bowie performed the crying on the track himself.
ACTUAL BULGE TRIVIA:
A colleague of mine works on SESAME STREET and one of the costumers on the show worked on LABYRINTH as an assistant costume maker. The subject of David Bowie's "bulge" was a hot topic after the first couple days of filming and producers told the costumers to tone down and hide it. The costumers tested multiple layers of pantyhose under Bowie's tights and looked like it would do the job.
When the assistant costumer (that my colleague worked with) dropped the packs of pantyhose into Bowie's trailer, they put instructions asking him to wear them under his tights. The next morning, they found the pantyhose box was open and David said he had put them on. By the time he got to set and filming started, the producers saw him and again complained. The crotch bulge was still there. The costumer asked David if he was wearing the pantyhose. He said "of course, as requested."
Confused, the costumer was instructed that maybe they should double up the layers. She bought extra boxes, took them to Bowie's trailer, left a note asking him to double-up the layers. Next morning, the new box is open too - David is wearing double. But on-set, his moose-knuckle was bigger than ever.
Really confused, the costumer was sent to the trailer to get to the bottom of this. Bowie had gone home for the day and she searched his trailer for the pantyhose so she could test them again. She found the previous day's used pantyhose in the waste basket. She grabbed them, held them up....
...and saw that David Bowie had very neatly and carefully, with absolute care and precision, cut the crotch out of every single one of the pantyhose he was given with a pair of scissors.
By the time she had told Jim Henson what had happened and also told Bowie that the pantyhose was to hide his bulge, not enhance it, they had shot half of his scenes and never got around to refilming them. She noted that Bowie's bulge never got smaller, but each day's pantyhose was disposed somewhere off-set where she never got the chance to check if he was still cutting the crotch out or not.
Classic Bowie.
Wow as someone who’s loved this movie since my mom showed it to me as a little kid, this is hilarious to find out 😂
Labyrinth subtitle: The Battle of the Bulge.
😂😅
I would have thought he was just rolling up the panty hose and stuffing it down there. Anyway, medieval codpieces were a thing so...
@@joelwillems4081 😂
Yes, me again, the super old person who saw this in theatres. I too wore out the VHS of this but I also revisted it in my 30s and realised something about this movie. It's clearly a coming of age movie in Sarah taking responsiblity and not hating on her little brother anymore, but literally EVERYTHING she faces in the Labyrinth is something a young person has to learn about as an adult. Starting with, as George said, "just because it looks pretty, doesn't mean it's nice" and then quickly progressing to good communication. Had she told the bug what she actually wanted, she would've got there sooner but because she assumed both her and the bug had the same goal, it cost her. She gets scammed, she learns that sometimes you just need to ask permission, that you shouldn't get distracted by fancy parties or get stuck in the past. Honestly, this film is deep on so many layers.
And most importantly that it does not need to mean that you lose your imagination.
Yes, it does a great job of capturing that tenuous uncertainty of being caught between childhood and adulthood. It’s part of why David Bowie works so well as a symbol of attraction-he’s both likable but threatening, much like men would be to a teen girl. It’s why I love that she’s putting her toys away at the very end, but if she needs to retreat to childhood-“should she need them” she always can.
I still have my VHS of this. Haven't watched it in a while because of the DVD but I'll never get rid of it.
@@miriam8376 In an earlier version of the script, he represented her mother's boyfriend, that she had a crush on, and he wasn't exactly standoffish about it... But that was just a bit too dark, so it got cut, however, in the novelisation, her boyfriend Jeremy gets mentioned, whereas in the film, he's never mentioned, but for a brief moment, if you look at the family pictures, that boyfriend looks a lot like a certain music icon. Quickest way to get a peek is to Google Labyrinth Jeremy.
@@baronsengir187 Yes! Even if you are an adult you can still be imaginitive and creative, I loved that it absoletuly said that with the ending! Your adult life can't be only imagination like the one of a child, but it can still be part of it, it doesn't have to be shed completely.
The "Is he posibaly the sexiest vilain that we've ever seen ...HOLY BULGE okay?!" was perfectly timed.
One upon a time, there was a Geocities website dedicated to that bulge. The Internet was a strange place in the early 2000s
Yep predators that kidnap babies to convince a 15yr old child into a forced marriage…..super sexy 😢
"I always imagined that Jareth didn't want to be the Goblin King. He was there because he inherited the role, and would rather be off dancing at a club in Soho." -- David Bowie
About the poor, crying Toby: "In the beginning of the iconic "Magic Dance" scene, Toby is seen crying while surrounded by numerous goblins. In reality, the baby Toby Froud wasn't the least bit scared by any of the puppets used, and seemed to have fun with the scene. The shot of one of the goblins making silly noises and faces to make Toby laugh was a genuine reaction, and was inspired by many instances where they needed him to be silent and actually used some puppets off-camera to lull him. They had to wait until he was tired and wanted to nap after filming the musical number to get him to cry."
