“Peanuts 1970s Collection: Volume 2” DVD Review

I was excited to have the opportunity to review “Peanuts: 1970’s Collection, Vol. 2” on DVD.  Warner Home Video released “Peanuts: 1970’s Collection, Vol 2” on June 1st, 2010.  The DVD includes some fun specials, such as “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” (1975), “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown” (1975), “It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown” (1976), “What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown” (1978),  “It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown” (1977), and “You’re the Greatest, Charlie Brown” (1979).  The DVD is available online and in stores and retails for $29.98.

These six classic specials have been completely re-mastered for beautiful picture and sound quality.  This set is a follow-up to “Peanuts: 1970’s Collection, Vol 1” and includes a series of specials which were broadcast during the second half of the 70s.  Plus, this set includes a bonus featurette you won’t want to miss!

Featured Specials:

– “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” (1975) – In this Emmy nominated special, the Peanuts gang make preparations for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday.  Everyone has high hopes of having their dreams of love and friendship fufilled.  Charlie Brown wants to get a Valentine from anyone and patiently waits by his mailbox.  Linus is on a mission to find a perfect Valentine’s gift for his favorite teacher, Miss Othmar.  Lucy wants Schroeder to finally notice her.  Will they be satisfied to their heart’s content or are they headed for heartbreak?

– “You’re a Good Sport, Charlie Brown” (1975) – Start your engines!  It’s Motocross season and competing against the likes of Peppermint Patty and the Masked Marvel – aka a certain daredevil beagle named Snoopy – can intimidate anyone.  But if Charlie Brown – tagged with unlucky number 13 – can keep the pace slow and steady (as well as hold onto his helmet), he might just win the race!  It’s fast and furious right up through the finish line with this wonderful Emmy Award winner.

– “It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown” (1976) – In this Emmy nominated special, the Peanuts gang undertakes a gardening project to celebrate Arbor Day and wind up turning Charlie Brown’s baseball diamond into a lush garden.  Charlie Brown, who has a game approaching against Peppermint Patty’s team, makes the best of the situation by attaching gloves and caps onto the trees.  Curiously, this turns as an advantage for him.  Peppermint Patty’s team is unable to score because all the balls are hit right in the gloves.  Will Charlie Brown’s team win the big game?

– “What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown” (1978) – Charlie Brown is dismayed at Snoopy’s complacent attitude, thinking he’s become too comfortable in his home life.  That night, Snoopy dreams he’s an Alaska sled dog, who is mistreated by his sled master and his fellow sled dogs who deny him food and water.  The comforts of home never seemed so distant and Snoopy reaches his breaking point.  Will he take a stand and face up to the fierce pack as they make their way through the snowy wilderness?

– “It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown” (1977) – It’s Homecoming night and Charlie Brown is asked to escort the homecoming queen, who just so happens to be the elusive, little red-haired girl whom he has been pining for all his life.  In spite of his trembling from nervousness, he escorts her to the dance floor and somehow summons up the courage to kiss her on the cheek.  This kiss is electrifying and sends him to cloud nine.  However, from that moment forward, everything becomes a complete blur.  Charlie brown wakes the next morning having no memory of anything that happened.  Did he manage to sweep the little red-haired girl off her feet?  
 
– “You’re the Greatest, Charlie Brown” (1979) – In this Emmy Award winning special, hard work and team spirit are what Charlie Brown needs to win the decathlon at the school Junior Olympics event.  His competitors are Marcie, defending Decathlon champ Freddie Fabulous and the Masked Marvel (aka, Snoopy).  On the first day, Charlie Brown places third. On day two however, he begins to feel the pressure. He’s faced with having to tackle the high hurdles, pole vault, discus/javelin throw, and other events. Will he emerge victorious and win the Olympics for his school?
 
DVD Special Features Include:
 
– “You’re Groovy, Charlie Brown: A Look at Peanuts in the ‘70s” – This featurette takes a look at the Peanutsin the ‘70s. From the daily work rituals and comic strip techniques of Charles Schulz, to the environment of Creative Associates, Peanuts is examined in this loving tribute to the comic strip and animation.  This is the story of how Peanuts and the 1970s were the perfect blend.

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this set of classic Charlie Brown/Peanuts specials.  I remember watching “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” when I was younger and loving it!  It was fun to watch with my kids, who loved it as well!  It is a great DVD set and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to review it.  Thank you Warner Home Video!

I received a copy of “Peanuts: 1970’s Collection, Vol 2” on DVD from Warner Home Video to facilitate this review.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.