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Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
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Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Find all by Sony Pictures
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Theatrical Release: December 2, 1977
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
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Starring: Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Eren Ozker
Originally a special for HBO, this Jim Henson production (he also directed) was one of the first real forays into the more realistic, less vaudevillian direction for the Muppets. It also included Frank Oz (Muppeteer), Paul Williams (songs), and Jerry Juhl (script), some of the Muppet Show's usual suspects. Emmet Otter and his jug band are trying out in the local talent show, but they face fierce competition from a gang of toughs, the Riverbottom Gang and their rock band. Perhaps the most notable thing is the creation of a sense of poverty and want that suffuses the little production. Even Emmet's mother, who sacrifices her washtub to further Emmet's cause, gets in the act. Fine Christmas viewing for all ages. --Keith Simanton
User Submitted Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Reviews
March 23, 2007
emmit otter is great..
My kids loved this show when they were little all the way up to growing up at 25 my son still liked this little film..
February 25, 2007
Great Family favorite
I loved this movie when I was kid and now I have bought it for my kids. This teaches of sacrifice and working together to make things ok. Everyone should have this movie in their library.
January 10, 2007
Gift
Bought this as a gift for my husband to replace his VHS copy. Cute little movie, very appropriate for small children, feel good message, one small part in town with the "bully" where he screams "Shut UP!" which I wasn't too happy about, but you use your own judgement with small children. Overall a good addition to your muppet movie collection.
January 10, 2007
Emmit Otter
This is the one with Kermit the Frog in the intro. Kids still love this story.
December 19, 2006
There is NO unedited version available . . .
The original, full-length version of this classic is not available anywhere, for any cost. If you watched this on HBO growing up, you will not be able to find the same version. There was a VHS version that has since become unavailable. There never was a full-length, unedited version available on DVD. Even the version with Kermit on the box has been signigicantly edited. This is what's availble. It sucks, but for $10.00, it might do to hold you over until the people at Henson Productions get their act together.
August 16, 2005
Our Christmas Tradition
I've loved Emmet Otter since I was little, and now this video has become a Christmas tradition for my family. I do miss Ma telling Mrs. Fox to fall off the dock, and I don't care for how they show more acts at the talent contest. But most everything I really love about this movie is still here. The songs are so catchy and fun, and we have them all memorized. The characters' voices are so gentle (aside from the Riverbottom Nightmare Band). But most importantly, the story teaches little ones about the true meaning of Christmas and giving. This movie definately isn't just for kids, and I highly recommend it.
March 27, 2005
two versions; but i want the one i remember!
Childhood delivered many treasures, among them the beloved Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, which was (in my childhood) shown on HBO annually. My brother and I adored this story in which two otters (a mother and son) each sacrifice something that is not only important to but necessary to the livelihood of the other in order to give her/him something s/he truly wants for Christmas. Unfortunately, the sacrifice proves to be for nothing, but both forgive each other and also praise the value of having the courage to take a risk. It turns out that all is NOT lost for this pair, and they manage to "win" something possibly even better in the end than what they were hoping for.
However, the problem with this particular childhood treasure is that, first of all, it stopped being shown on HBO and was not on for a number of years. Then later, it was shown on Nickelodeon ir maybe ABC. Fine and dandy in some other incarnation. When it was finally released on video and DVD, which certainly sent my sentimental adult self over the moon with glee, I was totally dismayed and horrified to find that some fine, funny and important scenes and lines were removed. In one scene, Ma Otter is conversing with Gretchen Fox, and as the haughty Fox trots off without listening to Ma Otter, Ma Otter utters under her breath, "I'd really like it if you'd... fall off the dock." (Or something similar.) That line was removed completely, and immediately after this occurs, a possum fishing on the riverside laughs and says, "That's telling her, Alice." ??? But this line from the possum does not even make sense because Alice Otter did not say anything in this butchered version of the film. I don't know WHY this was removed; maybe it was just seen as "not nice" in the political correctness that rules these days, but I would not say I am worse off for having seen the version with this very funny and appropriate phrase in the original. There are other changes in the film that were resoundingly disappointing; I know I am not alone in being disappointed because I have seen other reviews expressing the same letdown. People don't want their cherished memories tampered with! This film is STILL a treasure, and even though I am an adult, I still watch it every year, loving the characters and loving the songs... enjoying the rambunctious nature of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band, loving all the creative and wonderful puppets and feeling a special sort of nostalgia that is impossible to duplicate in any other way. I just wish that this film were duplicated PRECISELY as it was when it was originally released. Only then would it be perfect!
December 21, 2004
Emmet Otters JugBand Christmas
This is a great classic that I watch with my children every Christmas eve. It shows the true meaning of love. I also would like to say that I bought mine 2 years ago in a mall at one of the movies stores and only paid 19.99 for a brand new one on DVD. So please do not try to rip people off it is a horrible thing to do.
December 1, 2004
A charming Hinson hit!
Only Jim Hinson could use such charming hand puppets to tell his story so that children (and adults) can understand the meaning of love for our fellow man. All the little otter freinds in Frog Hollow tell us a charming story of love and devotion. The original music and songs are easy for "our little otter pals" to sing. The magic in Hinson's story is one we can all remember for many years to come. It doesn't matter if the version is the original which was produced in the 1970's or this new version, the meaning that Hinson wanted to tell comes through in every frame of the film.
November 27, 2004
CLASSIC
I AMM 33 YRS. OLD AND I REMEMBER THIS MOVIE WHEN I WAS A KID. I LOVED THE MOVIE THEN AND STILL LOVE IT NOW. OUR THREE CHILDREN (AGES 10, 6, 2) ALSO LOVE THE MOVIE WHICH TO OUR FAMILY MAKES THIS A TIMELESS CLASSIC.
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