Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Henson Associates (HA)
Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Eren Ozker, Jerry Nelson, Marilyn Sokol, Richard Hunt
Ma Otter and son Emmet are poor as dirt. Father Otter has passed on, leaving little but bills. Ma does laundry, and Emmet does odd jobs to make ends meet, but when Ma wants to give Emmet a pearl inlaid guitar for Christmas, his hear’s desire, and Emmet wanted to give Ma a piano to make up for the one she had to hock to buy food, they both found out about a town talent show with a $50.00 prize and decided to join.
This movie debuted on HBO back in 1977. I have been looking for it ever since. When Jim Henson was thinking of producing the Muppet movie, it was questionable whether or not they had the capability to do a full length film with all the technical issues in handling the Muppet characters. They found this darling storybook and made it into the 50 minute special shown here. It was so wonderful, that they knew they were ready for the Muppet Movie which was one of the best films ever. I don’t know whether this story was influenced by O Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” or not, but it’s the same kind of story, where each gives up a most valuable possession in order to give a gift to the other. This was around the same time as when Fraggle Rock was on HBO, and this is very similar in a way. Fraggle Rock was a wonderful series, but this film has all the heart and love, and Christmas spirit you could ask for. It’s fabulous for kids, but I know adults are going to love it as well, and the good news is that it is available on “Watch Instantly” on NetFlix, and for sale on Amazon. I want to own this one, and keep it in my Christmas Film collection forever. I really love this special little film.
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