Peanuts - The 1960's Collection
A Present for Patient Peanuts Fans
DVD Review by Jon Cooke
Ever since acquiring the license to release the vast Peanuts animation library to DVD last year, Warner Home Video has been releasing a steady stream of single "deluxe edition" discs covering a bulk of the more well-known television specials based on Charles Schulz's classic comic strip. In fact, these started coming out in such regularity that I silently decided to stop reviewing them here on GAC. I was afraid our Reviews section would soon look like it was being devoted exclusively to the beagle and his "blockhead" owner (for some past WB Peanuts DVD reviews click here, here or here). However, I had to make an exception for something collectors have been clamoring for since the beginning: a chronological collection of these beloved animated specials.
I won't go into detail about why these specials are so enjoyable. That's been covered in past reviews. However, I will focus more on the pros and cons of this new 2-disc set. If you have been patient and haven't been tempted to pick up any of these newly remastered Peanuts DVDs, then this is a must-buy. All of the specials included on this new set are the same beautifully restored versions that have been available on previous DVDs. The picture quality is amazing. I don't think I have ever seen these vintage specials look this great. Also included are two lesser-known 1960s specials that have been previously unavailable on DVD: He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968) and It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (1969).
Here is a breakdown of the contents of each disc:
Disc 1:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - This one needs no introduction. This is the special that started it all and has been a staple of holiday viewing since it first aired. Chances are you already have this one somewhere in your DVD collection. Charlie Brown is growing tired of the commercialization of the holiday, becomes director of the school Christmas pageant, and learns the true meaning of Christmas in a memorable speech by Linus.
- Charlie Brown's All-Stars! (1966) - Charlie Brown's team has lost yet another baseball game and their morale is low. Their spirits are soon lifted upon hearing the news that Mr. Hennessey, the owner of the local hardware store, is willing to sponsor the team and provide them with uniforms. However, Charlie soon learns that the team will only get the uniforms once the girls and dog are off the team. Charlie Brown must choose between his friends and league membership. A lesser known and highly enjoyable special that still ranks as one of the very best on this collection.
- It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) - This is the other Peanuts special we all know by heart. Linus spends his entire Halloween holding out hope of catching a glimpse of the elusive "Great Pumpkin". Meanwhile, the rest of the gang goes trick-or-treating and attend a Halloween party. Snoopy has a fantasy of becoming the World War I Flying Ace.
Disc 2:
- You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967) - On the last day of school, Charlie Brown longs to talk to that Little Red-Haired Girl. Even though the packaging claims this special is on Disc 1, it is really included on the second disc. I should also note that this appears to be an all-new transfer, there are no DVNR issues like on the version included as part of the Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown disc.
- He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968) - Peppermint Patty plays a prominent role in this special about the gang growing tired of Snoopy's mischief. This would be the first in a line of more Snoopy-centric productions to come...
- It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (1969) - On the first day of the new school year, Charlie Brown has a flashback to the gang's summer at camp. This special features Snoopy in the guise of his alter-ego, "The Masked Marvel".
Of course, the downside is if you have been purchasing the Peanuts discs all along you will have to repurchase four specials that you already own in order to get the two new-to-disc cartoons. The extras are also on the skimpy side. Unfortunately, the newly created and informative documentary featurettes available on the single-disc "deluxe" versions of Christmas and Great Pumpkin are not included on the new 1960's Collection. The lone bonus feature is an all-new 40-minute featurette profiling jazz musician Vince Guaraldi, the man who provided the famous background music for these early Peanuts cartoons. This can be found on the second disc. While the documentary is interesting, you can't help but wish there was a bit more included.
In the end, it's the content that counts and these cartoons are the cream of the crop. These 1960's specials represent the animated Peanuts at their peak and all six of these specials are wonderful. The picture and sound is excellent and these classics have never looked better. It is also very convenient having the specials being released in this chronological format (as opposed to having them randomly spread out among the series of single-disc releases) and I hope it continues. This is the set you'll want to own. Recommended.
More images:
GAC Reviews "Peanuts" Archive:
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown
It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown
You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
The Peanuts Holiday Collection
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All cartoon characters are (c) and TM their respective owners. Images © Warner Home Video and United Features Syndicate. Textual content © 2009 by Jon Cooke.
