Hey, That's Me! - A Commentary Podcast

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) with chief puppeteer Dave Barclay

Episode Summary

Brian and Patrick watch WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988) with chief puppeteer Dave Barclay. Dave Barclay is a British puppeteer, animatronic designer, and supervisor best known for his pioneering work in film puppetry and effects, spanning major franchises like Star Wars and collaborations with the Jim Henson Company. Born in London to actor parents Ann and Michael Barclay, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and later founded the Pex Puppet Theatre, Barclay was immersed in puppetry from age four, performing marionettes, glove, and rod puppets alongside his family. His professional career began at 19 when he joined Lucasfilm and Stuart Freeborn's team for The Empire Strikes Back (1980), assisting in building Yoda and performing its eyes for puppeteer Frank Oz. Barclay's notable contributions include serving as chief puppeteer for Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi (1983), where he also provided the on-set voice; constructing 27 puppets as the first British puppet maker for The Dark Crystal (1982); and collaborating with Henson on Labyrinth (1986), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), and The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), doubling for several Muppet characters. He innovated rigging techniques for real-time cartoon interactions in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and performed marionettes in Team America: World Police (2004). His animatronic supervision for the cat Mr. Tinkles in Cats & Dogs (2001) earned him an Academy Award nomination in visual effects.