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.
The Jim Henson Company, Jim Henson Productions, Walt Disney Pictures
Michael Caine, Dave Goetz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Donald Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner, Steve Mackintosh, Meredith Braun, Robin Weaver, Raymond Coulthard, Russell martin, Theo Sanders
Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo, aka. Dave Goetz) narrates and hosts us to view the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) who is a miserly old fellow who abuses his lone employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog, aka. Steve Witmire).  The ghost of his former partners, the Marley Brothers (Statler and Waldorf, aka. Jerry Nelson and Dave Goelz) who warn him of what will happen if he doesn’t change his ways. Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future who touch his heart to help him realize the wrongs he has done.
This is such a wonderful version of A Christmas Carol. This one is part life performance and part puppetry of Jim Henson’s Muppets. This is typical in Muppet performances where the line between real and unreal is often blurred beyond recognition. Additionally the often break the 4th wall with the audience and talk directly to the audience. This causes some of the funniest moments in the film. The choice of the old hecklers Statler and Waldorf to play the Marley Brothers is brilliant. Most of the Muppets appear in one role or another throughout the film. They treat the story with great respect, and it is very close to the original story during all the fun and chaos. Some of the songs in this movie have stayed with me through all these years, and I love to hear them every Christmas when I pull out the old VHS and watch this one once again. The patter between Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit (Kermit and Miss Piggy) and the kids is great, and who could play Fezziwig better than Fozzie Bear?  This is just about a perfect retelling of the story and one of my very favorites.
