I first seen this on HBO in the early "80's and fell in love with it then and still love it now, some 19 years later. What a heart-warming tale of a widowed mother trying to raise her only son after "PA" passes away. Pa didn't leave them much, but they made do on what they had. Really a classic and a must see for every child and adult. I just loved the songs in this movie, they were classics in themselves. Even today, at the Christmas season, I still watch this movie, but now I watch it with my son.
60 Reviews
Nope. It doesn't get better than this.
Mr-Fusion5 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" sits securely on my short-list of annual must-see Christmas movie/specials. It's just not Christmas if this goes unwatched. The songs still hold up amazingly well (catchy as ever), the voices of Henson, Oz and Goelz as well as the puppeteering (not to mention the set) lend this story heaps of character, and the overall sentiment maintains the universal appeal to keep this thing relevant (Not bad at all for a 35 year-old movie).
It's the kind of special that's pure of heart and devoid of the usual holiday schmaltz; the kind that makes you thankful that you have a child to share it with.
9/10
It's the kind of special that's pure of heart and devoid of the usual holiday schmaltz; the kind that makes you thankful that you have a child to share it with.
9/10
Oct 2005 Release
pplane13 December 2005
There's a new, October 2005 release of Emmett's Jugband Christmas. This one contains an excellent 'making-of' video, made sometime in 2005. It contains a 'blooper' segment, also. It also contains clips of the pieces edited out of the original over the years.
Kermit has been removed from this version, released by HIT Entertainment (Kermit is now owned by Disney). Highly recommended, though.
Also included in the 'making-of' are the intricacies of having two 'Mom' performers. The singer first recorded the songs, then Frank Oz had to lip-sync 'Mom' to the songs, then Frank did 'Mom' with his own voice, then the singer had to re-do all of 'Mom's lines in sync with the video. Intricate, but it worked really well.
Kermit has been removed from this version, released by HIT Entertainment (Kermit is now owned by Disney). Highly recommended, though.
Also included in the 'making-of' are the intricacies of having two 'Mom' performers. The singer first recorded the songs, then Frank Oz had to lip-sync 'Mom' to the songs, then Frank did 'Mom' with his own voice, then the singer had to re-do all of 'Mom's lines in sync with the video. Intricate, but it worked really well.
The Best Christmas movie ever!
mjohnstone19 December 2002
This movie is a tender loving movie with lots of humor, it is a wonderful family movie. I remember every Christmas my brothers and I couldn't wait for this movie to show on HBO. The story is a version of the gift of the magi set with animals and a little twist on the story. The characters are adorable and you want to take them home. and who can forget the River bottom band? I highly recommend seeing this movie and making it a tradition in your home.
Achingly detailed, marvellously crafted; a gem.
pslock10 November 2001
Emmet Otter might be dated, but it's one of Henson's finest offerings. Not only is the story well written (without talking down to children), but the level of artistry in the models, backgrounds, puppets, whathaveyou is simply amazing. Frank Oz, Jim Henson, and their crew created one of the pinnacles of "Muppet" based entertainment proving, even after 20 odd years, Henson is STILL the master.
Absolute Classic...
pack_man9922 November 2003
So what if you can see wires on all the characters, this classic will remain a must view every year for my family and myself. Emmitt Otter's story is one that teaches us all, young and old, that the best things in life are the things that we take for granted. I am glad that my family can say after watching this gem, that "We're closer now than ever before".
The best, hands down!
aunt_pom28 December 2005
This year was the 28th annual showing of Emmett Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas (EOJBC) at my parents' home. It's our family Chanuka tradition! I was very happy to read all of the other glowing reviews of EOJBC. All of the characters are so great. My dad's favorite character is Wendel, and his lines, "Let's see...half a fifty cents, half a fifty cents..." and "Golly, you got mashed potatoes?!" My sisters and I all love to hate Gretchen Fox, (we wish she WOULD fall off the dock). And while we're on the subject of ol' Gretchen, does anyone else find it just a little convenient that she is one of the talent contest judges who casts her vote AGAINST the jugband and Ma? There's also that crotchety Old Lady Possum who micro-managerially watches Wendel and Emmet rebuild (NOT repair) her fence with her broom in hand, cawing, "Don't just stand around, boys! Ya got WORK to do!" I love the snake when he says to Chuck, "Geez, a guy should be grateful he's got shoulders!" and the bug-eyed fish when he condescendingly spits at the man in the street, "Oh, so sorry!Pbbfft!!"
