Wow. This is my favorite movie and I just assumed David Bowie learned to manipulate the crystals for the part.
I'm a big fan of David Bowie and thus a big fan of Labyrinth. Given Bowie's capacity for awesomeness and weirdness, it has never once crossed my mind that maybe David Bowie couldn't do all those tricks with his crystal balls as seen in the movie. But as this behind-the-scenes clip, director Jim Henson actually had juggler Michael Moschen slouch behind Bowie in every ball scene, with his arm thrust through Bowie's sleeve, doing the tricks without seeing them. Madness! And yet, I can't help but feel a little disappointed to learn that it wasn't one of Bowie's talents. Oh well. I guess they can take away his balls, but they can never take away his giant package. (Via io9)
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Was it not always obvious that those weren't Bowie's hands doing the ball jugglery?
Bowie doesn't care, he's still free; you can't take his package from . . . he.
I pretty sure this was mentioned in the DVD extras, as well as the fact the choreography was done by the chick who played Dr. Crusher in Star Trek TNG
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I still remember a great line in a recap of this movie: "It takes a truly unique talent to be surrounded by Muppets and still be the most bizarre person in the room."
" Oh well. I guess they can take away his balls, but they can never take away his giant package."
Unfortunately, they can. David Bowie's massive bulge in Labyrinth was formed by a dancer's bell, a jockstrap-like device to protect the Goblin King's junk. Bowie wore it because he was surrounded by puppets who were crotch-level, and didn't always have his testicular fortitude in mind while rushing about blindly.
I've seen 'Labyrinth' several times and never knew someone else did Bowie's juggling act. It looked that convincing.
Michael Moschen was Penn Jillette's first performance partner........they juggled together
Wow, I had no idea as well. Given the fact that I only saw the movie for the first time earlier this year, that impresses me even more.
You have to give Henson credit; whether he intended or not, it was incredibly meta for him to have a person 'puppet' for another person's actions in the movie...
lol had to laugh at that ball joke for nothing can compare to bowies package including when he was in Labyrinth for figured david might have had some pro juggling his balls
And now Rob breaks the record for the most outdated news. I've seen this video in 1992, and it was already old.
Anyaway, paragraphs?
If you thought his work in Labyrinth was fascinating, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=OZ9F45jMdhQ
Wasn't this on the DVD, I've packed mine away and I don't recall. Either way, Michael Moschen is THE MAN when it comes to this.
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@xenothaulus I think the Fushigi is especially ridiculous because I'm familiar with this type of thing from my local Renaissance festival, which has /always/ had a booth or show related to it. I think it's called "sphere play" ...which sounds like an awful fetish to me now.
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Why has this been making the rounds this week? Michael Moschen's name was right in the opening credits. I'm pretty surprised that so many fans of the film did not already know this. Or should I say "fans." Zing.
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This must be the week for Goblin King/testicle jokes. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
@Frizzo_the_Clown Might as well keep it going.
Iman is now second to handling Bowie's balls this well.
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Michael Moschen is one of the greatest jugglers ever, and he can do some really crazy stuff. I saw him live a long time ago, and he is simply amazing to watch.
