DVD Flashback: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas & The Muppet Christmas Carol

12 Days of Christmas; Movie Blog Style.

On the sixth and seventh days of Christmas my true love gave to me: Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977) & The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

For these days I thought I would group two movies together. It may have been a bit to much to have two separate Muppet movie postings but I think doing it this way is more acceptable and I didn’t want to exclude them from the list.

Both of these movies mean a lot to me. Growing up I was captivated by the Muppets. As a child I loved the furry and funny characters. Later in life I was inspired by Jim Henson’s creativity and innovative genius. Which is why I am adding these Holiday treats to the list.

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is a story about a young otter who wants to give his Mother a wonderful Christmas. Ma Otter makes a living doing peoples (animals) laundry in her big washtub. They are a poor family but happy. Emmet and his friends learn of a talent show which has a cash prize for the winner. Winning that money would allow Emmet to give his Mother the Christmas she deserves but in order to do so he would have to ruin the washtup by turning it into a washtub bass.

Emmet and his friends practice and practice for the talent show because there is a gang of bad seeds who are challenging the group of Otters and they are known as the River Bottom Nightmare Band -you gotta love these guys-.

Meanwhile; Ma Otter would really like to get Emmet something nice for Christmas. She decides to enter the contest as well and with any luck, win the prize money in order to get Emmet his gift.

My favorite part of this movie is the talent show contest. The River Bottom Nightmare Band are cool to watch, and Emmet’s jug-band isn’t to bad as well.

Although the only familiar Muppets in this movie are Kermit and Robin, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas remains a Muppet Christmas favorite.

Coming in towards the top of my list -when concerning Muppet movies- is The Muppet Christmas Carol. This classic story portrayed by the Muppet cast indeed does the story proud.

We all know that in most Muppet movies there are a number of live actors. In Christmas Carol we have the very talented Michael Caine dawning the part of Scrooge. Personally I think he does a grat job as this grizzled old timer.

The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the rat narrate this classic tale and the rest of the characters make up the remaining cast -with a few Muppet additions of course-. Kermit plays Bob Cratchit, Robin is Tiny Tim, Statler and Waldorf replace Marley with Marley & Marley -the original owners of the firm- and toss the rest of the crew in here and there. The ghost of Christmas present is a great new creation by the Jim Henson group, very similar to the way the Gorg’s were operated but the design work on this character makes him a highlight.

The Muppets Christmas Carol has a number of musical numbers, each one done in true Muppet fashion. If I where to choose a favorite, it would have to be the cameo of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem playing at the Christmas party but I’m bias since they’re my favorite.

Full of comedy and Christmas spirit(s), I have to recommend The Muppet Christmas Carol to any holiday film fan.