As many times as I've seen EOJBC, I never tire of it. The scene in the ORIGINAL version with George and Melissa Rabbit's talent performance (gotta love those jazz paws!) absolutely trips me out to this day! I laugh so hard I cry! It was a crime that their scene was scrapped when the movie came out on cassette. Thankfully, that scene is back in on the DVD, but Kermit is gone. I wish the big companies would just put aside the copyrights for a while and reissue a DVD of the original version of EOJBC as it was first shown on HBO, complete with Kermit the Frog and George and Melissa Rabbit's stellar performance. I bet there are a lot of viewers out there who have no idea that George and Melissa were even there! In the version that cuts out their scene, you can still hear their music in the background as Harrison Fox is telling the jugband to get back inside before they miss their curtain call.
Not only are the characters fully developed with great personalities, but there are some great one-liners in the script. Will Possum closes the curtain after the first act, Carrots the Dancing Horse, makes a memorable exit Stage Left AND Right. Pulling the cords, Will drolly says, "It's gonna be a loooooong night," and shakes his head. Ever the gracious hostess, Alice "Ma" Otter welcomes Hetty Muskrat into her home to use the spinning wheel Ma keeps borrowing from her. As she holds a tea kettle in her hands, Ma looks around frantically and asks, "Now, where'd I put that teapot?" We are trying (unsuccessfully as of yet) to get my 4 year old niece to watch it, but she hasn't shown much interest yet. Maybe next year.
Paul Williams is a masterful songwriter and composer (Mr. Big Time Conductor, to quote Harvey). If you like his style, I highly recommend Bugsy Malone (1976), the all-kid casted gangster movie starring Scott Baio and Jodie Foster.
If you have any inclination to watch this movie, go for it. You will not be disappointed!
As many times as I've seen EOJBC, I never tire of it. The scene in the ORIGINAL version with George and Melissa Rabbit's talent performance (gotta love those jazz paws!) absolutely trips me out to this day! I laugh so hard I cry! It was a crime that their scene was scrapped when the movie came out on cassette. Thankfully, that scene is back in on the DVD, but Kermit is gone. I wish the big companies would just put aside the copyrights for a while and reissue a DVD of the original version of EOJBC as it was first shown on HBO, complete with Kermit the Frog and George and Melissa Rabbit's stellar performance. I bet there are a lot of viewers out there who have no idea that George and Melissa were even there! In the version that cuts out their scene, you can still hear their music in the background as Harrison Fox is telling the jugband to get back inside before they miss their curtain call.
Not only are the characters fully developed with great personalities, but there are some great one-liners in the script. Will Possum closes the curtain after the first act, Carrots the Dancing Horse, makes a memorable exit Stage Left AND Right. Pulling the cords, Will drolly says, "It's gonna be a loooooong night," and shakes his head. Ever the gracious hostess, Alice "Ma" Otter welcomes Hetty Muskrat into her home to use the spinning wheel Ma keeps borrowing from her. As she holds a tea kettle in her hands, Ma looks around frantically and asks, "Now, where'd I put that teapot?" We are trying (unsuccessfully as of yet) to get my 4 year old niece to watch it, but she hasn't shown much interest yet. Maybe next year.
Paul Williams is a masterful songwriter and composer (Mr. Big Time Conductor, to quote Harvey). If you like his style, I highly recommend Bugsy Malone (1976), the all-kid casted gangster movie starring Scott Baio and Jodie Foster.
If you have any inclination to watch this movie, go for it. You will not be disappointed!