"Your mother is a freaking Ardvark!" is a great insult to use. The people you're insulting won't even know what it means. 😂😂
I have a labyrinth T-Shirt that says: "Jareth's day Nursery: 13 hours of free childcare".
That's funny.
😂🤣
*Terms and Conditions apply
@@xorsyst1 oh my goodness could you share where you got it?
@@ZiggyonMars off world tees 😃
"Who did that kid grow up to be?"
He is Toby Froud, and he became a puppeteer! His father is Brian Froud, the artist who designed the creatures in this and in The Dark Crystal! Brian Froud is one of my favourite artists. :)
This film is a coming of age film. But with an important message at the end that whilst we do have to put our childhood away and grow up, we don't have to let go of that wonder and fantasy. Now I'm older, when I see the end that "I do need you, every now and again in my life, for no reason at all" makes me tear up
The essence of this movie in a comment. Bravo.
“Are those bottles of milk in the bottom left corner?” I mean Jareth does have a baby to take care of.
Weirdly that's a very British thing milk bottles on your doorstep. I wonder whose idea that was.
@@antonycharnock2993 It used to be done here in America as well. I don’t know when it stopped being a regular thing, but I would assume before the 1980s.
I never noticed those but it got me thinking which creature got milked
I did notice them on one of my MANY watch-throughs, and I thought it was a nod to the idea that all the goblins were once kidnapped babies...
@@oneearrabbit Town I was living in during the '80s became one of the last two deliver and then about the last to sell in glass milk bottles.
"just because something is pretty doesn't mean its nice" thats a life lesson right there
Yup, Labyrinth calling out pretty privilege back before it had a name
George: Is David Bowie the sexiest villain-
Me: YES
Of all the villains in all the movies I have ever seen, people have the most unwillingness to hate David Bowie in Labyrinth. I think if you asked random fans of it to describe the movie plot to someone who'd never seen it, they would come out with the idea that he's the hero.
@@cnnhdlvth9557 well, he actually just grants a wish. That's not a bad thing per se. And he takes care of the baby, entertains him, plays with him. (In hindsight I wish, David Bowie would've sang and danced just for me in my childhood)
I'm still in awe of the set builders who put the face of David Bowie on various pieces of styrofoam 15:22 painted them up into rocks, and set them in an order the camera could see coalesce and then break into its parts. Visual synecdoche.
In Sarah's room you can see a copy of Where the Wild Things Are - I think Ludo is supposed to be inspired by the monsters in that book.
Yup.
The film is also heavily inspired by Outside Over There, another book in Maurice Sendak's "psychological development" trilogy, which basically means 3 picture books he wrote intended for children at different ages all based around the same theme of a character entering a dreamlike-or-maybe-actually-just-a-dream otherworld, but gradually ramping up the complexity of the themes, story and artstyle to match each age group; toddler, preschool (Where the Wild Things Are) and preadolescent (Outside Over There) Sendak even has an inspiration acknowledgment in the credits. Labyrinth could be seen as an unofficial fourth entry, focusing on the next stage; adolescence and moving the artstyle up to real people and detailed puppets.
The fact that Jareth wants to rename Toby Jareth makes me wonder if Jareth was a stolen baby too, maybe renamed by the last Goblin King to have his same name. It would explain why the goblins steal babies at least.
There is a "prequel" comic called coronation day. The "king" before Jareth was called the Owl King. But yes Jareth IS a stolen baby
The original goblin king retired long ago and is living out his retirement in Patagonia.
@@Phoenix_DarkMoon But then in the sequel comic Return to Labyrinth, there was no king before Jareth and he was not a stolen human baby at all.
Considering that the pictures in Sarah's room show that Jareth's appearance was based on the celebrity that had an affair with her mom and helped destroy her marriage, and that in the same scene where Jareth says he wants to name the baby Jareth he also says the baby has his eyes, i always thought it probably meant that in the real world the baby was not her dad's, but since the mother abandoned her family he decided to raise him like he was his
There's a reason that every Goblin King they wanted to chose was handsome and making age appropriate music for a teenage girl of the time to listen to: Labyrinth is a coming of age story so there is a hint of blooming sexuality in Jennifer Connelly's character, but ultimately she is still young and when she overcomes the Goblin King we see that, for a time, she will remain on the threshold between woman and young girl. She does, however, mature. She learns to stop hiding behind her childish fantasies (instead just enjoying them without the escapism) and she even allows her little brother to share in her beloved stuffed animal. I always liked how they didn't mature her up all the way, because 14 is way too young to be losing interest in childish things (hell, you should never totally lose interest in them really).
“Nothing?! Nothing tra lala?!” I say this all the time and love when people get it.
