Jessie (Toy Story)

Jessie is a fictional character featured in the film "Toy Story 2". At Christmas in 1999, the Wall Street Journal called Jessie toys among the hottest of the season. [ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB946262658135514908.html?mod=googlewsj "How Did Stores Do This Season? Just Two Syllables: Ka-Ching!", The Wall Street Journal, December 27, 1999. Accessed October 2, 2008] ] In the movie, she is a toy modeled after a character on the fictional television show Woody's Roundup, where the characters consisted of Sheriff Woody, Jessie, Stinky Pete the Prospector and Bullseye, Woody's horse.

Jessie the doll has a character very similar to the one portrayed on the television show. She is excitable, brave and very athletic. The doll, however, carries a great deal of sadness, as she was abandoned by her original owner. Years of being in storage have made her somewhat withdrawn, distrustful and a little claustrophobic, but she longs to again be a source of joy to a child. Jessie also made a cameo in "Monsters, Inc." as one of Boo's toys that she gives to Sully. [ [http://www.pixar.com/featurefilms/ts2/chars_pop5.html Toy Story 2 ] ]

She was voiced by Joan Cusack in the film.

In October, 2000, Jessie received the Patsy Montana Entertainer Award from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. [ [http://www.cowgirl.net/halloffame_specialaward.asp Cowgirl Hall of Fame - Special Awards ] ]

Toy Story 2

When we first meet Jessie, she tackles Woody with excitement at the prospect of finally meeting a Woody doll. She is happy that she and the other toys are finally going to come out of storage and go to the toy museum in Japan that they are destined for.

It is Jessie who introduced Woody to the facts about the character on which he is based. She shows him a large array of merchandise based on "Woody's Roundup" and Stinky Pete explains how the show was canceled after the launch of Sputnik and the resulting interest in the Space Race, diminishing the popularity of westerns.

When Woody indicates that he has no intention of going to Japan, she becomes bitter and Woody comes to suspect her of attempting to sabotage his escape, including waking Al to prevent Woody from recovering his damaged arm. After Woody is fixed he learns Jessie's tragic backstory of her previous owner. Emily a young girl who owned Jessie loved her just like Andy loves Woody, but as she grew older found more 'grown up things' like make-up to play with, forgetting all about Jessie. Years later Emily found Jessie under the bed and spent one last day with her on a car trip, only to place her in a charity box. Woody then chooses to stay after reconsidering his own fate with Andy, which Jessie finds absoulutly thrilling, especially when he begins to anticipate his trip to Japan in excitement.

Ultimately, it is Stinky Pete that is revealed as the attempted saboteur and Woody ultimately offers to take Jessie and Bullseye with him back to Andy's room; Jessie is rather uncertain at first, but eagerly accepts when she learns Andy has a baby sister. This then leads to a climactic chase in which Buzz on Bullseye chases the plane Woody and Jesse are on and saves them from Pete. Andy is pleased to have the new toys and Jessie seems to find a kindred spirit in Buzz Lightyear.

Merchandising

Disney heavily promoted Jessie following the release of "Toy Story 2", as she gave them a character that they could market to girls, something the original film did not provide.Among the items released were:
*Several 10" and 12" fashion-style dolls
*Several plush and rag doll-type dolls
*Action figures in the "Toy Story 2" and "Toy Story and Beyond" lines.
*Wallets, purses and other accessories for girls
*Nightlights and other bedroom accessories
*Costumes and dress-up sets
*High-end sculptures and collectibles

References