It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Good grief, is that a dog delivering Easter eggs?
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this holiday special incorporates the subtle and ageless humor of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, and is appropriate for all ages. Though it focuses on an important Christian holiday there is no real depiction of faith, just more secular traditions like trying on Easter bonnets and dyeing Easter eggs. Though the titular beagle brightens almost everyone's Easter morning, poor old Charlie Brown is still left out.

  • Quirky friends demonstrate affection and perseverance. A dig at holiday consumerism is included, as is an acknowledgement of the often-glossed-over feeling of holiday blues.
  • Not applicable.
  • Dog kisses abound.

What's the story?

With IT'S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN, creator Charles Schulz takes aim at holiday consumerism much as he did in the better known A Charlie Brown Christmas. This time the Peanuts gang is getting ready for Easter; Peppermint Patty (voiced by Linda Ercoli) is determined to demonstrate the art of Easter egg dyeing to her friend Marcie (Jimmy Ahrens), who seems just as destined to thwart all attempts. Linus (Stephen Shea) has turned his faith from the Great Pumpkin to the Easter Beagle, who he promises will make Easter special for all of them. And Lucy (Melanie Kohn) believes this holiday should be about "getting," a misunderstanding reinforced by scenes set in department stores already decked for the Christmas holidays.


Is it any good?

 

While it's difficult for any Peanuts film to achieve the magic of the Christmas special, with its melding of secular and spiritual themes, this one comes close. It does focus on the "fun" parts of the holiday like participating in Easter egg hunts and buying a special Easter outfit. But it also takes on holiday consumerism and disappointment. Charlie Brown laments that holidays are a time that you look forward to being happy, "but then something spoils it all." Viewers of all ages may relate to that sentiment now and then.

As with every Peanuts film, the message is swathed in terrific humor. The scenes of Marcie's ill-fated attempts to prepare eggs for dyeing will have everyone laughing. Snoopy and Woodstock's wordless interactions speak volumes, especially when Woodstock moves into his deluxe '70s-era bachelor birdhouse.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the children's visit to the department store for Easter shopping -- why were they surprised to see Christmas decorations on sale? Do you think that religious holidays are sometimes taken over by commercial interests? Does that affect how you celebrate?


This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
Parent of 6 year old
August 17, 2009
 
Disappointed there was no Great Pumpkin? This one's for you.
Linus' belief in the Easter Beagle is sort of a rehashed and even sillier Great Pumpkin, i.e., a lot of pomp and circumstance with no delivery. But then in the end, Snoopy comes through. Some good Peppermint Patty and Marcie silliness make this a seasonal winner.

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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Great for young eyes.
This of all Peanuts show is very intertaining for children.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
Studio:Paramount Pictures
Director:Phil Roman
Cast:Melanie Kohn, Stephen Shea, Todd Barbee
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:25 minutes
Theatrical release date:April 9, 1974
DVD release date:February 18, 2008
MPAA rating:NR

This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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