Uploaded June 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY OF THIS MATERIAL!!!
Here's a recently rediscovered rarity that hasn't seen the light of day in over 40 years! I tried doing as much research on this special and song as I could, but there was virtually nothing online about it, so I'll put here what I do know.
This special, named "Cleo" was an ATV production that aired in 1978, the exact date is unknown to me. Here, Rowlf the Dog and Cleo Laine sing a song, presumably called "I Want a Simple Song", with a melody loosely based off of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke". This is the only Muppet appearance in the entire special. According to the credits, Rowlf the Dog was performed by Jim Henson, and Louise Gold right-handed him.
The reason this audio is so distorted is because goodness knows how long it's been buried in storage, so from the looks of it, this tape was not in good condition when it was retrieved.
Also starring in this special are Helen Gelzer, Michel Legrand, and John Dankworth, along with Jack Parnell and His Orchestra.
(P.S. Sorry for the time code, it's just the way I got it.)
I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY OF THIS MATERIAL!!!
Here's a recently rediscovered rarity that hasn't seen the light of day in over 40 years! I tried doing as much research on this special and song as I could, but there was virtually nothing online about it, so I'll put here what I do know.
This special, named "Cleo" was an ATV production that aired in 1978, the exact date is unknown to me. Here, Rowlf the Dog and Cleo Laine sing a song, presumably called "I Want a Simple Song", with a melody loosely based off of Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke". This is the only Muppet appearance in the entire special. According to the credits, Rowlf the Dog was performed by Jim Henson, and Louise Gold right-handed him.
The reason this audio is so distorted is because goodness knows how long it's been buried in storage, so from the looks of it, this tape was not in good condition when it was retrieved.
Also starring in this special are Helen Gelzer, Michel Legrand, and John Dankworth, along with Jack Parnell and His Orchestra.
(P.S. Sorry for the time code, it's just the way I got it.)
![Rowlf The Salesman (1966 IBM Film) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wtaI18Yq59s/mqdefault.jpg "Rowlf The Salesman (1966 IBM Film) [4K]
Firstly, Id like to give a HUGE thanks to FT Depot for scanning & restoring this film out of my collection!!! They do great work over at their channel, go check em out!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aNN-LQ7nAl8cW9xX-hv8w
Secondly, let me apologize for the heavy audio noise and pillarboxing, I wouldve fixed it in editing but didnt want to risk any quality loss from exporting.
Finally, I should mention, if it isnt already clear, this film (which never had an official title) is missing about 45 seconds from its beginning. Muppet Wiki states The film opens with some brief behind-the-scenes footage of the taping of The Jimmy Dean Show, followed by scenes of Rowlf outside the studio theater greeting fans, smoking cigars lit with money, and riding in a limousine. Out of all things to cut out!!! Bah. But yeah! This! In watchable quality! After years and years and years! Enjoy!")
