Really Surprised!

Good concept, poorly executed.

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Basically chronicling a single hectic and eventful day in the life of the eternally hapless, yet persistent and endearing Charlie Brown and his friends, this musical TV special by Clark Gesner does an exceptionally fine job of astutely capturing the warmth, humor, and intelligence of Charles M. Schulz's classic comic strip. The loosely strung together series of funny and colorful vignettes cover all the essential bases: Charlie Brown tries to fly a kite without much success, doesn't get any cards on Valentine's Day, loses a big baseball game, and pines for the little redhead girl from afar. Meanwhile, the smitten Lucy hits on the disinterested Schroeder and everyone struggles with writing a book report and rehearses a song for a school play. Of course, the ever-lovable Snoopy provides a sizable share of the laughs contained herein, with his absurdly grand number about supper time rating as a definite gut-busting highlight. Moreover, the songs are delightfully catchy, lively, and joyous (the titular tune in particular is simply fantastic and the infectiously merry "Happiness" concludes everything on a beautifully sweet and positive note). The cast of mostly child actors acquit themselves well with their roles, with token adult Robert Towers a real stand-out as the sublimely hearty and melodious singing voice for Snoopy. It's the novel and inspired musical angle which gives this cartoon a certain freshness and vitality that in turn makes it a total treat to watch. A top-rate show.

The animated version of Clark Gesner's play "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown", based of course on the beloved comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz is truly one of the most delightful and heart-warming and beautiful animated specials – or let's get even broader, films – that I've seen in a long time. I am not familiar at all with the stage production; I only know a little bit about its history, but having seen this wonderful little film, I am now eager to track down a showing and purchase a ticket. Personally, I am not a huge fan of musicals, especially not ones for children, but this is a major exception. Maybe because Peanuts and the play were written more for adults, but can carry a meaning to children as well, this works out brilliantly.The story is basically a day in the life of our favorite Peanuts characters: Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Snoopy, and of course, ol' wishy-washy Charlie Brown. The story tackles all our favorite running gags from the comic strip and brings them to life with a new style: surprisingly well-written songs with breathtakingly beautiful music flooding into our ears. All of these songs, most notably "Schroeder", "Glee Club", and the ending note "Happiness" are utterly beautiful and there were moments I nearly started to tear up because it was so artistic and wonderful and it reached down into my soul and touched me in a way that only a really good movie can do. And the remarkable thing about these songs and what makes me, a Peanuts fanatic, so enthralled by them is how accurately they capture the spirit of the comic strip. Remember, these songs were written without the collaboration of Schulz or animator Bill Melendez, so that makes the special worth even more praise. Most of the movie is dominated by songs, but it does not simply stop there; it also takes the liberty of incorporating dialogue, mostly taken from Schulz's strip to keep the overall spirit."You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" is one of the most thoroughly enjoyable pieces of animation that I've seen in a long, long time. It got me interested from the spirit-capturing opening, enthralled me with one great song after another, I laughed, I smiled, I clapped my hands, I had a great time. I have only complaint: the movie is *only* about fifty minutes long! That is way, way too short. The special ran by so quickly and so wonderfully that I was left wanting more. Why couldn't this have gone on at least ten or twenty minutes longer? Fifty minutes is not enough for something this rich and sweet and beautiful.

Peanuts is without a doubt, one of the greatest comic strips ever created. And the TV specials that were spawned from the strip are equally enjoyable to this day. But among the over forty specials created, there is one glaring special that should not have been made. The special, in question, is 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.' This special originated from an off-Broadway play. Yes, a musical. And it shows throughout the special. Charles Schulz did not create this one. Even if audiences didn't know off the bat that Schulz had not written this piece, it would become quickly evident that he hadn't. This special was originally created by a man named Clark Gesner, in the 1960's. According to the bonus feature included in the DVD, "Animating A Charlie Brown Musical", it wasn't even until roughly twenty years later this the play was made into this TV special.The bonus featurette is about the only major positive to this DVD, sadly. While there are some funny jokes here and there throughout the different segments--this was not one continuous movie. It was just a bundle of separate skits--the fact that Gesner tried to literally adapt the comic strip to the stage, and then to the small screen, made this one of the lesser enjoyable Peanuts pieces.The only thing that made the bonus feature worthwhile was that producer, Lee Mendelson did try to defend the strip. As a result, he gave audiences a little known fact in that Black Eyed Peas member, Fergie, (a.k.a Stacy Ferguson) was a member of the Peanuts gang in the 1984 special, 'It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.' The reference was made in Mendelson's attempt to defend 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.' The bonus featurette included in this DVD made the DVD worth buying for true Peanuts fans and collectors. But unlike so many of the Peanuts specials that have been released in recent years, this is one of the few that lacks any bonus special(s). So all audiences really get with this new DVD is the one special, with no bells or whistles. Just Clark Gesner's off-Broadway play animated for television. So even if audiences are avid fans and collectors, this is a special that will sadly likely find itself spending more time on a DVD rack than in a DVD player.

Out of all the Peanuts specials that are not Holiday specials, this is my personal favourite. Christmas, Great Pumpkin, and Easter Beagle will always be best, but besides those few, this is my favourite. The only one that rivals it is A Charlie Brown celebration, and that is only for it's sheer insanity. First off, the songs all absolutely rule. The kite flying song and the theme song are both among the greatest songs ever written for TV. But the greatest song from all Peanuts specials, is and will always be Happiness. Every time I hear it, I'm singing it for days. As far as story goes, there really isn't one. It's just really an animated version of highlights from the play. But, my what highlights they are. The baseball scene is one of the best ever. I finally taped the show when it aired on Nick-at-Nite recently, and now I can watch it whenever I want. Just two complaints- the classic theme song is not featured at all, and Snoopy talks (in a rather effeminate voice). But besides that, a classic from start to finish. This started out as a Broadway play. Sadly, I can only imagine Gary Burghoff as Charlie Brown.