Sumo of the Opera
Encyclopedia
Sumo of the Opera is the 24th episode in the VeggieTales
series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Perseverance", it teaches viewers the importance of working through adversity to accomplish one's goals. It was released in fall of 2004 in DVD
and VHS
format.
After doing a generic parody of a Gilbert and Sullivan
musical in Lyle the Kindly Viking
, the show's creators have now gone one step further. The main story here is a direct spoof of a specific Gilbert and Sullivan production, The Mikado
. The parody is so transparent, in fact, that most of the music is credited to Arthur Sullivan
himself. See "Notes and Trivia" below for more information.
In addition, this release contains an eclectic mix of other influences as well. While Sumo of the Opera draws plot elements from the movies Rocky
and The Karate Kid, the segment that precedes it is an homage to both the Three Stooges
and a Laurel and Hardy
short film called The Music Box
. Even the requisite Silly Song
is a parody, this time of the 1970's educational shorts Schoolhouse Rock!
The first segment, "Going Up!", is a silent film short based on Laurel and Hardy
and The Three Stooges. Three Stooge-like veggies are assigned to deliver a grand piano to a mansion at the top of an enormous hill. While his fellow workers give up the impossible task in frustration, Curly (Larry) perseveres and is rewarded for his eventual success.
The Silly Song
follows, a "Schoolhouse Polka" reminiscent of the Schoolhouse Rock!
series of educational shorts. Larry plays the accordion and sings a song about homophones, the accordion somehow rendering sounds like an electric guitar
in a blistering solo.
While Bob looks for a relevant film for Larry, Lutfi presents an interim story about the origin of St. Patrick's Day. Done in the style of a flannelgraph
, the story tells about Maewyn Succat, a young English boy who is kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland
. His new life is miserable and he spends his days in constant prayer, even as those around him celebrate paganism
. When God tells him it's time to leave, Maewyn runs away and returns to England by way of France. Back at home, Maewyn continues his scholarship and dreams that the people of Ireland are begging him to come back and teach them about Christianity
. Maewyn grows up to become a bishop
, is rechristened "Patrick", and fulfills his destiny to return to Ireland and teach the Word of God.
Finally the main segment begins. In Sumo of the Opera, Larry stars as the Italian Scallion, a Sumo wrestler who has difficulty taking anything seriously. Although he succeeds in defeating his sparring partner Po-Ta-To, he does accidentally as a result of his clowning around: Po slips on a banana peel and falls from the ring, injuring his back
He is admonished for his joking by Mikey (Pa Grape), who accuses him of being weak, lacking ambition, and never completing what he starts. When Hadrian reminds him that he has not yet fixed his bike, Scallion has no defense.
Meanwhile, Apollo Gourd, the champion, is looking for an opponent now that Po has been injured. The prize is a new "Tiger Bike". Needing the bike for Hadrian (Junior Asparagus), Scallion accepts the challenge. Mikey agrees to become his trainer on the condition that Scallion does everything he says.
Scallion starts out well and trains hard, but when things get difficult, he quits. Mikey is unable to change his mind. However, when Scallion sees Hadrian emulating him he realizes that he must set a good example (and, of course, still owes him that bike). He returns to his training with relish and eventually is ready for his match with Apollo Gourd, though naturally no one gives him a chance.
Scallion does surprisingly well in the match. He lasts longer in the ring than anyone ever has against Apollo. However, it is not enough. They both tumble out of the ring at the same moment, rendering the match a tie. Unfortunately this means that Apollo remains the champion. In spite of this, Scallion is victorious for having persevered and even completes the repairs to Hadrian's bike as well.
Back on the countertop we see that Larry has also persevered and completed his charity work.
DVDs with a variety of additional features intended to appeal to both children and adults alike. This section itemizes the content of the DVD.
, David Pitts, and animator Brian K. Roberts
- Behind the Scenes - "Going Up!" Alternate Version - Art Gallery - Progression Reel - Previews - Sumo Trivia - Persistence Maze - Veggie Karaoke - How to Draw Apollo Gourd and Maewyn - Family Fun and Sock Puppet Activities - Interactive Storybook: "A Snoodle's Tale" - DVD-ROM Fun Activities - PLUS ... Hidden Easter Eggs
VeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
series. Subtitled "A Lesson in Perseverance", it teaches viewers the importance of working through adversity to accomplish one's goals. It was released in fall of 2004 in DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
and VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
format.
After doing a generic parody of a Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan
Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian-era theatrical partnership of the librettist W. S. Gilbert and the composer Arthur Sullivan . The two men collaborated on fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896, of which H.M.S...
musical in Lyle the Kindly Viking
Lyle the Kindly Viking
Lyle the Kindly Viking is the fifteenth episode of the VeggieTales animated series. It was released on March 24, 2001 and then in 2002 on DVD...
