Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

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)

Stars:

Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Marilyn Sokol

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win.

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	...	Ma Otter (voice)
Dave Goelz	...	Wendell / Pop-eyed Catfish / Will Possum (voice)
Richard Hunt	...	Charlie / Lizard / George Rabbit (voice)
Eren Ozker	...	Gretchen Fox / Hetty Muskrat / Mrs. Mink / Old Lady Possum (voice)

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.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | otter | jug band | anthropomorphism | surrealism | 

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Taglines:

It's a Toe-Tapping Christmas in Frogtown Hollow!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1977 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC),Henson Associates (HA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene where the drum roles past Emmet and Ma Otter took over 200 takes to get right.

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Quotes

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

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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."

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Connections

Referenced in The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years (1986)

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Soundtracks

When The River Meets The Sea
Written by Paul Williams

User Reviews

THE Best Christmas Movie

I first seen this on HBO in the early "80's and fell in love with it then and still love it now, some 19 years later. What a heart-warming tale of a widowed mother trying to raise her only son after "PA" passes away. Pa didn't leave them much, but they made do on what they had. Really a classic and a must see for every child and adult. I just loved the songs in this movie, they were classics in themselves. Even today, at the Christmas season, I still watch this movie, but now I watch it with my son.