Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas Comes to MoMI
Our next feature will bring us back to our Cinematic Semicentennial Series. But first: a warm and fuzzy holiday-themed interlude. The good people over at the Museum of the Moving Image are screening the beloved (yet somewhat under the radar) holiday classic Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. The film, which was scripted by Jerry Juhl and based on a book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, premiered in Canada in 1977 before coming to the U.S. the following year. I am swept away by pure nostalgia whenever I revisit this Christmas special, which was a fixture in our childhood home in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. We watched it on HBO every year until it sort of vanished before popping up again on VHS and DVD (though I have yet to see it on blu ray).
The story mostly takes place in Frogtown Hollow where Emmet Otter and his Ma Otter eek out a hardscrabble existence working odd jobs and trading goods and services to make ends meet. This adorable duo, mourning in the aftermath of Emmet’s father’s passing and subsequent financial struggles, respond to life’s hardships with cheer, good humor, and a “you play the card you’re dealt” attitude.
At the center of the story are Ma’s and Emmet’s mutual desire to get Christmas gifts for each other despite not having the money to do so. To that end (and unbeknownst to each other), the two enter the same talent contest in the hopes of taking home the prize money to buy their respective gifts: a used guitar with mother of pearl inlay for Emmet and a downpayment on a piano for Ma.
Ma hopes to win over the judges with her beautiful voice and Emmet hopes to wow them by performing on a wash tub bass with his musical buds, the Frogtown Jubilee Jug Band. Various other colorful critters enter the story as we move toward the talent show at the quaint town of Waterville.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is earthy and old-fashioned in the most refreshing ways. Its pacing is slow and meditative—a stark contrast to the sensory overload and frenetic pace of today’s children’s programming. The film brims with themes of love, loyalty, perseverance, laughter, and the value of counting one’s blessings, and it comes to life through its charming, snow-covered miniature sets, Henson and team’s trademark puppetry, and lively characters.
The cherry on top of this delicious holiday sundae? The one and only Kermit the Frog narrates our tale!
The folksy music provided by the prolific composer and singer-songwriter Paul Williams is one primary reason the special resonates so much with fans. The soundtrack features a mix of bluegrass, gospel, and Tin Pan Alley originals (plus one “edgy” rock number performed by none other than our story’s baddies). The entire thing is full of heart and will have you tapping your feet from start to finish.
The special is available on YouTube. But if you live in NYC you may want to snag tickets to one of two showings happening this weekend at MoMI. These screenings are part of the museum’s series Jim Henson’s World and Jim Henson’s World for the Holidays.
Event Details
Location: Redstone Theater
Showings: Saturday, November 29th at 1:00pm and Sunday, November 30th at 1:00pm.
Tickets: $17.50 / $12 senior and students / $10 youth (ages 3–17) / free for MoMI members at the Senior/Student level and above. You can visit the program landing page to learn more and to purchase tickets.
Lastly, we highly recommend The Jim Henson Exhibition, MoMI’s permanent installation and treasure trove of the puppets and multimedia works dedicated to Henson’s creative output. The exhibit features some of Henson’s commercials, TV shows, and films including The Muppets (the series and films), Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and much more.
The entrance to the Jim Henson Exhibition at MoMI.
Membership?
We have been members of MoMI for many years now and find it a great way to support the museum and its great work. If you live in or near New York consider a MoMI membership, which comes with many excellent benefits, including complimentary admission to the museum, free and reduced-price tickets to screenings, select series, and special events, 15% discount at the MoMI Shop, and much more. Visit the MoMI membership page to learn more.