So happy you guys watched this gem! Incredibly creative and so much fun!
@@burgeeburger9328 I say it all the time too 😂
People think Sarah got the door guard question wrong, but she was absolutely right, that is the only one question that will get you the right answer. People think she failed because she falls into the pit, but that is not "Buh-buh-buh-buh Certain Death". Every time something bad happens to her, it is because of her hubris. She gets cocky, and the Labyrinth has to knock her down a peg. It's another one of the lessons of adulthood that is the theme of the movie. To be humble and not brag about your small accomplishments, and take responsibility for your words and actions.
There's also the subtle fact that the whole setup for the puzzle is wrong, in that both guards cooperate in telling her the rules. Which means the rules themselves can't be trusted (since half of them come from someone who always lies) so the solution won't necessarily be the same.
In an alternate ending, once Sarah figured out the chant, instead of just fading out, Jareth smiles at her first, showing that in the end he wanted her to succeed. Its amazing how a simple smile could change the whole film's dynamic like that.
"That sounds like Elmo"... That IS Elmo (Kevin Clash)!
My interpretation of this movie is that the movie is all about maturity and imagination. At the start of the movie Sarah is a brat, everything is about her, nothing is fair and she's always the innocent victim. Jerith is the manifestation of her imagination: capable of remaking the world however *she* wants. But while your imagination lets you do anything, you can also be trapped by it when it runs wild. That's why everything are from things in her room, to her all of the toys and stories that she buries herself in are her imaginary world, and it's running wild.
Throughout the movie she has many realizations that are tied to maturity, such as realizing that sometimes things aren't fair (but that it doesn't mean that you're a victim, and you just have to deal with it). Realizing that all of the things that she cared so much about at the start of the movie aren't really so important (at the start she cares more about her toy bear than her brother, contrasted with her calling it all garbage and going to save her brother). Her final showdown with Jerith is resolves by her realizing that her imagination only has as much power over her as she lets it, and that realization brings her back to reality because she's now in control of her imagination.
And one final step of maturity: "should you need us" represents the fact that controlling your imagination doesn't mean you have to lock it up forever. Sometimes, every now and then, for no reason at all, it's okay to indulge in your imagination, as long as you keep a firm grasp on reality.
I'd add Ridley Scott's "Legend" and Henson's "The Dark Crystal" to your radar for similar feel films.
The holy trio of my childhood.
Seconded (or thirded)
Yes! Preferrably the US version because Tangerine Dream's score is to die for
Absolutely
@BoxOKittens agreed
The owl in the beginning is the first fully computer animated creature in a movie, ever.
Reactors scoff at it now but I can remember how beautiful and cool looking it was when it was first released. This movie at the theater! Wow.
@@burrichgrrl57 This movie was my childhood. Still love it.
@@burrichgrrl57 I didn't even realize it was cgi as a 6-year-old (although tbf, a CRT tv screen helps with that)
Jennifer Connelly and Phoebe Cates were my 80's crushes.
I'll definitely second Jennifer Connelly.Phoebe Cates never did anything for me,but Jennifer Connelly got the supreme compliment of being "insanely cute"..yeah I was a teenager.Now we're all older and she's a beautiful woman.
"I don't know David Bowie songs" as he talks over the intro song by David Bowie 😂🤣
Just a note, the whole "it was all a dream" thing from The Wizard of Oz was from the movie only. In the books, Oz was a very real place. Eventually Dorothy and her family relocate there to live.
I was going to make the same comment! There are about a dozen OZ books.
@@GruffyddFO4 watch tin man and the OZ
Tobias Matthew Froud. The baby who played Toby in the Labyrinth is the son of two of Brian and Wendy Froud who both. Both of which worked on production for the Labyrinth. He is now an artist, special effecters designer, and puppeteer.
Jennifer Connely was and still is stunning :). You should also watch Wilow and Lady Hawk for more great Jim Hanson puppet I recommend the StoryTeller 1987 great tv series.
OMG, I haven't seen Storyteller since it was on TV way back when. Thanks for the reminder.
I second the suggestions for both Willow and Ladyhawke.
Wow Lady Hawk! I haven’t thought about that one since I was a kid!
There really is a lot of deep symbolism in this movie. The scene with the garbage goblin lady teaches how materialism ultimately leads to destruction. She realizes that the material things she once valued were actually worthless things that only offered an illusion of contentment and satisfaction. Once we have that realization, the illusion crumbles, just like the bedroom walls did. It's a lesson that is very much lacking in modern times!!!
Ludo isn't a toy, he's based on the creatures from the book Where The Wild Things Are in her room.
Also the painting of the impossible stairways on her wall is by the artist M.C. Escher - always worth a look at his assorted works of art as its pretty damn trippy.
The word "ludo" is Latin for "play" or "game".
Technically, the works of M.C. Escher are lithographs, rather than paintings.
