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Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

Not Rated | | Comedy, Drama, Family | TV Movie 4 December 1977
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas Poster
Clip
2:00 | Clip
A poor otter family risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas.

Director:

Jim Henson

Writers:

Lillian Hoban (book), Russell Hoban (book) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Marilyn Sokol | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win. See more awards »

Videos

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Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jerry Nelson ... Emmet Otter / Weasel / Doc Bullfrog / Melissa Rabbit / Yancy Woodchuck (voice)
Frank Oz ... Chuck / Ma Otter (assistant) (voice)
Marilyn Sokol Marilyn Sokol ... Ma Otter (voice)
Dave Goelz ... Wendell / Pop-eyed Catfish / Will Possum (voice)
Richard Hunt ... Charlie / Lizard / George Rabbit (voice)
Eren Ozker Eren Ozker ... Gretchen Fox / Hetty Muskrat / Mrs. Mink / Old Lady Possum (voice)
See full cast »
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Storyline

Emmet Otter and his Ma are dirt-poor, but very happy and good singers. But as Christmas is around the corner, both of them want to get something special for each other. And the talent show prize is $50! So, Ma gets a song ready, and Emmet forms a jug-band with his friends. But the Riverbottom Gang, a bunch of rich kids with killer electric band equipment are going to be tough competition. Written by Kathy Li

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

reference to the gift of the magi | christmas | otter | jug band | anthropomorphism | See All (12) »

Taglines:

A Merry Musical Treat For The Whole Family! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical

Certificate:

TV-G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

On the documentary about the making of the show on the DVD, singer/composer Paul Williams says that when Jim Henson asked him to write the songs for it, Henson explained that the show as going to be a "trial run" for a proposed Muppet movie to check out whether the Henson company could handle certain technical tasks needed to produce a full-length theatrical feature. When The Muppet Movie (1979) came out two years later, Williams also wrote the songs used in that film. See more »

Quotes

Ma Otter: A person's got to take some chances or life will never come to nothin'.
See more »

Alternate Versions

2001 DVD version as pictured - DVD starts out with Kermit riding his bike along the river - Kermit - "Hi all! This is Kermit the frog and I'm here to tell you the story about Emmet Otter's - runs into sign while riding his bike - That's uh Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas. Uh, it's a good thing I didn't damage the sign here. You'll notice that it points the way to Frogtown Hollow. That's where Emmet and his may lives. Somebody's coming." Car drives up with a snake, fish, frog, weasel and a bear. Snake - "Hey, look it's a frog!" Weasel - "Nah that's a toad. Frogs ain't that ugly right, Chuck?" Kermit - "Wait a second you guys." Fish - "Hey Chuck-o You see anything you like?" Chuck - "How about the scarf?" Fish - "You got it." Fish gets scarf from around Kermit's neck with a fishing pole. They drive off. Kermit - "That was a bunch known as the River Bottom Gang and unfortunately you are going to be seeing more of them too, because like Ma and Emmet they are part of Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas." See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Steven Wright/Marilyn Horne/Isabel Campbell (1984) See more »

Soundtracks

Brothers
(uncredited)
Written by Paul Williams
See more »

User Reviews

 
I loved the mashed potatoes
11 December 2013 | by utgard14 – See all my reviews

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.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1977 (USA) See more »

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$473,802, 16 December 2018

Gross USA:

$231,710

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$231,710
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Henson Associates (HA) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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