Picking up right where the 1960’s Collection left off, Disc 1 opens with Play It Again, Charlie Brown (1971), appearing on DVD for the first time. The story focuses on Lucy trying to win Schroeder’s affections although he has no interest in her. To get on his good side, she volunteers him to play a recital for a PTA benefit show, which he is thankful for until it turns out Beethoven isn’t allowed on the program.
School is tough for the gang in There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown (1973), and an upcoming report on an art museum field trip will determine if Charlie Brown passes or fails the term. Unfortunately, he and some others get lost from the rest of the students and end up in a supermarket, which they assume contains Pop Art exhibits, so Charlie Brown only has Linus’ photos to rely on. This special marks Marcie’s television debut.
Also included on Disc 1 are previously released specials You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown (1972) and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973), available separately and in the Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, which have been reviewed elsewhere.
Disc 2 features two specials from 1974: It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown making its DVD debut and It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. In Mystery, Snoopy dons his Sherlock Holmes outfit and comes to the aide of his pal Woodstock whose nest turns up missing after a storm. Easter Beagle finds Linus once again trumpeting an alternative holiday figure that no one else believes in, but this time he has better luck. This special also features subplots of Woodstock getting a birdhouse, and Marcie’s many failed attempts at learning how to color Easter Eggs.
As bonuses to this collection there is the all-new, 13-minute feature, “Woodstock: Creating Snoopy’s Sidekick,” and two free iTunes downloads from the Charlie Brown’s Holiday Hits soundtrack, “Thanksgiving Theme” and “Charlie’s Blues.”
All six Peanuts specials are very funny due to creator Charles Schulz’ great wit and insight into human nature. While it’s understandable from a marketing perspective why the studios had grouped together the classic Peanuts specials with the later, mediocre ones to move and maximize product, these chronological collections are the best way to own them as they clearly demonstrate the talents of all involved.
From "Thanksgiving":
Article comments
1 - Fran
Very nice review. I love Peanuts - always have.
2 - El Bicho
Thanks, Fran. I agree with you up until about the mid-'80s when Sparky should have packed it in
3 - Christine
El, I love SNOOPY! And the bird (Woodstock) in fact all the peanuts! They are very very cool! Every year me and my daughter watch the Peanuts Christmas DVD's!
4 - Christine
..and the Thanksgiving and I think we have the Halloween one.
5 - El Bicho
I want to go back and read the original strips. I have read some when I was a kid but it's been like 30 years and I am certain I didn't get all of what I was reading
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
I wish they would make all the OSTs from each cartoon available. I know they have a great version of the Christmas Special from Monster Music but I would love the actual soundtrack from each cartoon.
7 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*Oops* BTW, Nice Review... I definitely want the 1960s collection.
8 - Greg Barbrick
One of my favorite things about Peanuts cartoons is that whenever the adults talk it is just a bunch of squawking horn sounds.
That's the way they always sounded to me too.
9 - El Bicho
what, Greg?
10 - Christine
#8.."...whenever the adults talk it is just a bunch of squawking horn sounds." Yeah that is terrific. By the way, there is a cute one called "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" !!!
11 - Cindy
That's the way they always sounded to me too.
They still sound that way to me..."wah wah wah wah wah wah wah..."
12 - El Bicho
"there is a cute one called "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" !!!"
It's already available on DVD, but will also be on the 1970's Vol. 2 set