CULVER CITY, Calif. (August 7, 2017) – A beloved family holiday classic celebrates its 40th Anniversary when Jim Henson’s EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS returns to DVD October 10 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Based on the treasured book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, the film is the touching story of a down-on-its-luck otter family that risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize at a Christmas talent contest. In 1977, the television special featured a special appearance by the Kermit the Frog as the narrator. In subsequent airings, Kermit’s narration was edited out, but this fully remastered version includes the restored scenes with Jim Henson’s iconic character. Nominated for four Emmy® Awards*, EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS was directed by the legendary Jim Henson and includes original songs by Academy Award® winning composer Paul Williams (Best Music, Original Song, A Star Is Born, 1976).
As Christmas approaches Frogtown Hollow, Emmet Otter and his Ma can only dream of buying each other gifts with the little money they make from Ma doing laundry and Emmet doing odd jobs. So, when a Christmas Eve talent contest is announced, Emmet joins a jug band and Ma decides to sing a song. But Emmet will have to put a hole in Ma’s washtub to make a bass! And Ma will have to hock Emmet’s tool chest to buy herself a costume! Should Emmet and Ma risk all they have to make each other’s dreams come true? Narrated by Kermit the Frog and based on the book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS will put a song in your heart!
EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS has a run time of approximately 53 minutes and is not rated.
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The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), Dot. (Sprout/Hulu), Splash and Bubbles (PBS), Word Party (Netflix), Doozers (Hulu/ Sprout), and the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid (PBS), Dinosaur Train (PBS), and Pajanimals (Sprout). Television productions include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller and the sci-fi cult series Farscape. Features include Disney’s Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow. Currently in development include Happytime Murders, starring Melissa McCarthy and the highly anticipated film Fraggle Rock.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of- the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.
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*EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS’ four Emmy nominations included Outstanding Children’s Program, Calista Hendrickson & Sherry Ammott as costume designers, Paul Williams as composer/lyricist for the song “When The River Meets the Sea” and Tom Wright for lighting.
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