Grade, said Bernie Brillstein, “was the only one who understood” Jim’s conviction that the Muppets could work on the big screen, and listened and nodded enthusiastically as Jim made his pitch. It wasn’t until Jim mentioned the budget he had in mind that Grade finally arched an eyebrow. At a time when most Disney movies were budgeted at just over a million dollars, Jim was asking for $8 million for his film. As always, Jim’s “whim of steel” was tough to resist. “Lew Grade, being a true gentleman, went ahead with it,” said Brillstein admiringly.
