Dave and the Giant Pickle
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| Dave and the Giant Pickle | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Phil Vischer |
| Written by | Phil Vischer |
| Starring | Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Chris Olsen, Lisa Vischer |
| Music by | Kurt Heinecke, Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki |
| Distributed by | Sony Wonder |
| Release date(s) | 1996 |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Dave and the Giant Pickle is the fifth episode in the VeggieTales animated series. It was released in 1996. Subtitled "A Lesson in Self-Esteem", it sends the message that with God's help we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. The lesson is illustrated through a retelling of the Biblical story of David and Goliath from the Book of Samuel.
The episode's countertop segments are memorable for giving fans their first glimpse of Larry-Boy and hearing his catchphrase, "I am that hero!"
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The countertop opens with Larry the Cucumber dressed as the superhero Larry-Boy. Backed by a cardboard cityscape, Larry declares that the world needs a hero, a special hero, a superhero. He utters his catchphrase for the first time: "I am that hero!" And then gets stuck to the wall. Bob the Tomato enters and asks about the superhero costume; Larry explains that he doesn't feel special, that "plain old Larry" is "plain old boring". This of course dovetails with the viewer's letter, and Bob introduces the story...
The story begins in Israel where Dave and his brothers are tending a flock of sheep. These sheep tend to tip over a lot which keeps the shepherds busy. Worse, Dave's brothers are constantly picking on him, making him get them food or pick up their sheep.
Jesse, their father, comes with the news that the Philistines are attacking. King Saul is gathering an army to face the threat and all the brothers run to volunteer. But Dave is stopped by Jesse who tells him that "Big people do big things and little people do little things." Dave must stay and tend the sheep.
At King Saul's camp, the Israelites and the Philistines make a deal to end the war quickly. They agree to have their champions, their two greatest fighters, face off; the tribe whose champion is victorious shall win the war, and the losing tribe will become their slaves. Since the Philistines were all Peas, this seemed like a good idea to King Saul until they brought out their champion: the massive and towering Goliath, the Giant Pickle.
(The episode breaks here for Silly Songs with Larry, a number in which Larry, lying on a psychiatrist's couch confesses his love for his lips and his fear of losing them.)
Naturally no one would fight Goliath. For forty days he awaited an adversary. Then one day Dave is sent to the camp to deliver some pizza to his brothers, and he is ashamed at the sight of his brothers and the rest of the Israelites cowering in fear. He goes to King Saul and tells him that he will fight Goliath. King Saul is skeptical but grants his permission. He attempts to make Dave over with his royal armor and sword, but they are much too big. Dave resolves to go into battle just as he is.
Dave goes into battle armed only with stones and his faith in God while Goliath dons boxing gloves. The battle is short; Dave slings a stone at Goliath and hits him just above the eyes. Goliath collapses and the Israelites are victorious.
Back on the countertop Bob explains that through God all things are possible. This means that little people can do big things and that Larry doesn't need to dress up as a superhero to be special.
[edit] Cast of Characters
- Junior Asparagus as Dave
- Jerry Gourd as Dave's brother
- Jimmy Gourd as another brother
- Tom Grape as yet another brother
- Pa Grape as Jesse (Dave's father)
- Archibald Asparagus as King Saul
- Jean Claude, Christoph, and Phillipe as Philistines
- Lenny Carrot and Peas as additional Israelites
- French Peas as additional Philistines
[edit] Segments
- Opening Countertop
- Dave and the Giant Pickle
- Silly Song: I Love My Lips
- Closing Countertop
[edit] Songs
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following two songs:
- Big Things Too!, sung by Dave (Junior Asparagus)
- I Love My Lips (Silly Song), sung by Larry with Archibald Asparagus
[edit] 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.
[edit] Chapters
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Dave the Shepherd
- 3. King Saul's Camp
- 4. "Live My Lips"
- 5. Dave Accepts the Challenge
- 6. "Little Guys"
- 7. Dave Fights Goliath
- 8. What We Learned
[edit] Bonus Features
Audio Commentary - Behind the Scenes - Previews - Dave's Trivia Challenge - Interactive Storybook - Pizza Delivery Maze - Rock, Sword, Boxing Gloves Game - Veggie Karaoke - Kid's Commentary - How to Draw Goliath - How to Draw the Sheep - Family Fun Activity - DVD-ROM Fun
[edit] Notes and Trivia
- The Israelites in this episode are essentially the same bunch that appear in Josh and the Big Wall!: Pa Grape, Tom Grape, Jimmy and Jerry Gourds, and assorted Peas.
- The sheep were the first non-veggie characters to appear in a VeggieTales video.
- This episode introduced the French Peas as insult-hurling Philistines who were inspired by the Frenchmen in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. They appear in many subsequent episodes, most notably Josh and the Big Wall!
- When the character of Larry-Boy was created for the countertop segments, there were no plans at the time to bring him back.
- This episode is included in the The Bumblyburg Super-Hero Value Pack because of Larry-Boy's appearance on the countertop before and after the story.
- In "I Love My Lips", one of the pictures on the wall behind Archibald shows Flibber-o-Loo and Jibberty-Lot from Are You My Neighbor?