The ending message of this movie is one of the many reasons I love Labyrinth. In any other film Sarah would have "grown up" by completely rejecting/getting rid of all of her fantasy stuff. Instead, she shows maturity by her actions (like giving Toby her bear) but still admits that her love of fantasy and imagination will always be a part of her. Which is fitting considering this movie was made by a group of middle-aged men who were all huge fans of fantasy and storytelling.
Yes! Being truly growing up is understanding that you're childhood, fantasizing self is still an essential part of your life, no matter what you do.
Fun fact about the puppet of hogle, he is currently on display in the unclaimed baggage store in Alabama(a huge thrift store full of items found in lost luggage) because he was found accidentally abandoned in an airport.
Scared the crap out of the person who found the puppet. They thought they had stumbled upon a corpse.
He was in such a mess as he had deteriorated but they have restored him. He looks much better now.
I like to think he's got a regular poker night with the Mobile Leprechaun
easy to miss how well Jennifer Connelly performed in this film. shes's acting with puppets , a baby, and masked actors most of the time and does a great job convincing the audience that she's in this world.
I always love that you both pay close attention to the movie & catch the details. You are also not confused by things of the past. A true cut above the rest.
Fun facts about "Baby Toby". He was born in 1984. He designs puppets, can juggle fire (and has performed at a few carnivals), can walk on stilts, and currently studies film making. He also apprenticed at the Muppet workshop in New York. Seems like the film had quite an influence on him.
Another interesting fact, for myself at least, is that Cheryl McFadden was choreograph director. And when she's in front of the camera and acting, she's known as "Gates McFadden".
Toby’s parents are Brian and Wendy Froud, so he definitely had some very direct sources of influence.
I haven’t got to the end yet, so maybe you hit this in the trivia, but the baby is Toby Froud, son of Brian and Wendy Froud. Brian is a renowned fantasy artist who did most of the creature designs for this film and another Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal. Wendy fabricated many of the creatures in this film, but has worked on other projects such as The Empire Strikes Back where she created the original Yoda puppet.
Toby himself has grown up to be a puppeteer, sculptor, and SFX designer.
Brian Froud collaborated with Alan Lee on the seminal 1978 coffee table book "Faeries", which had a huge influence on 1980s fantasy design (and is still in print today). Alan Lee went on to be the conceptual artist & designer for Peter Jackson's _Lord of the Rings_ films.
Gates McFadden aka Beverly Crusher of Star Trek was one of the choreographers on this film!
SMELLLLLL BAAAADDDDDD!
The bog of eternal stench still makes me laugh almost 40 years later
There are even "The bog of eternal stench" signs for your bathroom as merchandise. Still thinking about buying one! 😄
"Bret, Bret wake up. It's David Bowie from the 1986 movie Labyrinth"
"Yeah, I know."
😂
This is bowie back to bowie, Can you hear me loud and clear man?! Oh yea man!
I was drawn in by this comments groovitational pull.
How far out are you, man?
I'm pretty far out
That's pretty far out, man!
I'm orbiting Pluto
Recognizing the name Sir Didimus in the Patreon read off was pretty fun!
I'm sure they were jumping up and yelling in joy when they clicked at the name 😅
My sister's favorite movie. She still holds Labyrinth parties every year on her birthday.
I got an idea for her: Labyrinth with absinthe. It's just what it says: I once had a Labyrinth watch party in which my friends and I would drink absinthe while watching this. The drunker we got, the wilder the theories about the movie meaning became.
@@la_beatrice That sounds pretty dangerous! 🥴😄
The baby had to be tired to cry, he was the son of one of the puppeteers 😅 and his name was really Toby. I think he’s involved in the field today
Yep, he's in the biz, and was a design supervisor on the Dark Crystal prequel a few years ago, which was also a Henson film, so full circle in a way.
@@rybockI love that!!
Toby Froud is the son of the conceptual artist (Brian Froud), and one of Henson’s puppet makers (Wendy Froud). Both of which worked on some amazing films.
Also, if i recall correctly they had to wait for him to get tired to cry and look scared because he actually loved the puppets and costumes and would start laughing when he saw them
They had to call him Toby, it was the only name he would react to. Understandable.
George, you've heard at least one Bowie song: Golden Years. In a Knight's Tale it was the modern song that they morphed into at the banquet dance.
dooo wop wop
Oooh oooo
"Jim Henson's the Muppet guy, right?" "I think so, I'm not sure." OMG, you guys NEED to react to The Muppet Movie! You're missing out. I seriously feel bad for you younguns that didn't get to grow up with the muppets.
I’ve watched even those who aren’t really familiar with The Muppets still be just utterly charmed by that movie, so all is not yet lost for those who didn’t grow up with it.
"I move the stars for no one."
