The Ballad of Little Joe

The Ballad of Little Joe
File:Veggietales dvd ballad.jpg DVD cover
Directed by	Tim Hodge
Written by	Phil Vischer, Robert G. Lee
Produced by	David Pitts
Starring	Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Jacquelyn Ritz, Mike Sage, Justin Barret, Jim Poole
Music by	Phil Vischer, Kurt Heinecke, Robert G. Lee, Mike Nawrocki
Distributed by	Sony Wonder
Release date	August 2003
Running time	35 minutes
Language	English

The Ballad of Little Joe is the 20th episode in the VeggieTales series. It is subtitled "A Lesson in Facing Hardship". It was released in late 2003 on DVD and VHS format. The story is a parody of the American Western and also a retelling of the Bible story of Joseph. Running time is approximately 35 minutes.

Synopsis

In the opening countertop segment, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber argue about how best to convey "a lesson in facing hardship". Bob insists that a Bible story would be best while Larry stands by a promise that the Veggies do a Western. A compromise is reached: the resulting story, "The Ballad of Little Joe", is a Western-style Bible story.

The story follows the Biblical account of Joseph and his multi-colored coat from the book of Genesis. As the story begins we are introduced to the brothers (played by the French Peas) and then to Little Joe (Larry) who is very different indeed. Among his unique skills are the abilities to solve problems, organize resources, and interpret dreams. We soon learn that it is Joe's birthday, and the brothers' father (Pa Grape) lavishes attention and gifts upon him.

When Joe foretells a time when his brothers will bow down before him, their jealousy turns to spite, and they decide to sell him into slavery. He ends up working at a saloon for Mr. McPotipher (Scooter Carrot), and his unique skills quickly make him an invaluable employee. Also working at the saloon is Kitty (Madame Blueberry) who entertains the patrons from the stage. She also becomes jealous of Joe when he is named Employee of the Month in her place. She frames him and he is imprisoned for the theft of gold, a crime he did not commit.

Joe keeps a positive attitude in jail and is able to help two inmates who have been haunted by dreams. His predictions come true: one is released, and the other, presumably, is executed. When his reputation comes to the attention of the Mayor (Mr. Nezzer), Joe is summoned to interpret a particularly disturbing dream of the latter, in which seven fat cows are devoured by seven scrawny cows. Joe understands immediately and warns the Mayor: there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine; fill the storehouses now so you'll be prepared.

Joe is put in charge of distributing the grain during the years of famine. When he recognizes his own family has come to procure food, he is overcome with emotion. He wants to reveal himself to them, but first needs to know if they have changed. He devises a plan where he frames the youngest brother, Benjamin, for theft to see how they respond. When all the brothers insist on taking the fall in his place and rue the previous loss of another brother, Joe reveals his identity. The story concludes with the happy reunion.

Cast of Characters

• Larry The Cucumber as Joseph (Little Joe)
• Junior Asparagus as Benjamin
• Jean Claude as Jude
• Phillipe as Reuben
• More Peas as Joe's other brothers
• Pa Grape as Little Joe's father
• Mr. Lunt as a servant at the ranch
• Scallions as the desperados
• Madame Blueberry as Miss Kitty
• Scooter Carrot as McPotipher
• Bob the Tomato as Sheriff Bob
• Jimmy Gourd as the baker
• Jerry Gourd as the blacksmith
• Mr. Nezzer as the Mayor
• Archibald Asparagus as the banker
• Carrots as citizens of Dodgeball City

Segments

• Opening Countertop
• The Ballad of Little Joe
• Silly Song: Bellybutton
• Closing Countertop

Songs

In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:

• Happy Ki-Yi Birthday, sung by the French Peas and Mr. Lunt
• Dream of a Dozen Cactus, sung by Little Joe
• Oh Little Joe I, sung by McPotipher and patrons of the Rootin' Tootin' Pizza Place
• I'm Blue, sung by Miss Kitty
• Oh Little Joe II, sung by Little Joe, Sheriff Bob, the Baker, and the Blacksmith
• Mayor's Dream, sung by the Mayor
• Bellybutton (Silly Song), sung by Boyz in the Sink

DVD Content

Big Idea has consistently packed the VeggieTales DVDs with a variety of additional features intended to appeal to both children and adults alike. This section itemizes the content of the DVD.

Chapters

• 1. Main Titles
• 2. CowBoy Brothers
• 3. Dream Of A Dozen Cactus
• 4. Oh Little Joe I
• 5. "Belly Button"
• 6. Oh Little Joe II
• 7. The Mayor's Dream/Oh Little Joe III
• 8. Family Again/End Titles

Bonus Features

Audio Commentary with Tim Hodge and Mike Nawrocki - Behind the Scenes - Art Gallery - How to Draw Little Joe and Charley Pincher - Progression Reel - Trivia - Tummy Ache Dreams Activity - Interactive Story Book - Karaoke - Family Fun Activity "Minefield" Game - DVD-ROM Fun Activities - PLUS ... Hidden Easter Eggs.

Notes and Trivia

• The brothers live at the "Okie-Dokie Corral," a parody of the O.K. Corral.
• The city where Joe is taken is called "Dodgeball City," a parody of Dodge City, Kansas where the television series Gunsmoke was set.
• When Joe is kidnapped by the bandits, he quotes the Eagles song "Desperado", saying, "Desperados, you better come to your senses!"
• The boy band "Boyz in the Sink" (which is either a parody of "The Backstreet Boys or NSYNC) comprises Larry the Cucumber, Jimmy Gourd, Junior Asparagus, and Mr. Lunt. A special appearance is made by Khalil the Caterpillar.
• Prior to the song "Bellybutton", Larry briefly displays a Barbara Manatee doll from the Silly Song "Endangered Love" which appears on King George and the Ducky.
• The Silly Song "Bellybutton" is one of the only Silly songs in which a power outlet isn't shown in the background.
• At the end of the episode, Larry announces that is leaving for Danish Immersion Camp; this is a tie-in to the next episode, A Snoodle's Tale.
• The Veggie Tales episode Moe and the Big Exit is a sequel to this episode.
• Larry, when saying "Flav, Gurk, Flav", it means "fly, cucumber, fly" in Danish.
• There are several references from Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie: the video game Moby Blaster in the Rootin' Tootin' Pizza Place and Mr. Twisty's Chips in the storage. Also, Khalil The Caterpillar appears in the Silly Song.

External links

• Official Website
• Buy The DVD or The VHS
• Veggietales at Christian Cartoons Online
• Ultimate Veggie