MovieChat Forums > Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) Discussion > Original version?

Original version?

posted 18 years ago by acadmus
9 replies | jump to latest

I've noticed everyone has realized that the currently available versions are edited - badly. I bought it on VHS tape back in 1998 or so, and it didn't take long before I realized something was wrong. Ma didn't say "fall off the dock" and then the discussion that took place before they started to sing "hole in the washtub" was removed - don't even recall what it was to remember why. Song lyrics altered, and the stupid dancing rabbits instead of the flying squirrels.

Anyway, does it exist in its original form anywhere? I don't like the edits, it's not the same. My father and I watched this special together every year for about 6 years in my childhood, and even today he'll borrow the tape from me some Christmases. Now my son's almost old enough to follow it, and I'd like to have the original version.

BTW, the database is wrong. Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas was produced by Henson for the Canadian Broadcasting Network. Every year we had it on two channels, as we had cable with HBO and CBC-6. So the movie should be listed as Canadian. Didn't see any comments during my searches that show many people know this, but the credits at the end of the special (at least originally) stated this.

[–] Miz_Kriss 18 years ago

hmm... i'm not sure on the original version anywhere. Until last year, I only had a tape of it when my dad taped it off the tv one year. I'm gonna watch the version on the tape, and look for the differences between the DVD and the tv version (besides the lack of Kermit, of course.)

[–] vbsmith 18 years ago

Fortuanely, my father taped it for me when it aired on HBO in the 80s. The fall off the dock dialogue is there as well as Kermit and other such references. I have wanted to find a DVD version of the original to give to friends and have found nothing online.

I have noticed though that most Emmett experts agree that the edited version is just simply not the same. People want their childhood movies exactly in tact. I'm not sure what they were doing messing with the original.

[–] kyleboreing 18 years ago

All current releases of this on DVD will NOT include Kermit, as the Muppets brand (including Kermit) is now owned by Disney, who refused to license Kermit to HIT Entertainment for the DVD release.

If you look hard enough, there is another DVD release that DOES include Kermit, although it's only in the intro; his narration throughout the show is gone, as is his closing at the Riverside Rest. This was released by Columbia/Tri-Star around 2001, before Disney bought out the Muppets. The rest of the DVD is still heavily edited (same edits as the current HIT Entertainment version).

The deleted scenes section of the DVD includes the "fall off the dock" comments, as well as the conversation before "Hole In The Washtub" and the flying squirrels. I plan on taking these, the current edit, and what is available of Kermit, and creating an "extended cut" of the show, restoring as much footage as possible (and if I can locate my old VHS, might try to re-edit Kermit back into the ending). This WILL be done one of these days!!

[–] gfnoyes 17 years ago

yeah, I remember that HBO version too. But even in the HBO version, some scenes were edited out, like the dancing rabbits was not in that one

I am guessing the "fall off the dock" was taken out because of parents complaining about it, that's usually the reason something like that happens

I was thinking of trying to merge the two movies together to make a complete unedited version, but it would probably not come out too well

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] labybyron 10 years ago

Stupid Rabbits????? I LOVED THE RABBITS!!! My family and used to scream with delight when the rabbits came on, because when the female rabbit danced (or jumped rather) her dress would FLY over her face and you could see everything below her waist! Yes... Melissa Rabbit was just a puppet, but was one of the funniest scenes in the whole special! (Can't for the life of me remember her husband's name... I think it was George, though! Lol!)

[–] SpyderMama 9 years ago

Have you tried looking on youtube?

[–] Mr-Fusion 9 years ago

Have you tried looking on youtube

It is indeed on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/dbj-08wlkA8

At least as far as "original" goes, I'm not sure if it's '70s broadcast version. But it does have Kermit's intro and Ma's "fall of the dock" retort.

-----
You really an American?
Only if New Jersey counts.

[–] cgrill8 8 years ago

The only version I have that is unedited is my old VHS copy which I think I still have with nothing to play it on, BUT when we had a DVD recorder (it was a CHEAP device and no longer works) I did put the VHS onto DVD. So it has Kermit in the opening, and being heckled by the band from across the river from Riverbottom. And it has the Ma Otter's dock comment and the whole conversation leading up to the song in the boat. Which was all about the aunt or great aunt and how big she was. I don't think they had complaints, I just think they were 'afraid' of complaints, and thus edited stuff out. I just wish I could find the book to this cheap... my kids school mentioned they might put it on the read list... this or Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nihm... can't remember which, but I'll take either! Because I'd read them too! :) Life BEFORE political correctness! Ahh....

Well... there's always Thorton W Burgess books... those seem easy to find...

3rd generation American from a long line of Gottscheers... it was Drandul, dude!