Charles Schulz's award-winning "Peanuts" comics and animated television specials are perennial favorites of adults and children alike. What is it that makes a story about a morose young boy struggling with low self-esteem and social ineptness so timelessly appealing? Perhaps it's the universality of his struggle or Schulz's social commentary that sometimes proved years ahead of its time--or maybe "Peanuts" is just plain great animated entertainment. Regardless of why "Peanuts" remains so popular today, the 1960s gave birth to current classics "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" as well as four other works, with each network debut proving a highly anticipated television event. This two-disc compilation features all six 1960s specials, remastered with strikingly bright colors and crisp, clear pictures for a viewing experience that's simply great.
Probably the best-known "Peanuts" special, the Emmy-award-winning "A Charlie Brown Christmas" follows a despondent Charlie Brown through the Christmas season as he tries to get involved and figure out the true meaning of Christmas. The Emmy-nominated "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" chronicles Charlie Brown's emotional ups and downs as he goes trick-or-treating, attends a Halloween party, and ponders his friend Linus's unfailing belief in the existence of the Great Pumpkin. The lesser-known, but highly engaging special "Charlie Brown's All-Stars" finds Charlie Brown's losing baseball team excited about a sponsorship offer that will provide them with uniforms and entrance into a real league. Problem is, manager Charlie Brown would be forced to cut Snoopy and the girls from the team in order to comply with league rules--a step he's just not willing to take. "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" finds Charlie Brown infatuated with the Little Red-Haired Girl and frustrated with his inability to overcome his shyness and speak to her. "He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown" features an incorrigible Snoopy who, rather than returning to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm for a refresher course in obedience, moves in with Peppermint Patty only to find himself overworked and unhappy. While Snoopy is gone, Charlie Brown and the gang realize just how important a role Snoopy plays in their daily lives. "It Was a Short Summer" is Charlie Brown's reflection on what he did at camp over summer vacation. A 38-minute bonus feature about ""Linus and Lucy"" composer Vince Guaraldi delves into his music and philosophy, detailing the evolution of his music over the years and the integral part that it played in the "Peanuts" television specials. Whether reliving childhood memories or creating a whole new set with children or grandchildren, this classic "Peanuts" collection is perfect for sharing. "--Tami Horiuchi"