A simply wonderful yuletide show
Woodyanders14 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Cheery Emmet and his kindly Ma are two otters who live in poverty in the quaint rural swampland community of Frogtown Hollow. Both want to buy the other a gift for Christmas, but neither has the money. So they both enter a local talent show contest in order to win the $50 dollar cash prize. This endearingly pleasant and tenderhearted show offers a marvelously delightful wealth of entertainment: the engaging and colorful characters, the brisk pace, the folksy, flavorsome down-home score, the polished photography, the hilarious talent contest show set piece (the split dancing horse is gut-bustingly bad!), the gentle, good-natured humor, the meticulous set and costume design, the catchy and charming songs ("Our World" is an especially lovely tune), the amazingly lifelike and personable puppets (Emmet in particular is adorable), and the sweet, upbeat tone all click just right. The positively astonishing mean'n'growly hard rock harshness of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band rates as a definite highlight. Moreover, the cast voice their parts with infectious aplomb: Jerry Nelson as Emmet, Marilyn Sokol as Ma Otter (her singing voice is truly heavenly!), Dave Goelz as Emmet's amiable porcupine best friend Wendel, Eren Ozker as the snippy Gretchen Fox, and Frank Oz as hostile Riverbottom Nightmare Band ringleader Chuck. But what really makes this program so special and touching is the irresistible glowing warmth that's prominent throughout which in turn makes it a complete joy to watch.
Über-cute...but too much singing.
planktonrules28 May 2012
Back in 1977, just after "The Muppet Show" debuted but before "The Muppet Movie", Jim Henson decided to make a project to help them work out the kinks for the upcoming movie. "Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" is that project--more ambitious than the show but not a full-length theatrical release like the movie. While the show isn't as as refined as later work (you can see strings when some of the characters move) but they did try some DIFFERENT techniques and styles of puppets. For the most part, it's quite sweet and successful--and mostly it's really, really cute. My only reservation about this sweet show is that there is A LOT of singing and it might have worked better with less. Heck, with just a few less songs I would have given this one a 9--but the songs tended to disrupt the story and seemed, at times, like filler.
As for the story, it's a reworking of the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi". However, instead of a husband selling his watch and a wife selling her beautiful hair to buy presents for each other, it involves poor Emmett and his mother trying to win a talent show so they can buy each other nice presents. Naturally, it doesn't work out as they expect--but it's all quite charming, nonetheless. Well worth seeing--particularly if you are a kid or a kid at heart.
As for the story, it's a reworking of the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi". However, instead of a husband selling his watch and a wife selling her beautiful hair to buy presents for each other, it involves poor Emmett and his mother trying to win a talent show so they can buy each other nice presents. Naturally, it doesn't work out as they expect--but it's all quite charming, nonetheless. Well worth seeing--particularly if you are a kid or a kid at heart.
This is my favorite Christmas special
sunset69648 December 2002
I just love "Jug Band Christmas" for the moral and the musical score. I did not get to see it for the first time until the 80's on HBO. I just loved it. I watched it everytime it was on but they no longer show it!! It was a big part of my holiday traditions. I miss it tremendously! I cannot believe that more people do not know about this movie.
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
cdg707200012 October 2005
This is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. The plot is great and that little Emmet is so cute. This is clearly one of Jim Henson's best films for all ages. There's comedy, drama and suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat throughout the entire movie. Don't miss out on this classic film! Run out and rent or buy it today. Don't waste any time in delaying. It's clearly a film that ranks up there with other top films such as Ghostbusters, Seven, Saving Private Ryan, Batman Returns, Chicken Run, Pride & Prejudice, Pulp Fiction and many, many more. If you haven't watched this movie yet, then you really haven't lived!
The otters were very inaccurate
dandymaninthespace7 October 2018
I went into this movie expecting it to contain two things: jugs and otters. It delivered in spades on the former, but in terms of the latter I found it rather disappointing. The "Otters" also act like they're all poor but this strains credibility as I've never seen an Otter with a concept of currency, much less a desire for a balanced budget. Overall I cannot recommend this as a children's movie as it reinforces several problematic views on the habits of Otters.
