Smithsonian Hosts Film Screening of Jim Henson’s Classic Movie “The Christmas Toy”

The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater will host a film screening of Jim Henson’s classic movie “The Christmas Toy” Saturday, Dec. 20, at noon in the Smithsonian’s Ripley Center at 1100 Jefferson Drive S.W., room 3027. The screening celebrates the debut of this Emmy-nominated TV special available on DVD Nov. 4 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Following the screening, children and their families are invited to make their own Christmas puppets in a special family workshop.

Originally aired on ABC-TV in December 1986, Jim Henson’s “The Christmas Toy” is a charming tale about toys that magically come to life on Christmas Eve. Part of the Jim Henson’s Christmas Classics line, “The Christmas Toy” features a cast of loveable puppets from Jim Henson and delightful original songs by Jeff Moss. The movie received the 1987 Golden Hugo Award for Children’s Programming at the Chicago International Film Festival and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program. 

Prices for the film screening and the puppet-making workshop are $9 each for adults and child members, and $10 each for adults and child nonmembers. For tickets and more information call (202) 633-3030 or visit www.discoverytheater.org.

The film is appropriate for all ages (target for ages 2-8) and runs 59 minutes. For more information about “The Christmas Toy” DVD, visit www.henson.com.

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