Peanuts creator Charles Schultz is gone, but he lives on in the form of Charlie Brown, the sweet little boy who can’t catch a break, Linus and his blanket, Lucy, the meddlesome know-it-all, Schroeder and his piano, Peppermint Patty, Sally, Violet, Marci, Pig-Pen, Frieda, Franklin, Rerun, Snoopy, and of course Woodstock. This 2-disc DVD set contains six of the gang’s memorable TV specials, and dozens of the gang’s antics.
No matter how old they are, people love the Peanuts characters and most can identify with one of them, at least in some small way.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This perennial show was first seen in 1965. Charlie Brown directs the school Christmas pageant and selects the tree for the group. To their chagrin he chooses a tiny little tree that causes the gang to scoff at him. But his little tree manages to bring everyone together to celebrate the joy of the holiday and the true meaning of Christmas. This special won both an Emmy Award and Peabody Award.
Charlie Brown’s All-Stars
Baseball team manager Charlie Brown is gearing up for the opening day of the new season when Linus brings him the facts of his team’s former years. They have yet to show any promise. Then Lucy tells him, “Charlie Brown. Do your team a favor tomorrow. Don’t show up.” Charlie Brown doesn’t heed this advice. He then must decide if his team should become an official little league team, which would be great for most of them. Unfortunately, Snoopy and the girls would not be allowed to play. This 1966 TV special was nominated for two Emmy Awards.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
With everyone else out trick or treating, Linus decides to stay in the pumpkin patch to wait for the Great Pumpkin. Sally decides to stay with the love of her life, Linus, while he waits for the Great Pumpkin and he tells her all about his hero. But unfortunately, the Great Pumpkin never arrived. This 1966 special was also nominated for an Emmy Award.
You’re in Love, Charlie Brown
Little Charlie Brown’s crush on the little red-haired girl dominates his life in this 1967 Emmy-nominated special.
He’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown
This 1968 TV special has Snoopy hiding in Peppermint Patty’s house instead of going to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm for a refresher course in obedience. The show earned an Emmy Award nomination.
It was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown
From this 1969 show, the gang spends the summer at camp. This show also features Snoopy in his disguise as “The Masked Marvel.”
DVD Bonus
This DVD set includes a featurette on Vince Guaraldi, the man who wrote the Linus and Lucy theme song, the song which all Peanuts fans can hum at a moment’s notice. This jazz musician/songwriter gained notoriety with his song Cast Your Fate to the Wind. His collaboration with Peanuts creator Charles Schultz is legendary and he continued to write songs for the Peanuts specials through the years.
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Run Time: 150 minutes
