Posted: 02/21/2010

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

by Del Harvey

The beloved classic from Charles Schultz is released on DVD on February 9, 2010.

The Peanuts gang perform various comedy sketches from the original live-action musical. Charlie Brown’s friends take turns describing him, each time telling him, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Lucy tries to convince Schroeder that the two of them should get married, but he does his best to ignore her, instead focusing all his attention upon his piano. Lucy, frustrated, “My Aunt Marion was right – never try to discuss marriage with a musician!” In another segment Charlie Brown goes kite flying. But he has never been able to keep a kit in the air. Still, hope springs eternal and Charlie approaches each day as though this might be the one. In another segment Sally is writing a letter to Ann Flanders about the valentines cards she gets. Charlie Brown gives Lucy a valentine but screws up by writing, “This is for you, Lucy. Merry Christmas.” Then Charlie Brown sees Marcie and thinks she is going to give him a valentine but he’s mistaken. When Lucy tries to discuss saucepans with Schroeder, he can’t stand it, screaming out. Snoopy imagines he is a wild animal in his segment. In the segment, “Book Report,” Charlie Brown, Schroeder, Linus and Lucy try to write up their reports on “Peter Rabbit,” spawning a huge discussion without conclusion. And Lucy teaches Linus about nature in her own, unique way while Charlie Brown tries to help her, correcting her whenever possible – but she’ll have none of that nonsense from her brother. Still, when all is said and done, everyone can agree on one thing – “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Special Features:
-Animating A Charlie Brown Musical
(This documentary featurette explores the twenty year journey of the 1967 Clark Gesner album that became a Broadway hit and finally an animated TV special.)

Own it on DVD on February 9. You can check out the official site here: http://www.penutsdvd.com.

Del Harvey is the founder of Film Monthly, a film teacher, a writer and a film critic in Chicago.

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