Character: Mahna Mahna
Hand type: Poseable arms and fingers
Builder credits:
Pattern and mouth plate fabrication – Wally Wingert with special assistance by Drew Massey
Ostrich feather application – Drew Massey
“Wink/blink” mechanism – Wally Wingert and Drew Massey
Special tailoring – Drew Massey
Seamstress – Maggie Roberge
Fabrication assistance – Steve Troop, Alex McGee; Alex in Wonderland
Height (down to his “popsicle stick”): 27”
Notes: His eye sockets can both wink and blink, thanks to strands of monofilament that run through the eye sockets and down into the puppet’s head and body. The lines of monofilament are protected by small vinyl tubing that’s attached to the inside of the puppet’s body.
The lines run out the bottom of the puppet and are attached to a wooden tongue depressor (which Drew refers to as “the popsicle stick”). By tilting the depressor right, the right eye will wink. By tilting the depressor left, the left eye will wink. And by pulling the depressor straight down, both eyes will blink. If you lower the depressor slightly, he adopts a sad look.
I was assured by Drew Massey, who has worked for the Henson Company for many years, that this is how the original puppet was fabricated back in the 1960s.
In certain pictures and video that show Jim Henson holding the puppet, the tongue depressor can be clearly seen hanging out the bottom of the puppet.
Since I’ve always considered Mahna to be my “spirit Muppet,” I contacted a builder in 2018 to make him a reality. That puppet was my first Mahna Mahna replica. I’ve always considered Mahna to be my “spirit Muppet.”
While looking for suitable green fur for his vest, I came across some wonderful “dusty green” faux alpaca fur on-line. When it arrived I realized it would also make a great Oscar the Grouch; information that I filed away for future reference.
My first Mahna Mahna replica puppet made his public debut at 2018’s Wonder Con in Anaheim, CA.
As I continued building Muppet replicas throughout the early 2020s, I decided to make a second Mahna Mahna myself; one that more closely resembled the original 60’s puppet. I felt that the first one I had made was too “off-model” and I thought I might be able to better capture the look if I tried it myself.
Certain aspects of this replica posed puzzling issues, so I called my pal Drew Massey (a long time puppeteer and puppet builder) for assistance. His help proved invaluable in creating the perfect Mahna Mahna replica for my collection.
Trivia: To my knowledge, the original Mahna only winked his eyes individually in one appearance; on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” After that, Mahna only blinked both eyes simultaneously in the rest of his TV appearances. I was so taken by the winking feature on the Sullivan show, that I had mine built with those specifications.
It was a real thrill to be able to take my new Mahna onto the Henson Studios lot in Hollywood, after a performance of “Puppet Up!” While I was there I ran into fellow Voice Actor and “Garfield Show” castmate Audrey Wasilewski.
After the show Drew Massey poses with Mahna, me, and Angi Griffin.
I was also able to get a shot with “Puppet Up!” host Patrick Bristow.
And the highest honor of all, a shot with Brian Henson! When he saw the puppet he said, “HEY! Mahna Mahna!”