You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown
Encyclopedia
You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown is the 18th prime-time animated
TV special based upon the popular comic strip
Peanuts
, by Charles M. Schulz
. It was originally aired on the CBS
network in March 1979, making it the last Peanuts TV special of the 1970s. It has been released to DVD by Warner Home Video as a bonus feature to You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown
. It will appear in remastered form in the "Peanuts 1970's Collection Vol. 2".
decides to enter the Junior Olympics at his school after it is revealed he is not going on vacation like he thought he would. The decathlon
is the only thing left open, and Charlie Brown accepts the challenge (of course after everyone else there refused to take on such a tough event before Charlie Brown showed up).
Peppermint Patty
, who is the school's coordinator for the Junior Olympics, oversees Charlie's rigorous training for the event. Marcie also watches (and gives encouragement) and Snoopy
works out with him (showing how in-shape he is and how out of shape Charlie is in the process). During a review of the ten events, Patty worries of whether or not he could win, and decides to enter Marcie to back him up.
On day one, Charlie is introduced to his competitors; Marcie, Freddie Fabulous from Fremont
(defending Decathlon champ and smug egotist who calls Charlie Brown "Pumpkin head"), and The Masked Marvel (who is Snoopy from Ace Obedience School). He also places well in the first five events, enough to place him in third after the day is over. Lucy states she is annoyed that Charlie Brown cannot be a total blockhead by his third place ranking, as the Masked Marvel came in dead last (even after winning the final event of the first day, the 400m dash).
Day two starts off bad for Charlie. First he feels nervous due to the increased pressure, then he performs badly in the 110m high hurdles (knocking down all but one hurdle and finishing last by a mile). However, after a tough talk from Peppermint Patty, a great showing in the pole vault and first-place finishes in the discus
and javelin throw
catapults him into first place. Now it's all on the 1500m run to finish it all off and be the school's hero. When Charlie Brown gains the lead over Fabulous Freddie, Lucy is aghast that the world must be ending as Charlie Brown is coming in first. Unfortunately after taking the lead, Charlie Brown closes his eyes and dreams of his victory and winds up running off the track, off the school grounds...and out of contention.
It is learned afterward that their school still wins the Junior Olympics, due to Marcie winning the 1500m (and thus the decathlon) and the disqualifications of Freddie Fabulous and The Masked Marvel (for fighting on the track). Peppermint Patty consoles Charlie Brown, telling him that everybody knows he did his best. Marcie arrives and Charlie Brown congratulates her on the win. Marcie, in turn, replies, "You're a great competitor and a real gentleman. I think you're the greatest, Charles." Uncharacteristically, she then lifts her glasses and winks at Charlie Brown, who blushes.
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
TV special based upon the popular comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
Peanuts
Peanuts
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
, by Charles M. Schulz
Charles M. Schulz
Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.-Early life and education:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schulz grew up in Saint Paul...
. It was originally aired on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network in March 1979, making it the last Peanuts TV special of the 1970s. It has been released to DVD by Warner Home Video as a bonus feature to You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown
You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown
You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown is the 14th prime-time animated TV specials based upon the popular comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It was originally aired on the CBS network on October 28, 1975...
. It will appear in remastered form in the "Peanuts 1970's Collection Vol. 2".
Synopsis
Charlie BrownCharlie Brown
Charles "Charlie" Brown is the protagonist in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.Charlie Brown and his creator have a common connection in that they are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz's work is described as the "most shining example of the American success story", Charlie...
decides to enter the Junior Olympics at his school after it is revealed he is not going on vacation like he thought he would. The decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
is the only thing left open, and Charlie Brown accepts the challenge (of course after everyone else there refused to take on such a tough event before Charlie Brown showed up).
Peppermint Patty
Peppermint Patty
Patricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. A freckle-faced auburn/brunette, she is one of a small group in the strip who lives across town from Charlie Brown and his school friends...