Jim Henson was an absolute genius to have this vision and make it come to life. This was a VHS my sister and I rented from our local library back in the late 90s. Brings back memories of the good ole days.
(His good friend George Lucas also helped, but to keep the limelight off himself, Lucas refused to do interviews, ensuring that fans knew it was Jim’s project, not his.)
Frank Oz, of course, voice of Yoda and he was asked if he was interested to direct Harry Potter 2nd movie. He "retired" 2001 , does work now and then.
He did voice of several Muppets and Sesame street puppets, also puppeteer as was his parents, so natural career.
David Bowie or Ziggy Stardust , him being a costume freak this role was perfect.
We rented Labyrinth at least a dozen times per year for a decade, this movie is my childhood.
I love that George spotted the milk jugs. It’s a Henson Easter Egg. Happy hunting, everyone!
I've watched Labyrinth seemingly at least 100 times, never had I noticed the bottles of milk by the door in rhe corner of the screen. Gotta say, good add in by the props dept, and great eye catching that one the watch-through. One of the most magical watches for me going back to growing up in the 80s to now, and you just helped add a lil more magic for me, thank you
21:08 I *never* would've believed I'd hear a King's Quest shoutout on this channgel, but I'm extremely happy about it! (Also, "The Princess and the Goblin" was a hugely influential novel by Scottish author George MacDonald, one of the first modern fantasy novelists as we understand them today)
Once you dig into David Bowie's discography you will realize how many movies play DB's music. It's insane💖
Since Simone loves Star Trek TNG: The person who choreographed the ballroom scene was Gates "Dr. Crusher" McFadden (except she went by Cheryl McFdadden in the credits).
Gates also a bit part in "The Muppets Takes Manhattan".
Not to mention she's one of the dancers in the ballroom scene. I still keep looking to find where she is.
That’s amazing-l didn’t know Ms. McFadden was a choreographer in real life.
Shes the tap dancing dr after all. ;-)
McFadden worked at The Jim Henson Company as the director of choreography and puppet movement for Labyrinth.
She did all the scenes.
27:23 guys, it IS a painting by M. C. Escher.
What ever happened to all the Escher popularity? His use of mathematics in the optical illusions of some of his works is still so fascinating.
@@0okamino I have no idea! He's always been amazing.
Keep in mind that Jennifer Connelly was only 14 when they filmed this and Bowie was 38.
written by Monty Pythons Terry Jones
Damn. I miss Terry Jones.
That reminds me, there seems to be a severe lack of a _Time Bandits_ reaction on this channel. If they have, in fact, not seen it yet, I do believe they would enjoy it as well.
@@0okamino For Terry Jones movies, though, I highly recommend Erik the Viking (theatrical, not the "director's son's cut" abomination) and The Wind in the Willows (renamed for video as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride).
17:22 When my friends and I saw this back in the 80's, the theatre had unfortunately had a sewer pipe break that morning, so the whole place smelled like the Bog of Eternal Stench. It was the first known implementation of "Smell-O-Vision".
The girl is Jennifer Connelly who appeared with Tom Cruise in Top Gun Maverick. This film and rhe original Top Gun were both released in the summer of 1986. Flash forward to the first scene they share in Maverick at the bar...David Bowie's Lets Dance is playing on the jukebox as a nod to Connelly and the summer of 1986. I think even the number 1986 makes it into frame either at the bar or some other scene in the film.
Shoutout to George for keeping the phrase "moose knuckle" alive.
it helps that theres a store down the road from my house called Moose Knuckle
@@CineBingeReactPleeeeez tell us that is in Moose Jaw!
“Ooh, I like a good orb.” Well, this movie does have some good orbs
Y’ALL, this movie *was* my childhood. My dad made me rent it as a kid, which the idea about goblins scared me, but I loved it. It was played at everyone’s sleepovers growing up.
It shaped me so much that I bonded with my best friend over it in 6th grade, I had the soundtrack, the vhs, the dvd (when those were developed lol). I have art books, shirts, games, funkos, movie poster (next to Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark lol), all sorts of anniversary merch. My best friend even played the love medley from the sdtk at my wedding on the flute with her husband on acoustic guitar. This same friend got my daughter a “Babe with the power” onesie when she was a baby.
This movie is so iconic! Thanks for checking it out. ❤
That's awesome. My daughter had the same onesie!
10:24 - "This is one of my favorite things, this hands scene."
"I would have chosen Up."
Terry Jones (of Monty Python) was one of the chief scriptwriters on this film. His absurdist Pythonesque humor can be recognized throughout. He had an idea of little puppet hands, like the character "Johnny" performed by famous ventriloquist Señor Wences. (look him up!) Just a fist with a little face drawn on it: that was Terry's idea. In the minds and creativity of the Henson crowd- led by Jim Henson's son Brian (also the voice of Hoggle), they came up with a dazzling array of face-like arrangements of hands: eyes, noses, mustaches, mouths, etc. To make all the hands uniform, they sculpted literally hundreds of foam-latex gloves, all wrinkly and gnarled- so that whichever performers' hands were used in a shot, they would all match up and look similar.
