Holiday Film Review: Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas!

It's quite the jamboree! Image source: Roku/roku.com

Every holiday season, people gather around in their cozy, heavily decorated living rooms and rewatch some of their favorite holiday movies, which may include some Christmas classics. I have friends who repeatedly quote A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation hoping that it will never get old. Others debate if Die Hard or Gremlins are legitimately Christmas films or not. As for me, one of my favorite Christmas traditions is revisiting an unsung diamond in the rough, Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.

Although this feature is often overshadowed by Henson's more iconic shows, like Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, it is one of the sweetest and cutest films to enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year. Even Ebenezer Scrooge himself will tap his foot along to the catchiest songs out there about washtubs with no holes in them or delicious barbecue.

You will be humming other heartfelt songs like "When the River Meets the Sea" or "Brothers" in no time after spending time with some of these innocent, talented Muppets. No matter how bad of a day I am having, watching Emmet rock out on his washtub bass with his three best friends, Charlie Muskrat, Wendell Porcupine, and Harvey Beaver, automatically puts me in a better or happier mood.

The gist of this story revolves around a talent show with the coveted prize of $50. Emmet and his widowed mother, who goes by Alice "Ma" Otter, live paycheck to paycheck in the sleepy, quaint town called Frogtown Hollow. With Christmas Day just around the corner, they both decide to perform in this highly competitive annual talent show to buy each other an expensive but valuable gift. The hard-working widow hopes to buy her son a guitar. In return, Emmet dreams of surprising his mom with a piano.

Ma Otter practices her clear, pleasant singing while Emmet rounds up his top three, dependable best friends to practice playing their unique instruments. A jug, a cigar-box banjo, a kazoo, and a washboard complement Emmet's DIY washtub bass perfectly. However, they all must face off against the mischievous, intimidating rock and roll band from out of town called the Riverbottom Nightmare Band, who have the sound and vibe of an old school heavy metal band like Black Sabbath. Who will win the most popular talent show in town?

You can enjoy Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas during the remaining winter season to find out who the real winners are!

What makes Emmet Otter's Jug-Based Christmas a rewatchable tradition for the whole family is that it reminds all of us to count our blessings. If you don't get what you want, sometimes life might surprise or even reward you with something better than what you anticipated. Such a hopeful message ties in very well with the uplifting sentiments associated with the winter holidays. As a bonus, be on the lookout for a special appearance by everyone's favorite Muppet, Kermit the Frog.

This 1977 made-for-television special is also based on the kid's book of the same name, which was initially released in 1971. Russell Hoban wrote this classic story and took inspiration from "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is available to borrow on DVD from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, including all 16 active Birmingham Public Library locations.

By William Anthony | Librarian Ⅰ, Citizen Services