, who is the school's coordinator for the Junior Olympics, oversees Charlie's rigorous training for the event. Marcie also watches (and gives encouragement) and Snoopy
Snoopy
Snoopy is an fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. He is Charlie Brown's pet beagle. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip's most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable...
works out with him (showing how in-shape he is and how out of shape Charlie is in the process). During a review of the ten events, Patty worries of whether or not he could win, and decides to enter Marcie to back him up.
On day one, Charlie is introduced to his competitors; Marcie, Freddie Fabulous from Fremont
Fremont, Ohio
Fremont Public Schools enroll 4,450 students in public primary and secondary schools. The district administers 9 public schools including seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, Fremont Ross. In addition, the city is home to one private catholic high school, Saint Joseph...
(defending Decathlon champ and smug egotist who calls Charlie Brown "Pumpkin head"), and The Masked Marvel (who is Snoopy from Ace Obedience School). He also places well in the first five events, enough to place him in third after the day is over. Lucy states she is annoyed that Charlie Brown cannot be a total blockhead by his third place ranking, as the Masked Marvel came in dead last (even after winning the final event of the first day, the 400m dash).
Day two starts off bad for Charlie. First he feels nervous due to the increased pressure, then he performs badly in the 110m high hurdles (knocking down all but one hurdle and finishing last by a mile). However, after a tough talk from Peppermint Patty, a great showing in the pole vault and first-place finishes in the discus
Discus
Discus, "disk" in Latin, may refer to:* Discus , a progressive rock band from Indonesia* Discus , a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe and enemy of Luke Cage* Discus , a freshwater fish popular with aquarium keepers...
and javelin throw
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
catapults him into first place. Now it's all on the 1500m run to finish it all off and be the school's hero. When Charlie Brown gains the lead over Fabulous Freddie, Lucy is aghast that the world must be ending as Charlie Brown is coming in first. Unfortunately after taking the lead, Charlie Brown closes his eyes and dreams of his victory and winds up running off the track, off the school grounds...and out of contention.
It is learned afterward that their school still wins the Junior Olympics, due to Marcie winning the 1500m (and thus the decathlon) and the disqualifications of Freddie Fabulous and The Masked Marvel (for fighting on the track). Peppermint Patty consoles Charlie Brown, telling him that everybody knows he did his best. Marcie arrives and Charlie Brown congratulates her on the win. Marcie, in turn, replies, "You're a great competitor and a real gentleman. I think you're the greatest, Charles." Uncharacteristically, she then lifts her glasses and winks at Charlie Brown, who blushes.
Trivia
- This show won an Emmy awardEmmy AwardAn Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
. - This is the first and only Peanuts special where Marcie shows her eyes.
- Charlie Brown's grunting as he tries to lift the barbell is the same grunting Daffy DuckDaffy DuckDaffy Duck is an animated cartoon character in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons, often running the gamut between being the best friend and sometimes arch-rival of Bugs Bunny...
made in the 1965 Warner Bros. cartoonLooney TunesLooney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
Tease for TwoTease for TwoTease for Two is a "Looney Tunes" cartoon animated short starring Daffy Duck and the Goofy Gophers . Released August 28, 1965, the cartoon is directed by Robert McKimson. The voices were performed by Mel Blanc....
when Daffy tries lifting a rock. This grunting was supplied by Mel BlancMel BlancMelvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
. - Although Charlie Brown was shown to be in the same school as Peppermint Patty and Marcie, the comic strip and other animated specials have indicated that the two girls go to a different school across town.
- Freddie Fabulous mentions that he is from Fremont. Due to the fact that Fremont is a real place in California, it could possibly mean that the Peanuts gang live in California.
- This was the third Peanuts special/movie to feature teenagers; the second was Race for Your Life, Charlie BrownRace for Your Life, Charlie BrownRace For Your Life, Charlie Brown is a 1977 animated film produced by United Feature Syndicate for Paramount Pictures, directed by Bill Meléndez, and the third in a series of movies based on the Peanuts comic strip...
. The first time was in It Was a Short Summer, Charlie BrownIt Was a Short Summer, Charlie BrownIt Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown is the sixth prime-time animated TV specials based upon the popular comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz. It was directed by Bill Meléndez and originally aired on CBS on September 27, 1969...
. In that special, a teenager was shown briefly.
Voice cast
- Arrin Skelley: Charlie Brown/Vocal Effect
- Michelle Muller: Lucy van Pelt
- Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
: Snoopy/Woodstock/Announcer - Patricia Patts: Peppermint Patty
- Casey Carlson: Marcie
- Daniel Anderson: Linus van Pelt
- Tim Hall: Freddy Fabulous from Fremont
Film Credits
- The "Peanuts" Comic Strip Written and Created by Charles M. SchulzCharles M. SchulzCharles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.-Early life and education:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schulz grew up in Saint Paul...
- A Lee Mendelson-Bill Melendez Production
- Directed by Phil RomanPhil RomanPhilip Roman , is an animator. He is the founder of animation studios Film Roman and Phil Roman Entertainment. Roman is of Mexican American descent....
and Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series... - Produced by Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
- Executive Producer Lee MendelsonLee MendelsonLee Mendelson is an American television producer. He is best known as the executive producer of the many Peanuts animated specials....
- Music by Ed BogasEd BogasEd Bogas, born Edgar Noel Bogas, and sometimes credited as Edward Bogas, is an American rock musician and composer and whose work has been featured in films, animations, and video games.-Career:...
and Judy Munsen - Music Supervision by Joe RaposoJoe RaposoJoseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH was a Portuguese-American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie"...
- Designed by Evert Brown, Bernard GruverBernard GruverBernard Gruver was best known as one of the original animators of the Peanuts cartoon series. He also was an animation professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinema. He was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles in 1985.-External links:*...
, Dean Spille, Lance Nolley, - Animation by Sam Jaimes, Al Pabian, Hank SmithHank SmithHank "Henry" Smith was a cartoon animator, who worked for many Hollywood animation studios during the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. His work includes numerous cartoons for television, including many featuring Mr. Magoo, The Road Runner, Fat Albert, and many of the Peanuts television specials with...
, Larry Leichliter, Bill LittlejohnBill LittlejohnWilliam Charles Littlejohn was an American animator and union organizer. Littlejohn worked on both animated shorts and features from the 1930s through to the 1990s...
, Ed Newmann, Bob Carlson, Hank Tucker, Dale BaerDale BaerDale Baer is a character animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has been supervising animator of many characters.- Supervising Animator :* Yzma/Yzma Kitten - The Emperor's New Groove * Alameda Slim, and Junior - Home on the Range...
, Joe Roman, Spencer Peel, Larry Huber, Herman CohenHerman CohenHerman Cohen was a producer of B-movies during the 1950s, who helped to popularize the teen horror movie genre with films like the cult classic I Was a Teenage Werewolf....
, Bob MatzBob MatzRobert "Bob" Matz was an American animator. He worked on various animated shorts, films, and television projects, such as Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, The Pink Panther, and The Transformers: The Movie.-1960-1961:...
, Jeff HallJeff HallJeff Hall is a cartoon animator and director.-External links:*' at the Internet Movie Database...
, Don Lusk, Rod ScribnerRod ScribnerRoderick H. "Rod" Scribner was an American animator best known for his work on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of cartoons from Warner Bros.. His animation was one of the wildest things ever seen on screen during The Golden Age of American animation. He started as an animator for Ben...
, Segtio Bertolli, Leslie Margolin, Patricia Joy, Warren BatchelderWarren BatchelderWarren Batchelder was an animator on many Warner Bros. and DePatie-Freleng cartoons. He also worked as animation director on the Dungeons and Dragons cartoon show.-Career:Batchelder began his animation career in 1936...
, Manuel PerezManuel PerezManuel Perez may refer to:*Manuel Perez , Boxing Prospect in the Lightweight division*Manuel Perez , California State Assemblyman, 80th District*Manuel Pérez , President of Nicaragua 1843-1844...
, Emery HawkinsEmery HawkinsEmery Hawkins was an American animator who worked at many studios during the golden age of animation, including Disney, Screen Gems, Walter Lantz, Warner Bros., and UPA. His most famous work is undoubtedly the Woody Woodpecker cartoons that he worked on during the 1940s...
