Since Disney successfully reincarnated the Muppets back into multiplexes last year, children and nostalgia-obsessed adults (like moi) have a renewed love for Jim Henson’s sock and thread creations. Being Elmo: A Puppetteer’s Journey serves as an ideal companion piece–paying tribute to the performers whose human presence are hidden just inches beneath the camera frame. The subject of Being Elmo is Kevin Clash, a puppeteer who epitomizes the life of a Jim Henson employee: They may walk the streets freely without fear of paparazzi or stalkers, but once they pull a stitched creature over their arm, they can attract as much attention as Tom Cruise!
Clash is a middle-aged, African-American male from Baltimore who happens to be the face (and hands) underneath one of television’s most successful children’s figures: Elmo!
The little red “monster” was born in the late 1980s and joined the likes of Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Grover and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street. Archived footage showcases a very different Elmo in his initial debut and shows just how far the character has progressed (Elmo originally had much deeper voice). Elmo’s original puppeteer was dumbfounded in how to characterize the puppet, and in frustration, tossed the puppet over to Clash, who also struggled for inspiration at first. He soon became fascinated by a little child and decided that Elmo should replicate her naivety, curiosity, pureness and limitless amounts of love. The children viewers loved him back.
Two decades later, Elmo is now the primary poster-child for Sesame Street. Movies, books, home videos and, of course, annoying toys (“tickle me”) have propelled Elmo into an icon for toddlers. Clash–an exceptional storyteller–tells of his puppeteering origins and the obstacles he faced before making it to Sesame Street. When compared to other muppeteers, Clash is a late-bloomer. Sesame Street debuted in 1969 when Clash was only a child. He obsessed over the PBS program as well as Jim Henson’s later success, The Muppet Show.
Clash began constructing his own puppet creations and put on single-man shows for family and friends. Although teased by class mates, Clash pressed on and began performing for schools, including those for special needs children. Early footage shows that Clash had a real passion and a genuine gift for making children smile. After high school, Clash was hired to puppeteer characters for a local television show. He soon earned the attention of entertainers like Captain Kangaroo and his hero, Jim Henson.
The story as Being Elmo lacks any dramatic twists or heart-wrenching moments. Clash was raised in a happy household with parents who supported his obsession. Nevertheless, Being Elmo is deeply inspirational and moving. An extraordinary amount of footage presents Clash during different stages in his journey. Some of the most touching moments include Clash giving joy and laughter to children. Even at the height of his career, Clash continues to make them laugh; always answering requests by the “Make A Wish Foundation” whenever a child asks to meet Elmo.
There is an underlying sense of goodness throughout the documentary. Early in his career, Clash writes letters to Kermit Love, Jim Henson’s chief puppet designer and inspiration for a certain frog puppet. Kermit graciously accepts Clash’s requests to meet and invites him visit his workshop. The entire meeting is documented on video and we can see the undeniable joy in Clash’s eyes and the genuineness in Kermit’s mentor-ship, which eventually helps Clash get recognized by Jim Henson himself.
At the film’s conclusion, a similar scene is presented, except Clash is now a powerhouse in puppetry who shows a little boy around his studio. The boy is a true fan, even putting names to all the muppeteers pictured on Clash’s wall. Clash is as enthusiastic and as generous as his mentor.
It’s a shame the documentary sidetracks the specifics of Clash’s past. We learn that he has a daughter. Clash admits that he regrettably missed much of her childhood as a consequence for his celebrity status. However, the detriments of celebrity are brushed to the side in order to highlight Clash’s ultimate success story. Whatever is in hidden in Clash’s shadows are not visible in Being Elmo, but his generosity and humanity in undeniable–just like Elmo.
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