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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Originally a special for HBO, this Jim Henson production (he also directed) was one of the first real forays into the more realistic, less vaudevillian direction for the Muppets. It also included Frank Oz (Muppeteer), Paul Williams (songs), and Jerry Juhl (script), some of the Muppet Show's usual suspects. Emmet Otter and his jug band are trying out in the local talent show, but they face fierce competition from a gang of toughs, the Riverbottom Gang and their rock band. Perhaps the most notable thing is the creation of a sense of poverty and want that suffuses the little production. Even Emmet's mother, who sacrifices her washtub to further Emmet's cause, gets in the act. Fine Christmas viewing for all ages. --Keith Simanton
Product Description
Voices of Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz. Jim Henson and songwriter Paul Williams bring Russell Hoban's lively storybook to life with this TV special about Emmet and Ma Otter of Frogtown Hollow, who each enter a talent contest before Christmas with hopes of winning money to buy presents for the other. 1977/color/100 min/NR/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
658 of 674 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To clear up some of the confusion and angry reviews about this special being edited, as a fan of Emmet Otter, let me explain that there are 2 different versions of this classic holiday special. In 1977, HBO first aired Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and also ran it in 1978 and 1979 which is the version that's been available on VHS for years and was just released on DVD. In 1980, ABC snatched the special away from HBO for one year and made some changes to it including adding Kermit's voiceover narration, trimming some of the songs ("Ain't No Hole In The Washtub" and the reprise of "When The River Meets The Sea"), extending some scenes like the Riverside Rest scene where Emmet, Ma and the boys are singing inside where it pans over to Kermit narrating to us the audience (the original 1977 version did not have Kermit at the Riverside Rest but just dissolved onto the next scene when Emmet, Ma and the boys are walking home after singing) while trimming others. HBO began airing the special again in 1981 and throughout the '80s but instead of using the original 1977 version that they ran from 1977 to 1979, they instead ran the ABC network version which is what most viewers had remembered seeing and therefore were upset by the video release which was the original 1977 cut and not the 1980 network version. So my advice to those who still have a copy from HBO recorded during the '80s, keep it and buy the video version which is the original version that aired back in 1977 on HBO and watch them back to back and decide for yourself which version you like the most. Personally, I prefer the video edition because that was the version I had remembered watching as a kid. I just wanted to clear up any confusion by those who had bought the video or DVD and was disappointed to see what they thought was an "edited version" of what they had remembered seeing on ABC or HBO in the '80s which is not really the case when it comes to this classic holiday special where there are 2 versions: the 1977 cut which ran on HBO from 1977 to 1979 and the 1980 ABC network version which ran once on ABC in 1980 and on HBO from 1981 into the late '80s. Hope this information helps.
53 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I'm 24 years old and I remember watching this wonderful movie on TV every Christmas. Emmet Otter was a holiday tradition in my family alongside the Grinch and It's a Wonderful Life. Then it disappeared for a few years until it aired on Nickelodeon in the early 90s. Luckily a cousin shared my love of Emmet and his friends, and she taped it. I was delighted to find a new copy available on Amazon.com earlier this year. It arrived today, and my excitement was soon replaced with disappointment when I realized I had been sent an edited version of the film. At three distinct parts in the story there was dialogue missing. This appalled me. How could someone edit a classic? I realize this isn't Amazon.com's fault, but I thought consumers should know that they aren't buying the original. I will continue to watch my favorite Christmas movie, even if it doesn't match perfectly with the version in my head.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This was one of my favorite Muppets features ever since the first time I saw it on HBO. Unfortunately, as other reviewers have indicated, this version has been clumsily edited and I was very disappointed in the changes. Kermit's narration has been removed, the ending is changed, and some of the lyrics of the songs are redone. The Muppets features always showed the whole range of emotions, from sentimentality to honest anger and a little cartoonish violence. These things have all been removed from the film. I am not sure if the changes were made to "sanitize" this for kids, or if it was just cut for time reasons, but the changes make no sense and really cut the heart out of the film. Save your money until they release the original HBO special.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Classic Muppets!
I saw this as a kid and loved it! I am still waiting to see that River Bottom Band go on tour!
Published 17 days ago by First Peter
One of my favorites!
Most people I have talked to have never heard of this movie. They're missing out! I used to watch it every year as a kid. I finally bought it to share the experience with my kids. Read more
Published 2 months ago by SRKASM
A classic!
Have loved this movie since I was a kid! Watched it all the time on HBO back in the day. Great Christmas classic.
Published 2 months ago by IndianGirl77
Wonderul quiet little Christmas story
My now grown children (boys) loved this during their elementary years so we purchased it to watch with our grandchildren. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ChrisN
FloridaJerseygirl
I loved this little movie as a kid and went completely nuts when I found I could own on dvd.It was originally part of the fragle rock series. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Laurina Sisco
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
My children grew up in Michigan watching this movie at Christmas time. My son mentioned he would like to see it again. I checked Amazon and you had it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by aquaticsally
One of the best kid's Christmas movies ever!
This is one of my all-time favorite kid's Christmas movies. I'm a music teacher and showed this to my classes between our Christmas concert and Christmas break. Read more
Published 4 months ago by MonsMusic
DVD
The DVD was in great condition, plays well and the grand daughter loves it. It shipped quickly and was packaged well for shipment. No complaints
Published 4 months ago by Jake
Instant Classic
Love this movie! I have watched it every year at Christmas since I was a child and it never disappoints. One of Jim Henson's best in my opinion.
Published 4 months ago by LinP
Childhood favorite
Loved this as a kid and wanted my kids to view it. So happy it is available as a DVD. The quality of the movie was exceptional and it was delivered before Christmas.
Published 4 months ago by kb
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