Christmas Tradition
irishchickmcginnis25 December 2020
If you can be patient with the songs, you have yourself an underrated Christmas gem
kevin_robbins3 December 2021
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) is a movie my daughter and I recently watched together on Amazon Prime. The storyline follows some poor otters that live on the river where most of what they have was left to them by their father. They do odd jobs for money and singing, and music is their primary source happiness. When a talent contest with a grand prize that could change their lives forever arrives in town, they need to decide if parting with some of their resources to make a living is worth the risk of winning the prize.
This movie is directed by Jim Henson (The Dark Crystal) and contains the voices of Jerry Nelson (Sesame Street, The Count), Marilyn Sokol (Crocodile Dundee 2), Frank Oz (Sesame Street, Grover & Cookie Monster), Dave Goelz (The Muppets, Gonzo) and Henson himself (Kermit).
The settings and creatures showcased in this film are so well done. You really get mesmerized by the setting and circumstances of the characters. The dialogue is good, but the songs do drag on a bit. I absolutely adored the gang in this, and the voices fit the characters perfectly. The storyline unfolds well, and I adored the decisions they had to make, the outcome of the plots and various sub plots and the ultimate conclusion.
If you can be patient with the songs, you have yourself an underrated Christmas gem. I would score this a 9/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is directed by Jim Henson (The Dark Crystal) and contains the voices of Jerry Nelson (Sesame Street, The Count), Marilyn Sokol (Crocodile Dundee 2), Frank Oz (Sesame Street, Grover & Cookie Monster), Dave Goelz (The Muppets, Gonzo) and Henson himself (Kermit).
The settings and creatures showcased in this film are so well done. You really get mesmerized by the setting and circumstances of the characters. The dialogue is good, but the songs do drag on a bit. I absolutely adored the gang in this, and the voices fit the characters perfectly. The storyline unfolds well, and I adored the decisions they had to make, the outcome of the plots and various sub plots and the ultimate conclusion.
If you can be patient with the songs, you have yourself an underrated Christmas gem. I would score this a 9/10 and strongly recommend it.
I liked it...
cloie8276 August 2005
I very fondly remember watching this movie when I was little. It never really mattered to me that Emmet and his mother didn't win the contest for the money because I got the brilliant message that it didn't matter that neither of them won the contest - what mattered was they love each other and were always going to be there for each other. The characters in this movie are truly memorable and the music is still some that I sing today. And really who could forget the part when the Jug band finally gets to perform with Ma as their lead singer? I am an avid fan of anything Jim Hensen and I love the fact that he created such a sweet movie that teaches a very important lesson to young children: material possessions are just that; what really matters is you as a person.
Beautiful and Clever
ojaymontreal2 September 2012
We originally saw EOJBC on CBC (public/commercial)in Canada, as they were co-producers. What's not to love about Emmet and company? We have a stuffed toy otter which we named for him. And have a few VHS copies which we watch every Xmas, with Kermit, who we think of as a Muppet version of Alastair Cooke, when he used to introduce the "Masterpiece" dramas on PBS. The songs by Paul Williams are spot on, and think of the "Nightmare" number as a spoof of all hard rock genre bands, except that it beats all the real live bands for quality of performance. The whole show is timeless magic. One of the most touching moments is when Alice (Ma) Otter tucks Emmet into bed and gives him a goodnight kiss. There are many memorable quotes, and as others have noted, some gems("...fall off the dock" maybe considered too malicious) have been deleted. This is one case where the movie is a great improvement on the book (which we bought), thanks to Jim Henson and the wonderful cast.
This Jim Henson masterpiece will age like wine
galaxy20694 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) is pure television magic. It represents finely orchestrated character puppetry of the highest order. Never have animal puppets created so much human emotional pull. Ma Otter seemed so real to me as a young boy growing up in a small southern town. She still reminds me of this tender old lady who would come by and wash (and iron) our family clothes for $20. That's how real she was/is to me. Ma Otter was a symbol of comfort.
