Voices of Cameron Clarke, Sean Collins, Tiffany Billings, and Kristi Baker
Directed by Sam Jaimes
Music by Larry Grossman; Lyrics by Hal Hackady
It took nearly a decade for a sequel to the wildly popular You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown to debut. Despite the cartoons still being fairly popular in the late 70's and 80's, this didn't go over nearly as well, either as a cartoon or a stage show...but does that mean Snoopy's big show isn't worth a look nowadays? Let's have a laugh or two with the Peanuts and their favorite Beagle on this April Fool's and see if this special is worth waiting in the pumpkin patch for...
The Story: Another series of skits revolving around the day-to-day lives of the Peanuts kids and their favorite beagle Snoopy (Clarke). Sally (Ami Foster) and Linus (Jeremy Miller) note leaves falling, which leads into them encouraging each other to be the best they can be. Snoopy wonders what the kids do at school all day, while they agonize over the teacher calling on them. The girls discuss all the things they know now that they're older, while Linus waits in vain for the Great Pumpkin to arrive. They're delighted to share what they think clouds are, and surprised when Snoopy is elected Head Beagle. Charlie Brown (Collins) and Peppermint Patty (Baker) talk about love, while Snoopy writes what he thinks is a gripping novel. In the end, the kids will always have each other's backs, as they remind each other how one person (or dog, or bird) can make all the difference.
The Animation: Not great, not bad. The kids move well enough, and they all resemble their comic book counterparts of the time...and that's really all this series needs. There's even some black-and-white western footage edited in during Snoopy's "Great Writer" sequence.
The Song and Dance: Just as much fun the second time around. If you're a fan of Snoopy or Peppermint Patty, you'll really get a kick out of this one. Clarke has a great time with Snoopy's thoughts, whether he's writing his epic novel or talking about how he's the big dog now. Peppermint Patty makes her musical debut here; Baker is especially effective in the lovely "Poor Sweet Baby" as Charlie Brown dreams of being comforted by someone he loves.
Favorite Number: The movie kicks off with the kids reminding each other "Don't Be Anything Less Than Everything You Can Be." "Snoopy's Song" has him insisting he's no ordinary dog...until Charlie Brown almost trades him in for a cat. The kids all worry their teacher will call on them and ask about "Edgar Allen Poe." "I Know Now" is the girls' big ensemble number, as they reveal how much they've learned since they were younger. Linus remains on "The Vigil" to wait for the elusive Great Pumpkin. Snoopy dons dark glasses to join him.
Everyone has some very creative ideas of what they think "Clouds" are, while "The Great Writer" Snoopy uses his imagination to create what he thinks is a masterpiece. Charlie Brown wishes someone would comfort him and call him "Poor Sweet Baby" in a dreamy, soft routine with Peppermint Patty. Snoopy's thrilled to be "The Big Bow Wow." In the end, they all hold hands and remind each other how important "Just One Person" can be.
Trivia: Snoopy: The Musical had a short run Off-Broadway in 1982. It went over far better in London in 1983, running over a year and getting revived there in 2003, and is popular with regional and school theaters.
What I Don't Like: Once again, we hear Snoopy's thoughts, though the kids don't. If this bothers you or you prefer Snoopy's more traditional pantomime, you probably won't be into the animated specials. The show tune-style songs still sound incongruous coming from actual kids in animation. And the original show was again edited to fit an hour time slot. We lose Charlie Brown's wondering where Snoopy wanders to ("Where Did That Little Dog Go?"), Snoopy reminiscing about Charlie Brown adopting him ("Daisy Hill"), and Snoopy explaining how he sees the kids and their lives ("The World According to Snoopy").
The Big Finale: Still worth digging around for if you or your kids are big fans of Snoopy or the Peanuts.
Home Media: For some reason, this one has never been on DVD in the US. YouTube is pretty much the only place you can currently find it.
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