Many of the choices Sarah makes are less than ideal. Since she came from Up and fell down, there is a logic to heading back Up to that path and continuing on her way. I totally agree that that would have bee the smart move. But it's easy to be an armchair adventurer; who knows what choices we would make, surrounded by fantastical worms and guards and hands and stuff?
I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as Simone watching the contact juggling.
To solve a labyrinth (or any maze) yes, there is a trick to it, and George was right. Simply decide which wall to follow and then place your hand on it and walk. No matter which way it turns, do not take your hand off the wall. You will eventually come to the end. It will work no matter which wall you pick, as long as you stick with the same wall the entire time.
Although both maze and labyrinth depict a complex and confusing series of pathways, the two are different. A maze is a complex, branching (multicursal) puzzle that includes choices of path and direction, while a labyrinth is unicursal, i.e., has only a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center.
Mazes and labyrinths are different. That trick works for a maze but labyrinths are more complicated and don't have branching paths. The only reason following one wall works is because a maze is literally just one long line and everything is connected, but in a labyrinth there are stand alone walls and paths and multiple entrances and the idea is to get to the middle, not get out of it. Essentially following one path could lead you out one of the many exits because from the myth it's intended to be impossible to navigate and waste the person's time until they're eventually killed by the minotaur or in this case she doesn't save her brother
This is not actually true. It's a very good trick yes, and _will_ work in many instances, but not always. It depends on how the labyrinth is constructed. Still, it's your best bet, even if it is not guaranteed to succeed.
This works for certain types of mazes and labyrinths. Specifically, ones that have only a single entrance and single exit, and both are on the outside edge of the maze. If either are in the middle than it may or may not work. To be fair, the type of mazes it works for are the most common, so it works more often than not. But there do exist mazes where it doesn't.
This trick works with any maze that you have to pass through to get to the other side.
However, if you have to find the center, the maze can be constructed in a way that you won't reach it with this trick:
It needs only one looping corridor around the center, and following the wall brings you only back to the starting point.
It is dependent on the topology (mathematical term) of the maze.
There are so many layers to this movie and its lore! So many lessons. I wrote one of my college Thesis papers on this movie and story and my teacher freakin loved it!
‘I too talk to my limbs!’
Nothing wrong with that, as long as you don’t take it to the extremity. 😁
There's a movie with Mick Jagger as a villain. The movie name is "Freejack" with Emilio Estevez , Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins and Mick Jagger.
Fun fact: The crystal ball twirling was all real. Juggler David Moschen (EDIT: Michael. Thx AricScooby!) basically played David Bowie's "arms" in that scene, which also means he pretty much had to do it all blind.
Small correction- his name is Michael Moschen. Butyou are correct, his hands stunt doubled for all the contact juggling of the crystal balls. Several of his performances are available on TH-cam, and worth checking out! A dedicated and talented performer.
I was going to comment on this too. Apparently he had to have his head near Bowie’s crotch so just his arms could be seen, as did many of the puppeteers in some scenes so many crew got very close to the “Bowie bulge”.
That same year, they carried that same trick over to _Sesame Street_ , just to see how far they could take it. The resulting character, Dexter the Juggling Monster, only lasted a couple of episodes, as they underestimated how hard it would be to juggle blind in a big monster suit.
Ah, the Fun Facters. Out and proud. Obvious trivia that anyone who has ever seen this film knows about.
@@16ozClawHammerNot a great fan of the term “fun fact”, but no one knows anything before they find out something for the first time. Not everyone who watches a film will automatically search out the behind the scenes stories.
Might be my favourite reaction to this ever - a brilliant mix of you both enjoying the artistry of it, and potential takes on the overall meaning - and also not taking it TOO seriously and just enjoying it without baggage. It's a wonderful film, and very much a touchstone of kids fantasy in the mid 80s.
Also, you noticed the bottles of milk on the doorstep outside the castle! No-one ever notices that! I thought it was a hilarious joke, and very British. The screenplay was written by ex-Python Terry Jones after all.
So now, you need to do "The Dark Crystal" (1982) - which while it has a much more sombre tone, is an absolute work of art in this genre. If your Patreon subscribers know their onions, this should already be on your radar. If not, they suck.
They set a record on that film, the Dance Magic song, there were more puppets on stage than people in the studio.
Supposedly, Toby Froud, the baby, wouldn't cry enough. The first big musical scene in the castle took a bunch of takes because he wouldn't cry. He's actually the son of Brian Froud, the main guy all the art design is based off of (well worth checking out Brian's artwork). Toby went on to become an artist, puppeteer, and filmmaker himself.