Her son Emmet Otter is young, naive, determined and the centerpiece of this Henson gem. Emmet is a problem solver and is willing to help his poor Ma out any way he can. You also get to meet his friends, one being an obese beaver who plays the washtub bass. You also get to experience an Otter family annual tradition; hunting for the precious Christmas Branch. But the ultimate highlight is the talent show at the end...where Emmet's fabulous Jug-Band battles Ma Otter (and her sad, sad song) and a surprise entry: The Riverbottom Nightmare Band.
Whoever invented the Riverbottom Nightmare Band (Henson?) needs to be rewarded. One might assume that the audience will root for Emmet's Band or Ma (in the end), but the reality is that you'll get surprisingly turned on by the throbbing, hypnotic drudge of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band. Not only was there sound explosive and imaginative, but they also buried the other competitors. The Nightmare Band had enough creative vision and foresight to create an ultra-savvy and alluring stage spectacle. They also had this awesomely large spitting fish that squirted from a large water tank. Ma and Emmet's Jug-band never stood a chance. They were too emotional and eager for 1st place bucks. In the end they were ultimately destroyed by the Riverbottom Nightmare Band.
Her son Emmet Otter is young, naive, determined and the centerpiece of this Henson gem. Emmet is a problem solver and is willing to help his poor Ma out any way he can. You also get to meet his friends, one being an obese beaver who plays the washtub bass. You also get to experience an Otter family annual tradition; hunting for the precious Christmas Branch. But the ultimate highlight is the talent show at the end...where Emmet's fabulous Jug-Band battles Ma Otter (and her sad, sad song) and a surprise entry: The Riverbottom Nightmare Band.
Whoever invented the Riverbottom Nightmare Band (Henson?) needs to be rewarded. One might assume that the audience will root for Emmet's Band or Ma (in the end), but the reality is that you'll get surprisingly turned on by the throbbing, hypnotic drudge of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band. Not only was there sound explosive and imaginative, but they also buried the other competitors. The Nightmare Band had enough creative vision and foresight to create an ultra-savvy and alluring stage spectacle. They also had this awesomely large spitting fish that squirted from a large water tank. Ma and Emmet's Jug-band never stood a chance. They were too emotional and eager for 1st place bucks. In the end they were ultimately destroyed by the Riverbottom Nightmare Band.
I loved the mashed potatoes
utgard1411 December 2013
Charming Christmas special from Jim Henson, based on the book by Russell and Lillian Hoban. This sweet story is about dirt poor Emmet Otter and his mother. Unbeknownst to each other, they both get the idea to join a talent show in hopes of winning the prize money to buy a gift for the other. It's a sentimental tale with a great moral lesson and some nice songs. Wait until you get a load of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band! Try to find the uncut version if you can. Unfortunately, after Disney acquired the rights to the Muppets, some scenes were removed from the DVD releases. Still, whatever version you watch I'm sure you will enjoy this delightful Christmas special.
Magic without CGI
amesmonde7 December 2019
It may not be the best known piece of Jim Henson's work but it's technical test of what he would later create in his features.
Made in 1977 Henson offers a charming Christmas special with Kermit the frog opening the proceedings. There's snow and wonderfully crafted sets. With echoes of Wind and the Willows he marvellously captures the Emmet Otter's story with, music, song and puppetry in the days before CGI.
Made in 1977 Henson offers a charming Christmas special with Kermit the frog opening the proceedings. There's snow and wonderfully crafted sets. With echoes of Wind and the Willows he marvellously captures the Emmet Otter's story with, music, song and puppetry in the days before CGI.
This is one sad Christmas special.
courage199918 February 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this for the first time last Christmas thinking it would be a fun happy festive Muppet christmas special, but it turned out to be just the opposite. I felt sorry for Emmet and his ma to go through all that trouble to enter the talent contest to get money to buy each other a nice gift, and then the Riverbottom Nightmare band coming in at the last minute and winning the money. The Riverbottom Nightmare band was a pain in the butt. Poor Emmet and ma, all they have now is each other. This is one sad Muppet Christmas special. If you want to have real muppet fun for a happy holiday, I suggest something like "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street", "Elmo saves Christmas", or "The Muppet Christmas Carol" if you want to have a happy muppet holiday. Don't watch Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, unless you DO want to have a sad holiday.