, the show's creators have now gone one step further. The main story here is a direct spoof of a specific Gilbert and Sullivan production, The Mikado
The Mikado
The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, their ninth of fourteen operatic collaborations...
. The parody is so transparent, in fact, that most of the music is credited to Arthur Sullivan
Arthur Sullivan
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO was an English composer of Irish and Italian ancestry. He is best known for his series of 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert, including such enduring works as H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado...
himself. See "Notes and Trivia" below for more information.
In addition, this release contains an eclectic mix of other influences as well. While Sumo of the Opera draws plot elements from the movies Rocky
Rocky
Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and both written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It tells the rags to riches American Dream story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated but kind-hearted debt collector for a loan shark in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
and The Karate Kid, the segment that precedes it is an homage to both the Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
and a Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
short film called The Music Box
The Music Box (film)
The Music Box is a Laurel and Hardy short film comedy released in 1932. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, which depicts the pair attempting to move a piano up a large flight of steps, won the first Academy Award for Live Action...
. Even the requisite Silly Song
Silly Songs with Larry
Silly Songs with Larry is a regular feature in the Big Idea's popular 3D cartoon series VeggieTales. It generally consists of Larry the Cucumber singing either alone or with some of the other Veggie characters. Occasionally, another character or an ensemble gets the lead vocal. It is occasionally...
is a parody, this time of the 1970's educational shorts Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock! is an American interstitial programming series of animated musical educational short films that aired during the Saturday morning children's programming on the U.S. television network ABC. The topics covered included grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and civics...
Synopsis
The opening countertop sequence finds Bob the Tomato alone with a curious sock puppet of a cucumber named Lutfi. Larry the Cucumber, we learn, is on his way to do charity work but is facing an inordinate amount of difficulty in getting there. Bob and Lutfi need to convince him via telephone to persevere rather than giving up and coming home.The first segment, "Going Up!", is a silent film short based on Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
and The Three Stooges. Three Stooge-like veggies are assigned to deliver a grand piano to a mansion at the top of an enormous hill. While his fellow workers give up the impossible task in frustration, Curly (Larry) perseveres and is rewarded for his eventual success.
The Silly Song
Silly Songs with Larry
Silly Songs with Larry is a regular feature in the Big Idea's popular 3D cartoon series VeggieTales. It generally consists of Larry the Cucumber singing either alone or with some of the other Veggie characters. Occasionally, another character or an ensemble gets the lead vocal. It is occasionally...
follows, a "Schoolhouse Polka" reminiscent of the Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock!
Schoolhouse Rock! is an American interstitial programming series of animated musical educational short films that aired during the Saturday morning children's programming on the U.S. television network ABC. The topics covered included grammar, science, economics, history, mathematics, and civics...
series of educational shorts. Larry plays the accordion and sings a song about homophones, the accordion somehow rendering sounds like an electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
in a blistering solo.
While Bob looks for a relevant film for Larry, Lutfi presents an interim story about the origin of St. Patrick's Day. Done in the style of a flannelgraph
Flannelgraph
Flannelgraph is a storytelling system that uses a board covered with flannel fabric, usually resting on an easel. It is very similar to Fuzzy Felt, although its primary use is as a storytelling medium, rather than as a toy....
, the story tells about Maewyn Succat, a young English boy who is kidnapped by pirates and sold as a slave in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His new life is miserable and he spends his days in constant prayer, even as those around him celebrate paganism
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
. When God tells him it's time to leave, Maewyn runs away and returns to England by way of France. Back at home, Maewyn continues his scholarship and dreams that the people of Ireland are begging him to come back and teach them about Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Maewyn grows up to become a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, is rechristened "Patrick", and fulfills his destiny to return to Ireland and teach the Word of God.
Finally the main segment begins. In Sumo of the Opera, Larry stars as the Italian Scallion, a Sumo wrestler who has difficulty taking anything seriously. Although he succeeds in defeating his sparring partner Po-Ta-To, he does accidentally as a result of his clowning around: Po slips on a banana peel and falls from the ring, injuring his back
He is admonished for his joking by Mikey (Pa Grape), who accuses him of being weak, lacking ambition, and never completing what he starts. When Hadrian reminds him that he has not yet fixed his bike, Scallion has no defense.
Meanwhile, Apollo Gourd, the champion, is looking for an opponent now that Po has been injured. The prize is a new "Tiger Bike". Needing the bike for Hadrian (Junior Asparagus), Scallion accepts the challenge. Mikey agrees to become his trainer on the condition that Scallion does everything he says.
