Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

1977

48m

Drama

Musical

List

100%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Emmet and Ma Otter are very poor, but they are very happy and talented singers. Christmas is around the corner, and they both want to get the other a very special present. The prize in the talent show is $50. Both Emmet and Ma get a song ready for the competition; Emmet forms a jug band, and Ma practices alone, to vie with the Riverbottom Gang.

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Mike F

Amazing what they did with those otters back then. But the music is terrible.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/23

Full Review

Jerry S

It's not even a real otter. 48 minutes waste of my time.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/30/23

Full Review

S S

I loved watching this as a child and now, I watch it every year. So sweet and simple, with a wonderful message. It reminds me of what's most important, not just at Christmas, but in our lives. Love the songs and the sweet puppets.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Alec B

A Boomer/Gen X family classic, Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas may not hold much weight for recent generations, but with Frank Oz puppetry, this holiday special still has a special place in the hearts of many.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/26/22

Full Review

Gene D

One of my favorite holiday specials and Muppet productions, showing both the hardships and dignity of hardworking poor people. Heartfelt Paul Williams songs, Jim Henson and company's technical wizardry, and an uplifting tone -- I only hope modern audiences can appreciate it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/22

Full Review

Crystal A

I have loved this movie since I first saw it as a little kid. I bought it on VHS, DVD, and on Amazon. I have made it a family movie that my children and I watch every year at Christmas and I hope to pass it on to my grandchildren someday. The music is wonderful to listen to and the remake of the story "The Gift of the Magi" is just a joy to watch. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this wonderful movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/22

Full Review

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Jim Henson

Director

Jerry Nelson

Emmet Otter, Weasel

Frank Oz

Chuck

Marilyn Sokol

Ma Otter

Dave Goelz

Wendel, Pop-eyed Catfish

Richard Hunt

Charlie, Lizard

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Noel Murray

AV Club

The kind of Christmas special you could wrap in tissue when the season's over and store carefully in a box in the attic.

Oct 23, 2018

Full Review

Tom Santilli

AXS.com

Dec 19, 2018

Full Review

Consequence of Sound Staff

Consequence

While these one-off characters aren't as popular as their Muppet counterparts, Henson's team, including the great Paul Williams penning songs, brings to life a charming tale of how selflessness can lead to a rare occurrence.

Oct 23, 2018

Full Review

Nathan Kamal

Spectrum Culture

This isn't the laziness of rotoscoped film or endless looping backdrop theaters; it's the dedication of true professionals putting something precise as clockwork together.

Oct 23, 2018

Full Review

James Plath

Family Home Theater

That rowing scene? It's the equivalent of watching a ventriloquist work his dummy while drinking a glass of water. Such technical wizardry abounds in Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

Rated: B+

Jan 16, 2018

Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Early Muppet TV special with warmth, tunes, critters.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 15, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

Emmet and Ma Otter are very poor, but they are very happy and talented singers. Christmas is around the corner, and they both want to get the other a very special present. The prize in the talent show is $50. Both Emmet and Ma get a song ready for the competition; Emmet forms a jug band, and Ma practices alone, to vie with the Riverbottom Gang.

Director: Jim Henson
Producer: David Lazer
Screenwriter: Lillian Hoban, Russell Hoban, Jerry Juhl
Production Co: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Genre: Drama, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 26, 2014
Runtime: 48m

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