This movie has aged so well. I was so happy when I showed to my kids and they absolutely loved it. One them and their step sister did toby and Jareth for Halloween one year. Also that was Elmos voice you heard, same voice actor.
Simone: "Hi, and welcome to: SPF-1000000000."
Me: "I didn't know Simone was Irish!"
😂
The little baby became a puppeteer and works for the Jim Henson company.
"Sounds like Elmo..."
Yup! That's the same guy.
DANCE BABY DANCE!!!!
44 years old and still loving it. =P
Trivia: Dr. Beverly Crusher was the movement/dance coach for the movie ❤ the BTS doc is so good
20:48 - The ball (one of the very few scenes with real actors in it) was choreographed by frequent Jim Henson collaborator Cheryl Gates McFadden- known to us fans of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as Doctor Beverly Crusher!
In the years since this film came out, there have indeed been many groups who have organized Labyrinth Balls, encouraging fancy dressing up- either as specific characters from this scene, and/or make your own costume in this style: come to the party, dance, meet fellow fans, have a good time!
Years ago, I went to the Jim Henson exposition at The Henry Ford Museum, and I saw set for her bedroom, and yes, all the characters are toys in her room
Ahhh...The Bowie Bulge..
An object of Great Power and Facination to many teenage girls..and quite a few boys.
This film really is timeless and is just as good today as when it was released
The original script had them kiss at the ball and David Bowie was like no I'm not kissing a child
Also, just to add since there are no comments on this...Many women have said that david bowie in this role was their awakening when they were young. In one exception I find hilarious, someone said David Bowie's codpiece scared her so much that she realized she was only into women
He only did that with his 14 year old groupies
@@aidanrock8719 Yep, he did that a couple of times. Apparently about 10 years before shooting "Labyrinth". I find it possible that he realized the error of his ways and grew as a person.
@@tracy4290 Nah, he was probably bored with it by then, plus he understood the nature of the film.
Kissed a lot of different types.
There is a movie called Velvet Goldmine, which is meant to be a kind of Bowie biopic.
Re: prominent bulges. He was famously referred to (by a fellow musician he lived with at the time) as a "grandfather clock".
You'd never get it up on TH-cam and it probably wouldn't be worth many views if you did but I think Simone especially would simply adore "Fraggle Rock" (if she doesn't already). Everything Jim Henson touched has magic.
In Los Angeles every year they host the annual “Labyrinth Ball” . It’s a ticketed event, anyone can go. For the last few years it’s been hosted at the Biltmore Hotel downtown (famous old building, in a lot of films and music videos) and takes over the entire hotel.
Not sure about now (last time I went was a few years before the pandemic) but it use to be really popular with the comic con crowd, the people who dress up in professional costumes for cosplay. But also actual Hollywood costume designers who would plan/ make their own outfits for the party. People would go all out. Historical costumes, fantasy creatures, steam punk etc. Disney characters too and always one or two people would come AS Sarah or Jareth from the masquerade scene.
They rented every ballroom in the hotel and each room was a different party. Some had Jane Austen formal classical dancing (I’m sure Bridgerton had an impact here in recent years), some had waltzing and Irish jigs, some were EDM clubbing rooms.
It was a blast. They still host it, and I’m not sure if it’s the same, but it a really fond memory/ experience for me.
Expanding on what others have said: in the ST:TNG episode "Data's Day", Data asks Dr Beverly Crusher to teach him to dance, as it's revealed she was known as "the dancing doctor". That, of course, all refers back to [Cheryl] Gates McFadden's real life past as a dancer/choreographer.
I loved this film so much growing up, I got married last year and my dress was based on her dress at the ball.
I love this film, I first saw it in the cinema when I was 5 or 6 and it scared the shit out of me. Over the years it’s become a favourite.
It holds up so well as so much is done in camera, only the scene where they can remove their heads is seriously degraded by optical compositing.
The owl at the start was ILM’s first attempt at a real CG animal.
I love the anti-consumer approach of this movie. The 80s were having a very yuppie/consumerist heyday with everyone clamoring for more and better stuff, and Labyrinth was straight up like, “your possessions are empty and will trap you” lol. What actually saves her is art and community. This movie is scary, but kids today could really benefit from this kind of messaging in media.
The things we own end up owning us.
Consumerism is even worse today. That's 90% of the shoplifting right there. Either to get the Jordans/designer clothes/cell phones or to sell them for other stuff the thieves want to buy.
Except that a lot of creative pursuits require large collections of expensive possessions.
It’s saying when you grow up you have to put some of your childhood things behind. But every now and then you need to hold on to some of the things you treasured as a child.
Omgomgomg! First The Neverending Story and now Labyrinth! We're getting closer and closer to them watching Willow, The Legend and Dark Crystal! ❤
Fun fact: the dance choreographer was Gates McFadden, best known to Star Trek fans as Dr Beverly Crusher.