Scallion starts out well and trains hard, but when things get difficult, he quits. Mikey is unable to change his mind. However, when Scallion sees Hadrian emulating him he realizes that he must set a good example (and, of course, still owes him that bike). He returns to his training with relish and eventually is ready for his match with Apollo Gourd, though naturally no one gives him a chance.
Scallion does surprisingly well in the match. He lasts longer in the ring than anyone ever has against Apollo. However, it is not enough. They both tumble out of the ring at the same moment, rendering the match a tie. Unfortunately this means that Apollo remains the champion. In spite of this, Scallion is victorious for having persevered and even completes the repairs to Hadrian's bike as well.
Back on the countertop we see that Larry has also persevered and completed his charity work.
Going Up!
- Larry The Cucumber as CurlyCurly HowardJerome Lester "Jerry" Horwitz , better known by his stage name Curly Howard, was an American comedian and vaudevillian. He is best known as a member of the American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges, along with his older brothers Moe Howard and Shemp Howard, and actor Larry Fine...
- Jerry Gourd as LarryLarry Fine (actor)Louis Feinberg , known professionally as Larry Fine, was an American comedian and actor, who is best known as a member of the comedy act The Three Stooges.-Early life:...
- Mr. Lunt as MoeMoe HowardMoses Harry Horwitz , known professionally as Moe Howard, was an American actor and comedian best known as the leader of The Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades...
- Mr. Nezzer as the Delivery Boss
- Scooter Carrot as the Ice Cream Man
- Madame Blueberry as the Mansion Owner
The Story of St. Patrick
- St. Patrick/Maewyn Succat
- Maewyn's master
- Boat Captain
- Other citizens of Ireland and England
Sumo of the Opera
- Larry The Cucumber as the Italian Scallion
- Mister Twisty as Apollo Gourd
- Jimmy Gourd as Jim Gourdly
- Jerry Gourd as the Cameraman
- Bob the Tomato as Bobby
- Junior Asparagus as Hadrian
- Pa Grape as Mikey
- Mr. Lunt as the Sushi Chef
- Archibald Asparagus a randomly-appearing educator
- Sumo chorus
- Other townspeople
Segments
- Opening Countertop
- Going up!
- Silly SongSilly Songs with LarrySilly Songs with Larry is a regular feature in the Big Idea's popular 3D cartoon series VeggieTales. It generally consists of Larry the Cucumber singing either alone or with some of the other Veggie characters. Occasionally, another character or an ensemble gets the lead vocal. It is occasionally...
: Schoolhouse Polka - The Story of St. Patrick
- Sumo of the Opera
- Closing Countertop
Songs
In addition to the ubiquitous "VeggieTales Theme" and "What We Have Learned," this episode contains the following songs:- Wrestlers of Japan, sung by the Sumo chorus
- A Joking Sumo I, sung by the Italian Scallion
- He's Accepted the Challenge (Part 1), sung by the Sumo chorus
- He's Accepted the Challenge (Part 2), sung by the Sumo chorus
- A Sumo Can't Go Wrong, sung by the Sumo chorus
- The Feeling of Finishing, sung by the entire cast
- Schoolhouse Polka (Silly SongSilly Songs with LarrySilly Songs with Larry is a regular feature in the Big Idea's popular 3D cartoon series VeggieTales. It generally consists of Larry the Cucumber singing either alone or with some of the other Veggie characters. Occasionally, another character or an ensemble gets the lead vocal. It is occasionally...
), sung by Larry
DVD Content
Big Idea has consistently packed the VeggieTalesVeggieTales
VeggieTales is an American series of children's computer animated films featuring anthropomorphic vegetables in stories conveying moral themes based on Christianity...
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
- Countertop Intro
- Going Up
- Schoolhouse Polka
- The Story of St. Patrick
- Sumo of the Opera
- Italian Scallion Accepts the Challenge
- Eye On The Tiger
- What We Have Learned
Bonus Features
Audio Commentary from Mike NawrockiMike Nawrocki
Michael Nawrocki is an American voice actor, writer, animator and director. He is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Big Idea Entertainment, the company best known for bringing computer-animated vegetables to life in the popular VeggieTales series...
, David Pitts, and animator Brian K. Roberts
Brian K. Roberts
Brian K. Roberts is a television director and sometimes an actor. He has been the voice of Gourdon the Bully in the Christian series VeggieTales for Big Idea Productions since 2005...
- Behind the Scenes - "Going Up!" Alternate Version - Art Gallery - Progression Reel - Previews - Sumo Trivia - Persistence Maze - Veggie Karaoke - How to Draw Apollo Gourd and Maewyn - Family Fun and Sock Puppet Activities - Interactive Storybook: "A Snoodle's Tale" - DVD-ROM Fun Activities - PLUS ... Hidden Easter Eggs