The Best of Jim Henson's films
LzyDolpn18 December 2002
The brilliance of Jim Henson was that he could make schmaltz without seeming schmaltzy. This is an unabashedly sentimental movie (as one would expect a Christmas special to be) and it succeeds in drawing you into its sentiment, but it never loses that quirky edge that made his Muppets so much more interesting than most programming directed (ostensibly) at children. Who else could pull off making the antagonist an evil teddy bear who sings in a heavy metal band? Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is my favorite Muppet movie.
You have to see this one!
mmde-15 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is my all-time favorite Christmas-time movie. My parents taped it off HBO back sometime in the mid-80s, and we would watch it every year (and sing along to all the songs). I don't know why nobody out there seems to have heard of this movie, but it's definitely worth a look (unless you're one of those people who don't like sort-of sad stories, although it's not really a sad story when you think about it). When I was in college, I was organizing a Christmas-movie viewing and when I said I wanted to show Emmet Otter, not a single person knew what I was talking about! And it's such as shame, because the sweet story about how all Emmet & Ma really need is each other is a real classic.
Definitely check it out, even if you have to buy it.
P.S. There are many different versions out there - personally I like the Kermit-narrated version, with the shorter songs, but probably because that's the version my parent's taped off TV years ago (and the more recent VHS version I bought about 5 years ago cut out the great "...fall off the dock" line, which was a travesty, and the songs just seemed to drag a little too long, especially the final song).
Definitely check it out, even if you have to buy it.
P.S. There are many different versions out there - personally I like the Kermit-narrated version, with the shorter songs, but probably because that's the version my parent's taped off TV years ago (and the more recent VHS version I bought about 5 years ago cut out the great "...fall off the dock" line, which was a travesty, and the songs just seemed to drag a little too long, especially the final song).
one of the greats of Christmas stories
myfilm8316 December 2006
Alright.You like Muppet's?Well then you'll like these guys.The movie is an original classic,and you just have to love the otters.They're so darn cute.So what if you see the strings?They're freaking puppets!Most people making a low-budget film didn't have the funds to edit those out in 1977.But the movie is one to love.It shows us what people will do anything for a good Christmas,and then how crushed they are when it is ruined.But Emit & Ma Otter seem to forget how they lost,and then Ma is given the job of a lifetime...even though they've been dirt poor without Pa.It seems that the characters are thinking the same things as the movie goes on.If you haven't seen this movie,i highly suggest you watch it because of it's originality.
Lovely TV special! Very well done.
TOMNEL5 April 2006
Muppeteers: Jerry Nelson, Marylin Sokol, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz and Eren Ozker.
This is a great TV Christmas Special! It's about poor Emmett and his mother who are poor and whose husband/father just died. Emmett and his mother decide to do a talent show to get money for Christmas presents, but they need to sell/ruin each other's most prized possessions. Excellent music by Paul Williams including Ain't No Hole in the Washboard and Bar-b-que. Based on a book but made personal by Jim, considering he directs it and all the Muppet show stars are in it. Has a short opening with Kermit the frog also. I highly recommend it! Not rated. 52 mins.
This is a great TV Christmas Special! It's about poor Emmett and his mother who are poor and whose husband/father just died. Emmett and his mother decide to do a talent show to get money for Christmas presents, but they need to sell/ruin each other's most prized possessions. Excellent music by Paul Williams including Ain't No Hole in the Washboard and Bar-b-que. Based on a book but made personal by Jim, considering he directs it and all the Muppet show stars are in it. Has a short opening with Kermit the frog also. I highly recommend it! Not rated. 52 mins.
Nostalgic Christmas for Generation X'ers!
clpierce19779 December 2021
This is one of my best childhood memories, watching this with my mom and sister, as a child. Yes, you can see the wires, and other aids to help the puppets move, but this was one of the first of its kind. Just like most people's go-to Christmas movie may be "National Lampoons Christmas" or "A Christmas Story", this is my go-to Christmas movie, and always will be. I just hope, and wish, that more people give it a chance, especially with their children, and maybe new traditions will start.
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