Holiday Picks: Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

With snow in the forecast, temperatures dropping, and people digging out their mittens and hats, it's officially December!  Enjoy a holiday pick each day before Christmas.

Dir. Jim Henson.  Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, 2001.  DVD.

Originally released in 1977, and based on the children's book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, this movie is a Christmas classic and a "must view" in my opinion.  This movie tells the story of Mrs. Otter and her son Emmet, who struggle to make ends meet.  They get by on money Ma makes from doing laundry, and from what Emmet makes doing odd jobs around their home of Frogtown Hollow.  Despite their hardships, their house is full of love and music.  This Christmas, they both dream of having enough money to buy each other a special gift.  Without the other knowing, Ma and Emmet enter a talent contest in hopes of winning the $50 prize.  For the contest, Emmet teams up with some of his friends to form the Frogtown Jubilee Jug Band, and Ma performs a solo, but they face tough competition from a hard rock band called the Riverbottom Nightmare Band.

Hands down, this is my all-time favorite Christmas movie.  I love it so, mainly for sentimental reasons and that it features Muppets!  I grew up on Fraggle Rock, and always had a fondness for movies featuring the Muppets.  I remember watching this as a kid, and loving the beautiful voice of Mrs. Otter and the earnestness of her son, Emmet.  I love the songs "There Ain't No Hole in the Washtub" and "Where the River Meets the Sea."  The story line is sweet, sincere, and perfect for sharing with your children.  What are some of your favorite classic holiday movies?