Having grown up with HBO in the early 1980s, I still remember one of the pay cable network's holiday staples: "Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas." The Jim Henson special, which originally ran in 1977, was an annual HBO tradition.
The Cinefamily is resurrecting that tradition, and on Christmas day, no less.
Cinefamily's "Emmet Otter" screening will take place on Dec. 25 at 4 p.m. Tickets - $12/$8 children under 12/free for members. Here's the backstory:
Nothing brings us back to the post-gift openin’, egg nog-drinkin’, family-lovin’ goodness of Christmas morning quite like Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. This touching tale of a widow otter and her son Emmet’s struggle to give each other the best possible Christmas finds Emmet’s jug band competing for a cash prize in a talent contest -- but will the rowdy Riverbottom Gang and their wild hard rock band The Nightmare beat them to it? One of the most charming holiday stories since It’s A Wonderful Life, Jim Henson’s 1977 made-for-TV classic features amazing tunes by Muppet Movie songsmith Paul Williams, and, in contrast to the typical Muppet style of puppetry, its loveable river animals are portrayed more realistically than they ever had before, thanks to advancements in radio-controlled puppet effects. The afternoon’s program also includes a selection of highlights from other Muppet Christmas specials!
Tickets are $12, or $8 for children under 12. The Cinefamily is housed at the Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave.
