Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas is by far one of our most favorite Christmas movies of all time. Back in the day HBO always showed the Jim Henson creation throughout the entire month of December, but we've noticed that the pay movie channel has removed the classic from its roster for the past 5 or so years. WHY?!?!?! If you haven't seen Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas then you MUST see it. Here's some more info from Wikipedia: Here's a little clip from this magnificent movie.....Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas was a children's story by Russell Hoban first published in 1969. It was later made into a TV Christmas special by Jim Henson. The plot is reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry.
The story tells about Emmet Otter and his widowed mother, who each want to buy the other something special for Christmas. They each are aware that the other wants something very particular and, unfortunately, very expensive.
Emmet, with the help of his friends, comes up with the idea of putting together a jug band and entering the local talent contest, which has a prize of $50. To do this, though, he has to punch a hole in the bottom of his mother's metal washtub to make a bass. Emmet's mother, meanwhile, takes the tool chest Emmet inherited from his father and pawns it to buy fabric for a new dress, so that she also might enter the talent contest. Neither is aware of the other's intentions or actions.
Also entering in the talent show at the extreme last minute is the Riverbottom Gang, who have put together a rock group. There are some run-ins between everyone leading up to the big event. Unfortunately, although Emmet's mother and the Jug Band get an excellent reception, the Riverbottom Gang wins the contest
On the way home, Emmet's mother consoles herself by humming while one of Emmet's friends plays the same tune on a kazoo. Suddenly, she realizes that their talents could work together and they improvise a duet with her song. As it happens, they are in earshot of Dr. Hopper's restaurant and the proprietor is so impressed at the group's talent that he hires them on the spot as regular entertainers for the business.
The original special was produced for HBO in 1977. It ran on that station yearly until 1979. In 1980, a heavily edited version began airing on ABC. This new version featured shortening of some songs and scenes, but also expands other scenes and songs. It also features the addition of a voice-over by Kermit the Frog. This ABC-edited version also began being aired on HBO in 1981. Because the later edit aired on ABC and HBO through the 80s, it is the more-widely known version of the special. The original 1977 version is currently available on DVD (with the "missing" material available as special features).
3 comments:
I loved that movie when I was little. I too was also upset that they stopped showing it each year at Christmas. I went out and bought the DVD and I sit down with my kids and watch it every Christmas. It is a classic in our house!
This shows that even the muppets can land on TV now and again, in between the next realty TV show.
The Hensons are grabbing media attention lately.
If you noticed during Cookie Monsters SNL audition, he's more mature with an expanded vocabulary.
The British media has his cookie chomping as a "Noshing Term"
AHH! Nom Nom Nom Nom!
On Youtube, check out "Cookie Monster Metal"
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