Synopsis:

Using the HBO, ABC and the official DVD version, this is the longest, most complete version of this memorable Muppet Christmas special. So, if you like your dancing rabbits, but miss “fall off the dock”, then this is for you.

Intentions:

Philfrog is proud to present this classic Jim Henson TV special in its most complete form ever, using all of the bits unique to each of the two officially-released edits (and all the different releases and recuts of each one). As a bonus, one scene has been cleverly extended to include the complete “Bathing Suit” song, with verses previously unused in the two official versions of this special. With every line, lyric, and Kermit the Frog segment intact, this is “Emmet Otter” as it deserves to be seen for generations to come.

Change List:

This edit uses the following two versions of the “Emmet Otter” TV special: 1. “HBO” version – Version One, released (with some minor cuts) on VHS - longer Gretchen Fox segment (“fall off the dock”) - longer Washtub song intro (“I’m rowin’…where’s the singin’?”) - four Kermit appearances (two visual, two audio) -extra talent show dialog (“we’re off to a shaky start”) 1. “ABC” version – Version Two, released on VHS and DVD - one Kermit appearance only (cut from the most recent DVD) - longer Washtub song (“lunch with the upper crust” verse) - dancing rabbits at the talent show - longer reprise of River Meets The Sea song The following sources (mainly 1, 4, and 5) were used: 1. Muppet Video VHS – HBO version (has edits to shorten black between fades) 2. Jim Henson Home Video VHS – ABC version, complete (has unique opening logo) 3. Columbia-Tristar VHS – ABC version, complete, with original audio mix 4. Columbia-Tristar DVD – ABC version, complete, but with faux stereo audio 5. Hit Entertainment DVD – ABC version, without Kermit’s intro - also includes non-Kermit HBO-only bits in Deleted Scenes section, plus Making-Of featurette 6. Three VHS recordings (including my own) of the HBO version (used for reference only).

Additional Notes:

DVD footage was captured instead of ripped. (I simply don’t have a good ripping program at this time.) Despite removing the macrovision from the CTS DVD, it (and every DVD I captured using the DV500) still captured brighter than it should have (though without the ridiculous white levels caused by macrovision). To restore the correct levels, I manually brought down the brightness. This helped to mask compression artifacts present during black screen moments in the footage (created by the bright capture). Depending on your set’s contrast levels, the artifacts may still be visible. Apologies in advance. Some shots, when viewed on a computer screen window, will have slightly bigger (than usual) black bars at the edges. This is due to different sources of “Emmet” being framed differently, causing me to reshift the picture (usually to the left, and up a bit) on these sources, so I could match footage from each version seamlessly. The majority of my video cuts are new dissolves (as opposed to straight cuts) over the original between-shot dissolves, so picture shifting to match sources was absolutely necessary. I have also made a straight (no menu, chapter breaks every three minutes) DVD transfer of the Muppet Video VHS release (a slight edit of the HBO version). If you’re dissatisfied with the quality of my edit for any reason, you can use this as a source for your own. (Or you can track down the laserdisc release on the same label.) If you want bonus features, please purchase the official Hit Entertainment DVD, which has outtakes, a lost song, behind-the-scenes featurette, and more. While you’re at it, check out the original book, too.

Special Thanks: