The Five Best Overlooked Holiday Movies
Emmet Otter, The Hebrew Hammer, Gremlins and More
Dec 3, 2008
Like fruit cake and distant relatives, there is only so much of “It’s a Wonderful Life” that a person can take. Luckily, there are dozens, if not hundreds of holiday movies out there to enjoy. Most of them have not seen the inside of a television set in many years. Below are five of the best holiday movies that are consistently overlooked.
Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
Preceding "The Muppet Movie" by two years, "Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas" is perhaps the greatest Christmas special no longer on television. It is also one of Henson’s greatest works, the touching tale of a poor otter mother and son on the river, trying to win money in a talent show to buy the other a Christmas present.
What sets Emmet Otter apart is its fantastic soundtrack. The music was written by Paul Williams, noted songwriter who wrote hits for the Carpenters and Three Dog Night, who would later go on to write The Rainbow Connection. Some of the more notable songs on Emmet Otter’s soundtrack are:
- Barbeque
- When the River Meets the Sea
- Brothers
- River Bottom Nightmare Band
"Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas" used to contain narration by Kermit the Frog, but legal issues with Disney have forced the Jim Henson Company to edit him out. Even without the frog, Emmet Otter is a special that warms the heart and should not be missed.
The Hebrew Hammer
"The Hebrew Hammer" puts the “mack” in Maccabee. A parody of blaxploitation movies such as “Shaft” and Jewish culture, The Hebrew Hammer is a “certified circumcised dick” hired to save Hanukkah from the evil son of Santa Claus. "The Hebrew Hammer" stars Adam Goldberg as the title character, Judy Greer as his love interest, and Andy Dick as a decidedly unsanta-like son of Santa.
The Year Without Santa Claus
"The Year Without Santa Claus" has been making a comeback in recent years, thanks to a viral video clip circulating the Internet. This 1974 Rankin/Bass classic features two of the most memorable characters in the Rankin/Bass library: Heat Miser and Snow Miser. The two are so popular that they are receiving their own sequel “A Miser Brothers’ Christmas” set to air on ABC Family Dec.13, 2008.
Gremlins
Not all Christmas movies need to be fluff comedies or animated musicials. A perfect example of this is the Chris Columbus-written comedy/horror “Gremlins.”
Although "Gremlins" was a popular movie when it was first released--even spawning a sequel-- it has since vanished from Christmas season. Gremlins deftly straddles the line between black comedy and horror. While not appropriate for young children--some scenes are a little too violent-- it is still a well made movie about a Christmas gift gone horribly wrong.
White Christmas
It is a shame that this modern generation has no idea who Danny Kaye is. It is quite possible that he has never had a bad movie, and paired with Bing Crosby in "White Christmas", the two created one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.
Rounding out the stellar cast is Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. The four stars breeze through the singing and dancing numbers while bantering with each other and pushing forward a clever plot. "White Christmas" should be on every station, every Christmas.
There are many more out there than simply these five movies, but "Emmet Otter," "The Hebrew Hammer," "The Year Without Santa Claus," "Gremlins," and "White Christmas," are a very good start. Try something new this holiday, starting with what you watch.
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