Hulu: Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Product Details

Synopsis: Jim Henson's musical Christmas classic features the beloved tale of Emmet and Ma Otter, perfect for the holiday season!
Starring: Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz
Supporting actors: Marilyn Sokol, Dave Goelz, Richard Hunt, Eren Ozker, Jim Henson
Directed by: Jim Henson
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Musical
Runtime: 50 minutes
Release year: 1977
Studio: Lionsgate
ASIN: B00307JU9W (Rental) and B0032KPD52 (Purchase)
Rights ; Requirements
Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas DVD ~ Dave Goelz
4.6 out of 5 stars(270)
Theatrical Release Information
US Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1977
Production Company: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Henson Associates (HA)

Product Description

Jim Henson's musical Christmas classic attributes the beloved tale of Emmet and Ma Otter, excellent for the vacation season!

Starring: Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz
Directed by: Jim Henson
Runtime: 50 minutes
Release year: 1977
Studio: Lionsgate

Technical Details

US Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1977
Production Company: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Henson Associates (HA)

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

Consumer Critiques

To clear up some of the confusion and angry evaluations about this special being edited, as a fan of Emmet Otter, let me explain that there are 2 diverse versions of this classic vacation particular. In 1977, HBO initial aired Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas and also ran it in 1978 and 1979 which is the version that's been readily available on VHS for years and was just released on DVD. In 1980, ABC snatched the unique away from HBO for a single year and created some alterations to it such as 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 exactly where Emmet, Ma and the boys are singing inside exactly 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 residence right after singing) even though trimming other people. HBO began airing the special once again in 1981 and throughout the '80s but rather 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 hence were upset by the video release which was the original 1977 cut and not the 1980 network version. So my guidance to those who still have a copy from HBO recorded throughout the '80s, maintain it and obtain the video version which is the original version that aired back in 1977 on HBO and watch them back to back and make a decision for yourself which version you like the most. Personally, I favor the video edition for the reason that that was the version I had remembered watching as a kid. I just wanted to clear up any confusion by those who had purchased 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 definitely the case when it comes to this classic holiday particular where there are two versions: the 1977 cut which ran on HBO from 1977 to 1979 and the 1980 ABC network version which ran as soon as on ABC in 1980 and on HBO from 1981 into the late '80s. Hope this information and facts assists.

This was one of my favorite Muppets functions ever considering the fact that the 1st time I saw it on HBO. However, as other reviewers have indicated, this version has been clumsily edited and I was rather disappointed in the alterations. Kermit's narration has been removed, the ending is changed, and some of the lyrics of the songs are redone. The Muppets characteristics always showed the whole range of emotions, from sentimentality to sincere anger and a little cartoonish violence. These items have all been removed from the film. I am not positive if the modifications were produced to "sanitize" this for kids, or if it was just cut for time causes, but the adjustments make no sense and definitely cut the heart out of the film. Save your dollars until they release the original HBO unique.