"Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" sits securely on my short-list of annual must-see Christmas movie/specials. It's just not Christmas if this goes unwatched. The songs still hold up amazingly well (catchy as ever), the voices of Henson, Oz and Goelz as well as the puppeteering (not to mention the set) lend this story heaps of character, and the overall sentiment maintains the universal appeal to keep this thing relevant (Not bad at all for a 35 year-old movie). It's the kind of special that's pure of heart and devoid of the usual holiday schmaltz; the kind that makes you thankful that you have a child to share it with.9/10

Back in 1977, just after "The Muppet Show" debuted but before "The Muppet Movie", Jim Henson decided to make a project to help them work out the kinks for the upcoming movie. "Emmett Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" is that project--more ambitious than the show but not a full-length theatrical release like the movie. While the show isn't as as refined as later work (you can see strings when some of the characters move) but they did try some DIFFERENT techniques and styles of puppets. For the most part, it's quite sweet and successful--and mostly it's really, really cute. My only reservation about this sweet show is that there is A LOT of singing and it might have worked better with less. Heck, with just a few less songs I would have given this one a 9--but the songs tended to disrupt the story and seemed, at times, like filler.As for the story, it's a reworking of the O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi". However, instead of a husband selling his watch and a wife selling her beautiful hair to buy presents for each other, it involves poor Emmett and his mother trying to win a talent show so they can buy each other nice presents. Naturally, it doesn't work out as they expect--but it's all quite charming, nonetheless. Well worth seeing--particularly if you are a kid or a kid at heart.

This is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. The plot is great and that little Emmet is so cute. This is clearly one of Jim Henson's best films for all ages. There's comedy, drama and suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat throughout the entire movie. Don't miss out on this classic film! Run out and rent or buy it today. Don't waste any time in delaying. It's clearly a film that ranks up there with other top films such as Ghostbusters, Seven, Saving Private Ryan, Batman Returns, Chicken Run, Pride & Prejudice, Pulp Fiction and many, many more. If you haven't watched this movie yet, then you really haven't lived!

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) is pure television magic. It represents finely orchestrated character puppetry of the highest order. Never have animal puppets created so much human emotional pull. Ma Otter seemed so real to me as a young boy growing up in a small southern town. She still reminds me of this tender old lady who would come by and wash (and iron) our family clothes for $20. That's how real she was/is to me. Ma Otter was a symbol of comfort.Her son Emmet Otter is young, naive, determined and the centerpiece of this Henson gem. Emmet is a problem solver and is willing to help his poor Ma out any way he can. You also get to meet his friends, one being an obese beaver who plays the washtub bass. You also get to experience an Otter family annual tradition; hunting for the precious Christmas Branch. But the ultimate highlight is the talent show at the end...where Emmet's fabulous Jug-Band battles Ma Otter (and her sad, sad song) and a surprise entry: The Riverbottom Nightmare Band.Whoever invented the Riverbottom Nightmare Band (Henson?) needs to be rewarded. One might assume that the audience will root for Emmet's Band or Ma (in the end), but the reality is that you'll get surprisingly turned on by the throbbing, hypnotic drudge of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band. Not only was there sound explosive and imaginative, but they also buried the other competitors. The Nightmare Band had enough creative vision and foresight to create an ultra-savvy and alluring stage spectacle. They also had this awesomely large spitting fish that squirted from a large water tank. Ma and Emmet's Jug-band never stood a chance. They were too emotional and eager for 1st place bucks. In the end they were ultimately destroyed by the Riverbottom Nightmare Band.