Muppet marionettes

UK toy maker Pelham Puppets released two Muppet marionettes of Animal and Kermit the Frog. These are the only official Muppet marionettes ever produced.

The line was announced at the Birmingham Toy Fair in 1977. Bob Pelham's original puppet design for Kermit was as a hand puppet to be released later that year. The design was rejected, however, as it looked too similar to other Kermit soft toys on the market. Instead, it was decided to produce a series of marionettes with the likenesses of several Muppets. Prototypes of Rowlf the Dog and Animal were first announced for a future 1978 in an issue of Pelpup News, as well as an upcoming release of Kermit and Miss Piggy. Pelham felt that the characters did not translate well as marionettes, resulting in a limited production of Animal in 1978 and Kermit after Pelham's death in 1980.

Alongside the unreleased Rowlf and Miss Piggy marionettes, a Fozzie Bear was also announced but never released.

Kermit

One Kermit was released with a dark green paint and thinner pupils.

Another Kermit was a brighter green with wider, more accurate pupils.

Animal

Animal with a molded body, moving mouth, and drumsticks.

Animal with a wooden body, moving mouth, and drumsticks.

Prototypes

1977 Animal prototype

1977 Rowlf prototype

Rowlf marionette prototype

Miss Piggy marionette prototype

Marlborough Times newspaper featuring Bob Pelham with a protoype Kermit hand puppet.

Bob Pelham with Kermit prototype 1977