The Star of Christmas facts for kids

The Star of Christmas is an animated movie made with computers, released in 2002. It's the 14th episode of the popular VeggieTales series and the second special for the holidays. The film came out on October 26, 2002. Later, on September 5, 2006, it was released again as part of a Holiday Double Feature with another episode, The Toy that Saved Christmas.

Unlike most VeggieTales episodes, this one doesn't have the usual "A Lesson in..." part or the kitchen counter scenes. Instead, it shares an important message: you can't make people love by putting on big, flashy shows. True love comes from your heart. The movie teaches that Jesus is the real "Star of Christmas" because He shows us how to love from the heart.

The story of The Star of Christmas features two characters who want to write operas. They are inspired by famous real-life writers, W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. VeggieTales has made fun of Gilbert and Sullivan's work before in episodes like Lyle the Kindly Viking and The Mikado in Sumo of the Opera. But in this movie, they make fun of Gilbert and Sullivan themselves.

The Star of Christmas was nominated for an Annie Award in 2002. This award was for "Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Home Video Production." However, it did not win, losing to Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun.

Discovering the Story

The movie takes place in London, England, in the year 1882. It starts with two friends, Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps. They write catchy jingles for a living but dream of becoming famous in musical theater. Millward is happy just to see their work on billboards. But Cavis believes they can change London, which has some problems, by putting on a huge musical. He thinks this show will inspire people to show more love.

They get their chance when Millward's Uncle Nezzer lets them use his theater. They plan a big show called "The Princess and the Plumber" for Christmas Eve. The only problem is, the script isn't finished, and the show is in just three days!

Preparing for the Big Show

Their friend Seymour Schwenk, an inventor, arrives in a cool experimental rocket car. He brings them a box of light bulbs. Cavis thinks that if their show is super bright and shiny, it will be a bigger hit. He plans to put lights everywhere: in the scenery and even on the costumes!

They still have a lot to do. They need to convince the city's best singer, Constance Effie Pickering, to be the star. They also need to make sure Prince Calvin Fredrick will attend the first show. Cavis and his helper, Bob Winston, work on getting Pickering and the Prince. Meanwhile, Millward tries hard to finish the script. Everything seems to be coming together, and Cavis feels sure their show will be a huge success.

The Competing Pageant

Cavis sees a flyer for a Christmas play at a local church. It's planned for the same night as their big show. He goes to check it out. He watches Edmund Gilbert preparing a simple children's play. Cavis decides it's too small to be a threat to their grand production.

However, the church play plans to feature something called the "Star of Christmas." As Cavis leaves the church, he wonders aloud about this "Star." Arthur McHollingshead, a historian, overhears him. Arthur reveals that the Star of Christmas is a very old and special item. It hasn't been seen by the public in 79 years! Arthur quickly rushes off to share the news, and it becomes the main headline in the newspaper the next morning.

A Daring Plan

Cavis realizes they might lose their audience, especially the Prince, to the church pageant. He promises to make their own show even bigger and flashier. But they can't compete with the famous Star of Christmas. In a desperate move, Cavis and Millward go to the church to steal the Star.

They get caught by "Moyer the Destroyer," an old man guarding the relic. Cavis and Millward barely escape with what they think is the Star. With the "Star" and all their bright lights, Cavis is sure "The Princess and the Plumber" will be a guaranteed hit.

Trouble and Lessons Learned

During the dress rehearsal, too many lights cause the curtains to catch fire. In minutes, the theater burns down, and the "Star of Christmas" is destroyed. As they stand sadly, an officer named Dwiglight Howarde arrives with Moyer LaGumtree. Cavis and Millward are arrested.

In jail, they meet another prisoner, Charles Pincher. He laughs at their idea of spreading love with a fancy stage show. He says that real love doesn't expect fame or money in return. True love means helping others without wanting anything for yourself. He claims that this kind of love is very rare.

Edmond and his father, Jesse, come to the jail to free Cavis and Millward. They choose not to press charges for the theft of the "Star." Cavis is touched by their kindness and wants to go to the church pageant. But the pageant starts in ten minutes, and there's no time to get there.

Just then, Seymour shows up in his rocket car! He trusts Millward to drive them to the church on time. It's a wild ride with lots of close calls, but they arrive just as the pageant is about to begin.

The pageant goes on, with the Prince and Miss Pickering watching. Cavis finally understands that Christmas isn't about fancy shows or bright lights. He learns that it's about Jesus. After the play, Moyer appears and reveals that the real Star of Christmas is safe. He explains that Cavis and Millward had actually taken the "Turtle of Damascus," which most people think is a fake. The movie ends with Cavis and Millward bringing cookies and a gift to Charles Pincher in his jail cell.

Making the Movie

The team making The Star of Christmas had a very tight schedule in late 2001. They had to finish the film quickly for Christmas. During this time, the air conditioning was left on, but a heat wave never hit the studio. Many people even slept in their offices to get the movie done! Near the end of production, Mike Nawrocki mentioned he would be on his Sunday drive around New Year's Eve. They were at a cafe, the same one used for the first showing of "Larryboy and the Rumor Weed." Lisa Vischer sang "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" during the premiere of "Star of Christmas."

Characters in the Story

• Phil Vischer as Cavis Appythart (who looks like Bob the Tomato), Ebenezer Nezzer (Mr. Nezzer), Seymour Schwenk (Pa Grape), Arthur Hollingshead (Archibald Asparagus), Plummer (Jimmy Gourd), Prince Fredrick (Mr. Lunt), Percy Pea, Phillipe Pea, Frairie Pea, and other Cast Members.
• Mike Nawrocki as Millward Phelps (who looks like Larry the Cucumber), Winston (Jean-Claude Pea), Constable (Jerry Gourd), Frairie Peas, Stranger Pea, and other Cast Members.
• Jacquelyn Ritz as Effie Pickering (Madame Blueberry) and Laura Carrot.
• Lisa Vischer as Edmund Gilbert (Junior Asparagus).
• Dan Anderson as Reverend Gilbert (Dad Asparagus).
• Jim Poole as Moyer (Scooter Carrot).
• Tim Hodge as Charlie Pincher.
• Mike Sage as Tradesman.
• Shelby Vischer as Abigail (Annie).
• Matthew Hodge as Wiseman Pea.
• Josh Vulcano as Angel Pea.

The "Walla Group" (people who make background crowd sounds) included: Ian Hodge, Adam Frick, Tim Hodge, Laura Richy, Aimee Dupriest, Peggy Heinrichsen, Julea Love, and Jesse Tewson.

Songs from the Film

Because of how this show is set up, this episode does not have the usual "What We Have Learned" or "VeggieTales Theme" songs. However, it does include five new, short songs and one traditional Christmas song:

• "First Big Break," sung by Cavis Appythart.
• "We Are the Frarie Peas," sung by the Frarie Peas.
• "Plumber, You Dropped Your Possum," sung by Millward Phelps.
• "Flushing in Vain," sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering and the Plumber.
• "Plugged Up Love," sung by Miss Constance Effie Pickering, the Plumber, and the Frarie Peas.
• "O come, O come, Emmanuel," a traditional song sung by Lisa Vischer during the ending credits.