, Terrence Lennon, Richard ThompsonRichard Thompson (animator)Richard "Dick" Thompson was an American animator who worked at several animated cartoon departments over a career of four decades. His longest association was with Chuck Jones at Warner Bros. Cartoons and M-G-M. He also worked at Hanna-Barbera and DePatie-Freleng.-Related link:*]]...
, Charles McKimsonCharles McKimsonCharles Edson "Chuck" McKimson, Jr. was an American animator, best known for his work at Warner Bros. studio. He was the younger brother of animators Robert and Thomas McKimson. His father was a newspaperman who later become the editor of the Scandia Journal in Scandia, Kansas.McKimson was born...
, Utit Choomuang, Margaret NicholsMargaret NicholsMargaret E. Nichols is an American psychologist and sex therapist who specializes in sexual minorities and people with HIV. Nichols was an early advocate for people with HIV/AIDS in the United States, with a focus on developing care protocols in suburban communities.-Life and career:After teaching...
, Kenneth MuseKenneth MuseKenneth Lee Muse was an American animator. He is best known for his work on the Tom and Jerry series at MGM.-Biography:...
, Irven SpenceIrven SpenceIrven Spence was an American animator. He is best known for his work on MGM's Tom and Jerry animated shorts. Spence has been credited variously as Irven Spence, Irvin Spence, and Irv Spence....
, Ray PattersonRay Patterson (animator)Raymond "Ray" Patterson was an American animator, producer, and director. Patterson was born in Hollywood, California, and was the brother of animator Don Patterson.-Early career:...
, Ed BargeEd BargeEdward John "Ed" Barge was an American animator.Barge was born to Alfred Edward and Margaret G. Barge in San Jose, California. In 1916, the family moved to Bakersfield, where his father was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad and Pacific Western Oil Co. before retiring in 1954...
, Michael LahMichael LahMichael Richard Lah was an American animator. He is best known for his work at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, primarily as a member of Tex Avery's animation unit....
, Al Grandmain - Checking: Carole Barnes, Eve Fletcher, Jane Gonzales
- Final Check: Peggy Drumm
- Ink and Paint Supervisor: Joanne Lansing
- Ink and Paint: Adele Lenart, Lee Guttman, Karin Stover, Valerie Green, Roubina Babajanian, Lee HoffmanLee HoffmanLee Hoffman, born Shirley Bell Hoffman, was an American science fiction fan, an editor of early folk music fanzines, and an author of science fiction, Western and romance novels.In 1950-53, she edited and published the highly-regarded science fiction fanzine, Quandry...
, Mickey Kreymann, Pat Capozzi, Chandra Poweris, Joan Pabian, Ginny Hansard, Emalene Setter, Karin Holmquist, Karen Webb, Evelyn Hairapetian, Olaya Stephenson, Marie White, Sue Rowan - Editing Chuck McCannChuck McCannChuck McCann is a film actor, television actor, stage actor, and a voice actor from Brooklyn, New York.-Early career:...
, Roger Donley - Music Editing Joe Siracusa
- Negative Cutting Alice Kellior
- Production Manager Carole Barnes
- Camera: Nick Vasu, Inc.
- Dubbing: Producers' Sound Service, Don Minkler
- Voice Recording: Coast Recorders, Music Annex, Inc.
- Music Recording: FilmwaysFilmwaysFilmways, Inc. was a television and film production company founded by American film executive Martin Ransohoff in 1958...
/Wally HeiderWally HeiderWally Heider was an American recording engineer and recording studio owner - History :After a distinguished career as an engineer in the 1940s and 1950s, he was instrumental in recording the San Francisco Sound in the late 60s and early 70s... - Color by MetrocolorMetrocolorMetrocolor is the trade name used by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for films processed at their laboratory. Virtually all of these films were actually shot on Kodak's Eastmancolor film.-External links:* at Internet Movie Database...
- Production Assistants Lora Sackett, Sandy Claxton-Arnold
- in cooperation with United Feature Syndicate, Inc. and Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates
- THE END "You're The Greatest, Charlie Brown" ©1979 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.