Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

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Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

1977

48m

Drama

Musical

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Popcornmeter

100%

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9 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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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

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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

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Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Early Muppet TV special with warmth, tunes, critters.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 15, 2009

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Euan P

Perfect movie for kids and parents

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

Mike P

Very cute Christmas special from Jim Henson about a family of poor, put up on otters in an enchanted forest land somewhere; (taking it's cues from Wind in the Willows;)...who compete for first prize in a town Battle of the Bands. It's kind of an anthropomorphic episode of The Waltons. Recommended

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

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

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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

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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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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: Jim Henson
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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