by Happiness is a new special from you, Charlie Brown.
My generation (those of us who never grew up, anyway) was given two gifts this holiday season. The first was the return of the Muppets in a full-length feature. The second was the return of the Peanuts gang to the small screen with the Thanksgiving showing of Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.
As a fan of both the Peanuts comic strip as well as the many television specials and movies over the years, the first thing that struck me as I watched this brand-new feature was what many people are saying about the new Muppet movie – “The magic is back!”
Charles Schultz‘ Peanuts comic strip kicked off its 50-year run in October of 1950, with just Charlie Brown, Shermie, an early version of Patty, and Charlie’s mischievous dog, Snoopy.
As Charlie Brown gained popularity, adding Lucy, Linus, Pig-Pen, Sally and many others to his circle of friends, he transitioned onto the small screen, with A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) (all of which are held in high regard to this day).
Along with the small screen, there was also A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969), Snoopy Come Home (1972), and Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977), all released in theaters.
But from there, the beloved cartoon went downhill. Substandard Saturday morning appearances and dreadful “educational” entries such as This is America, Charlie Brown transformed the gang from lovable and flawed ragamuffins into preachy, cardboard caricatures of themselves, much like the embarrassing last years of Our Gang (or, the Little Rascals). The charm was gone.
So I approached this new 2011 entry with some understandable skepticism. And I was shocked.
While watching Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, I was immediately struck by how much the special reminded me of the earliest days of the comic strip. The animation leans more into the 1950’s stark, bolder style than the sleeker, polished 1970’s and 1980’s Peanuts gang.
In fact, this new special gives a nod to its roots by reenacting the very first Peanuts strip, which appeared in a measly eight newspapers on Oct. 2, 1950.
Also, the episode is made up of a series of snippets, reminiscent of reading a four-panel strip as opposed to the intricate storylines in later Peanuts specials and movies.
Another pleasant surprise is the return of Snoopy to the “dog” persuasion. The earlier version of Charlie Brown‘s canine companion was much more animalistic and vulnerable, which in turn made him more lovable. Kids everywhere could see Snoopy‘s antics and say, “That is just what my dog does!”
Over the years, Snoopy became more and more “human,” until finally there was not much to distinguish him from other kids in the series (other than the fact he did not talk like the others).
And yes, the grown-ups’ “Muah Maw Muh Muahhh” speaking style, showing just how out of touch they are with us kids-I mean, THOSE kids, is back as well!
If The Muppets brought a smile to your face (and, in some cases, a sentimental tear to your eye), then be sure and check out this newest Peanuts special, now out on DVD!
