Pea-nu-u-uts ...To You!

 

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975; the 13^th animated Peanuts special) is notable to me because of the animated Valentine card Snoopy clips out of paper; it was, perhaps, the ultimate origin of a fantastic wind-up toy I imagined that was basically an entire kingdom with a castle, figures, a wood, caves, a dragon, and an encircling river complete with sea monster.  It was an image that, for a while, I never ceased to add to and meditate on.

This DVD includes You’re in Love, Charlie Brown (1967; the 4^th animated special). I hadn’t seen this one in years. The animation style and voices are very reminiscent of the Christmas and Halloween specials; in fact, Lucy even recalls that she was supposed to be the Christmas Queen! I love this slice of nostalgia. Also included but not so interesting is It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (1977; the 16^th animated special). But it showed the Little Red-Haired Girl at last and established her name as Heather; two facts that Charles Schulz later vehemently ignored.

It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (1974; the 12^th animated special) shows the gang in typical mode as they struggle with another holiday. Linus assures Sally that no preparations are necessary as the ‘Easter Beagle’ will bring eggs for all; Sally says that sounds suspiciously familiar. Lucy plans to win the celebration by both hiding and finding all the eggs. Peppermint Patty tries to show Marcie how to color Easter eggs, but Marcie keeps cooking them in various ways other than boiling. Snoopy makes sure all ends happily, except, of course, there is no egg left for Charlie Brown.

This DVD comes with only one other special, It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976; the 15^th animated special). The connection appears to be because both holidays often occur in March. This was the last Peanuts special to include original Vince Guaraldi music; he died on February 6, 1976, at the age of 46. Much too soon. He was a deep part of the soundtrack of my childhood.

In an oddly related note, I had just ordered these shows a few days before when I learned that Peter Robbins, who supplied the voice for Charlie Brown in the first few specials, had committed suicide on January 18^th, at the age of 65. He had a life-long struggle with mental problems, apparently. That was depressing; it was almost as if Charlie Brown himself had committed suicide, and with my usual superstitious guilt I wondered if my sudden attention had been a jinx. Calmer reflection made me realize that that was a stupid and selfish reaction. Rest in Peace, Peter.