Oh... And the answer to the door riddle was, *they're BOTH liars!*
The old man was right abouthe way forward is sometimes backward.
Had they gone back to the start, they could have have taken the left brach option and gone straight to the castle!
The crazy CG owl is the first time a CG animal appeared in a movie. I saw the movie when it was first released. It was really cool at the time, but a little baffling. But it's aged really well. I think it's now earned it's place as a classic about growing up. Next up for you - Return to Oz! AND Purple Rain!!
I have fond memories of renting this movie from a video store as a kid, and then waiting for it to come to cable TV so I could record it and wear out the tape.
But my favorite memory of this film was the day about 14 years ago when my 8-year-old niece came up to me and asked "Uncle Cory, do you want to watch my favorite movie?" I said "Sure, what's your favorite movie?" expecting to hear something to grit my teeth trough. But she said "It's called... Labyrinth!" I played it totally cool, but man I scored so many Cool Uncle points that day by knowing all the bits, and all the songs, and by doing by long-since-perfected character impressions. After that, I introduced her to The Dark Crystal and The Neverending Story (a little too scary, I got a talking-to from my sister in law about the nightmares).
And then a week later, I found myself standing in front of a Redbox at the grocery store, attempting to explain to her that despite the similarities in the title and the fact that there was a little girl on the cover, that we should DEFINITELY NOT rent Pan's Labyrinth for her to watch.
Bowie did a fair amount of acting in films and onstage. I especially like him as Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ".
All of his '70s albums are worth hearing, true classics. His '80s were more eclectic, his "Let's Dance" pop phase was the height of popularity. He then formed a rock band Tin Machine which made 2 albums then he went solo again.
George in the Bog of Eternal Stench: “Attention viewers, most of the sounds you are now hearing are NOT BEING MADE BY ME! Won’t someone please stop the farting?!”
IMO, here's a good intro to David Bowie:
Films: The Man Who Fell To Earth, The Hunger, The Prestige
Songs: Space Oddity, Teenage Moondream, The Man Who Sold The World, Life On Mars, Fame, and the version of Heroes that starts with the lyrics "I, I wish you could swim, like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim" (the dolphin version is more raw and emotional.)
Collaborations: Under Pressure with Queen, and I'm Afraid of Americans with Trent Reznor
Interviews: The interview where Bowie criticized MTV for not playing black artists. Of course that is a moot point now that MTV became RTV.
Excellent recommendations! Just one note: I believe you meant "Moonage Daydream", not "Teenage Moondream".
@@tracy4290 Thanks for the correction.
I like to think David Bowie was more chaotic neutral than evil.
This is one of the few "coming of age" movies for women. My mom took my 17-year-old-self to it and we came out of the theater with me saying "Mom, I think the Goblin King was sexy?" and she agreed that that was a perfectly appropriate response.
Interesting trivia, the CGI owl in Labrynth is the very first completely CGI animal.
Also old enough to have seen this on its original release and I still adore it to this day. A perfect storm of talent was involved and it really shows.
I just wish there had been more merch! There’s *tons* available now obviously, but when it was released there was not much. Which is surprising given that George Lucas was involved! 😄
So glad you guys enjoyed it. Loved seeing you take in the spectacle & laughing at Terry Jones’ unique humour in the writing. It’s a very special movie for a lot of people. ❤️
RE your interest in attending a Labyrinth-themed masquerade party: There's a big one that's been going on annually for some time, in Los Angeles. Look up "Labyrinth Masquerade Ball 2024."
I had attended many years ago, and shared the dance floor with Toby (the baby in this film, then a young adult). Since he is a part of the puppeteer world, he had an astounding Satyr costume.
Seconded. I love the Masquerade ball. It lasts all weekend and is very worth the trip
You should definitely react to The Dark Crystal after this. The Dark Crystal is Jim Henson's first fantasy movie, directed by both him and his friend Frank Oz, who was Yoda in Star Wars and Miss Piggy in The Muppets. It's also his first collaboration with fantasy illustrator Brian Froud. The really awesome thing about The Dark Crystal is that there are no human characters. Every character and creature is a fantasy creature created through special effects puppetry. It's such a cool movie and one of the best effects movies of the 80's.
The orignial idea was even to have the whole film not have any understandable dialogue, with all the characters speaking not-understandable languages, and the whole thing being filmed more like a nature docummentary of a completly alien world. This got scaled back to just the Skeksis speaking their own language, and then all their lines got dubbed over in post-production because test audiences complained. The reason skekSil/the Chamberlain talk so weird is his speech patern was made for scenes where he was supposed to speak a language he was not fully fluent in to talk to the main characters.
9:33 - That kid (Toby Froud) grew up to be a puppeteer, his father is Brian Froud the art director and designer of the goblins.