Make a Joyful Noise (26 Jan. 1981)

Joe Kagen gives up his failing farm and moves to Sleepy Eye, where he helps one of Mary's students.

Director:

William F. Claxton

Writers:

Laura Ingalls Wilder (based upon the series of books "Little House" by), Kathleen McGhee-Anderson

Stars:

Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, Lindsay Greenbush

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls Kendall
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (credit only) (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (credit only) (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Merlin Olsen	...	Jonathan Garvey
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Keith Coogan	...	Timothy (as Keith Mitchell)
Starletta DuPois	...	Freda
Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls Wilder (credit only)
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls (credit only)
Randy Gray	...	Wayne
Moses Gunn	...	Joe Kagan
Simeon Holloway	...	Minister
Ketty Lester	...	Hester-Sue Terhune
Mel Stewart	...	Hertzell Lundy
De'voreaux White	...	Gideon (as D. White)

Storyline

Timothy is a little blind boy who thinks he is above everyone and he acts like he isn't blind which causes problems. He doesn't want to be there so he refuses to participate in choir or anything even though he can sing very well. Joe Kagan is helping out in Sleepy Eye so he stops by and helps out with the child when he can. He is also interested in Hester Sue. Hester Sue is about to marry a funeral director who Joe doesn't approve of because she is not in love with him and he is not right for her. He tries to show her the error of her ways before it is too late.

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Plot Keywords:

interrupted wedding | children singing | removing wedding ring | wedding ceremony | wedding | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1981 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ed Friendly Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Moses Gunn first appeared as boxer Joe Kagan in season 4, episode 10, The Fighter, Ketty Lester played his long-suffering wife, Janie. Ms. Lester later debuted as Hester Sue Terhune in season 5, episode 12, Blind Journey. She would play this character for the remainder of the series.

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Goofs

At the wedding, Hertzell, his best man and the organist are all wearing suits from the early 1980s.

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Soundtracks

"Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes"
Traditional Melody
Played by church organist

User Reviews

Whatcha Know, Joe.

After one failed crop too many, Joe Kagen has decided to pull up stakes and leave Walnut Grove. Next stop, Sleepy Eye, the land of opportunity where he would take on a temporary partnership with Jonathan until he could "stake his claim". First, he delivers a package to the blind school. Mary was delighted to see him (you know what I mean), as was Hester Sue, as she's always had a thing for Joe. It seems running the school has been hectic for the women, what with Adam away and a new student, Timothy, who was as stubborn as they come. The other kids picked on him because he refused to accept the fact he was without sight and refused to conform. While this was going on, Joe took up a temporary position as the school's handyman because apparently Houston went away too. On top of that, he constantly gets the brush off from Hester Sue, who wasn't too happy that Joe sold his farm and moved. She thought of him as irresponsible. When she wasn't dodging Joe or dating the head of a funeral parlor, Hertzell Lundy, Hester Sue tried endlessly to reach out to Timothy, who was a stubborn little smartass. Her doubts were starting to get the better of her, which caused her to start thinking about marrying Hertzell and retire from teaching. She thinks that just because she can't reach ONE child, she feels she's losing her touch. How petty can you get? However, Mary knows that Hester Sue's heart really belongs to Joe Kagen and she simply can't bring herself to admit it. She wants to marry Hertzell because he was a man of responsibility and he had a job, which of course is more important than love and happiness, right?

While Hester Sue dealt with her love triangle, Joe decided to teach Timothy how to defend himself from the school bullies. Being an former boxer, Joe taught the boy everything he knew. The only problem was that Timothy wasn't willing to learn. After badgering him with a punching bag, however, he managed to work out some really raw aggression. He had some bad feelings that really needed to be worked out, and just when Timothy started making some progress, Hester Sue interfered. She was letting her hidden feelings for Joe cloud her judgment by thinking she knew best in this case. However, as any bystander can tell you, Joe's methods for Timothy are just a little more effective than Hester Sue's. As if Joe didn't have enough problems, Hertzell comes by and breaks the news to Joe that he and Hester Sue were going to be married. Sure that the object of his affection was making a big mistake, Joe confronted her on it and she told him to take a flying leap. Yeah, Joe, how dare you care about her well being? So, after that, Joe decided he was just going to pack up and leave. He couldn't stand the thought of living in the same town as his married love interest. Well, as Joe wrestles with his inner torment, the day of the wedding soon arrived. The impatient bridegroom wanted to get things started quickly. I guess he's in a hurry to get to the honeymoon. Old dog. So as Hester Sue seemed to be stalling for reasons unknown, Joe stopped by the blind school to say goodbye. All the children sang a hymn, and thanks to Joe's guidance, Timothy was there to sing too, and did he have a powerful voice. Getting an idea, Joe decides he should bring this delightful chorus to the church. Sure enough, Hertzell was revealed as a child-hating douche so Hester Sue calls off the wedding, she and Joe make amends, so now all is well.

So long, Joe Kagen. He will never been seen or heard from again. He was an interesting character, and I find it weird since he disappeared at the end of Season 5, only to now resurface in the middle of Season 7 for a send-off. Oh well, at least he was one of the few Little House secondary characters who got remembered. Moses Gunn plays Joe to perfection. He is just a likable character and never seemed to be given much to do. Ketty Lester was good as Hester Sue, who is remarkably stuck up. She's like an older version of Mary, or Laura, or maybe both. She spends the whole episode acting like she's holier than thou. Sure she can't bring herself to admit her feelings for Joe, but why drag other people through the mud in the process? Keith Coogan did a nice job as Timothy, a character we don't really learn that much about. I guess his was a plot line lost among the story of Hester Sue's love triangle. While this episode is really nothing spectacular or even memorable, it's still pretty good. Check it out if you like Joe Kagen and see how his legacy on Little House concluded.