Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975)

Just Okay

No Peanuts special can ever compare to the gold standard: the Christmas special. However, any special where Snoopy does a puppet show (the "Pawpet Theatre") isn't all bad. "Be My Valentine" isn't very funny and is rather depressing. But there are a few cute moments and it makes for a quick holiday treat. Worth owning and rewatching? Possibly not... February 27, 2008

"She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not"

This Peanuts DVD includes three love-related specials. The title feature, "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" is the first of the three cartoons on the disc. This special aired on television in 1975 and was nominated for an Emmy. Mostly based around Schultz's original strips, the main story follows Charlie Brown as he survives Valentine's Day. The cartoon begins with Snoopy dancing around as cupid and trying to hit Charlie Brown and missing every single time. Charlie Brown faithfully checks his mailbox hoping to get a Valentine and brings a briefcase to school to carry home all the cards he plans to receive. Meanwhile, Linus has a crush on his teacher and buys her an expensive box of chocolates as a gift that Sally believes is for her.

The second special on the disc is "You're in Love, Charlie Brown". The school year is quickly approaching the end of the year and Charlie Brown finds himself head over heals in love with the cute little red-haired girl in his class. He fights to overcome his shyness to speak with the girl before the school year ends because after that, he won't be able to see her until the fall.

The third and final special on the DVD is "It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown". This time it's October and the school is gearing up for the big homecoming game and dance. During the homecoming parade, Charlie Brown is informed by Linus that he's going to be the queen's escort at the dance and he will have to kiss her on the cheek. The Queen is none other than the little red-haired girl and Charlie Brown finds himself more nervous than he's ever been before. Of course, before the homecoming dance there's the big homecoming football game.

In addition to a few trailers, BE MY VALENTINE, CHARLIE BROWN also includes a featurette documentary, "Unlucky in Love: An Unrequited Love Story." I really enjoyed this documentary. It includes interviews with Jean Schulz, Charles' widow; his son Craig; Stephan Pastis the creator of "Pearls Before Swine", and several others. They talk about the reoccurring theme of unrequited love that appears in "Peanuts", who the real little red-haired girl was, and why "Peanuts" remains relevant.

BE MY VALENTINE, CHARLIE BROWN is a must-own DVD for any "Peanuts" fan. February 18, 2008

Stunning!

I already have this title in several editions (UK, US & German, how sad am I?!!!) however this edition stands out in both visual clarity & sound quality. I had to look at the release dates just to check they were really as old as they were. The remastering quality is stunning (why couldnt this have been done before?????????????). I have already ordered the 'Easter Beagle' in this set, and am looking forward to this in new & stunning clarity. I may now already have every Charlie Brown available on DVD, but i will certainly continue to buy these re-releases as the quality more than justifies the cost, and the little extras are a real bonus too! February 15, 2008

I Would Be,Charlie Brown

I actually like this guy-Charlie Brown is one cartoon character I can relate to alot.This has to be the least sentimental valentines special ever.In it Linus developes an unrequited crush on Mrs.Authmar (his teacher)and Charlie Brown,in his ever growing search for friends,finds himself without a singles valentine.AWWWWWWWWWW!Like many children who saw this I actually wanted to send him one.And of course Sally continues in her fruitless pursuit of her Sweet Baboo.Whatching Linus scattering his box of chocolates,inteneded for his teacher over the bridge is one of the classic Peanuts scenes I can think of-each time Snoopy and Woodstock manage to swallow the chocolate lol.And of course the guilt wridden girls trying to pawn off a used valentine to Charlie Brown,which even for a kid if going pretty low only to be nearly repelled by the ever caustic Schroder.No matter-Charlie Brown in desperation takes the valentine.Ah well better to have loved delusionally then never to have loved at all. May 19, 2005

The dark side of Valentine's Day

Charles M. Schulz shows us the dark side of the holiday with Charlie Brown's trauma & Linus's crush. However, it's this harsh look at reality that has made the Peanuts specials so endearing because CB never gives up, and humor can be found in almost any situation. February 22, 2005

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