Exodus Americanus 238: Walrus and Roscoe’s Jugband Christmas

I’ve been watching Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas every Christmas season for many, many years. I was introduced to it by an ex-girlfriend who used to cheer every time the news reported that an Israeli soldier had been killed. Back then I was a normie conservative and she was a commie leftist so I didn’t really get it and we didn’t last, but I have always liked the movie.

I feel closer now (to you internet strangers) than ever before. But I hate to have to tell you this…and I hope it doesn’t ruin the movie for you…

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Ma Otter is Jewish.

So is Chuck Stoat

The movie is based on a story by Russell and Lillian Hoban. Russell Hoban was the author of Riddley Walker (one of the best post-nuclear-appocalypse stories of all time). His talent for writing ran in the family, his father was a manager for the Jewish Daily Forward. When it was printed in Yiddish. And it’s Lillian “Aberman” Hoban. Yes, they’re both Jewish.

The way I see it, nothing is impossible for God. My kids like the song Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. They also sometimes ask if a random “bad guy” is Jewish. Because, you know. They did kill Jesus. I explained that Rudolph was invented by Jews who don’t like Jesus and didn’t want to do a song about Jesus for Christmas. But, I said, look at the glory of God, he took that song and made it a fun song for us to sing at Christmas time, when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

So, some Jews helped Jim Henson make a great Christmas movie that doesn’t mention Jesus and doesn’t feature any good father figures (Pa Otter was a failure who didn’t provide for his family in case of his untimely death) but…it’s still a great movie.