Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

What makes it different from others?

Some things I liked some I did not.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

In all of his work, Jim Henson seemed to always concentrate on the quality of the story, and not the frills and thrills that so many movie goers are now addicted to. To me, Jim was a hippie in many ways, and I mean that with the sincerest praise. He seemed to grow up in a time when imagination was blooming and people were breaking the bonds of tradition. In his short life, he allowed himself to explore his imagination as far as he could take it. It is a shame he left us so early.In this short film, he uses the simple premise of a mother and son's love. It is feelings that most of us can identify with. Emmett and his mother are poor and the things they work for are sometimes only used as a means of getting something else they need to work with. This film touches how those who have been stripped of most of their possessions still find it in themselves to laugh, love, and care for others around them.I recently bought this for my daughter and was so familiar with the lines that even after 20+ years ago, I could tell what was cut out from the DVD version. There is a simple scene in this film that makes your heart ache, and as I watched it, I was feeling like I was 12 again, having tears in my eyes and a big lump in my throat. Emmett and his mom are thinking about how they are going to get a Christmas present for each other, and both are thinking about the only two truly valuable things left in the home: a washtub and a tool chest. Each are willing to sacrifice these things to get the other a present. It is such a powerful scene, even in a children's movie, you will see the heart of the film shining through.Jim Henson's spirit lives on and as long as there are great storytellers in the world, his vision for humanity will be seen by those lucky enough to find it.

I had seen evidence around my city that very, VERY few people have seen this classic. My friend, Maggie, asked me if I had ever heard of it and commented a lot of people at our college thought she was a little loony. Having recorded it off TV back in '85, it's a classic my family loved to watch every Christmas season. She was thrilled & astounded when I told her how my family obtained the Jim Henson piece! I highly recommend this Muppet special for any family viewing. Going from poverty & odd-jobs just to get by & ending up entertaining with music, the Otter family has their trials & triumphs much like any other excellent Holiday classic. I recall, I believe, HBO airing this over 20 years ago.

Muppeteers: Jerry Nelson, Marylin Sokol, Jim Henson, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz and Eren Ozker.This is a great TV Christmas Special! It's about poor Emmett and his mother who are poor and whose husband/father just died. Emmett and his mother decide to do a talent show to get money for Christmas presents, but they need to sell/ruin each other's most prized possessions. Excellent music by Paul Williams including Ain't No Hole in the Washboard and Bar-b-que. Based on a book but made personal by Jim, considering he directs it and all the Muppet show stars are in it. Has a short opening with Kermit the frog also. I highly recommend it! Not rated. 52 mins.

I very fondly remember watching this movie when I was little. It never really mattered to me that Emmet and his mother didn't win the contest for the money because I got the brilliant message that it didn't matter that neither of them won the contest - what mattered was they love each other and were always going to be there for each other. The characters in this movie are truly memorable and the music is still some that I sing today. And really who could forget the part when the Jug band finally gets to perform with Ma as their lead singer? I am an avid fan of anything Jim Hensen and I love the fact that he created such a sweet movie that teaches a very important lesson to young children: material possessions are just that; what really matters is you as a person.