| 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. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this Emmy Award-winning Peanuts movie is funny and entertaining, and reinforces important lessons about trying your best even when the competition is intimidating. Made in 1975, this DVD features a few historical sports references that may go over kids' heads, but otherwise Charlie Brown's sporting efforts have stood the test of time. A bonus episode included on the DVD is also sports-focused.
In YOU'RE A GOOD SPORT, CHARLIE BROWN, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz took inspiration from his son's lifelong love of dirt biking to write a funny TV special reinforcing the merits of good sportsmanship. Charlie Brown (voiced by Duncan Watson) is invited by Peppermint Patty (Stuart Brotman) to participate in a charity motocross event. Despite his inexperience and broken-down equipment, Charlie Brown enters and finds himself pitted against mysterious competitor The Masked Marvel, who has every advantage to win the race. In the second episode entitled "You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown," The Marvel and Charlie Brown meet up again, this time at a school track meet.
The Peanuts movies are family favorites for the very attributes that characterize these two stories: funny, slapstick animation paired with a hapless hero to teach good values. The fact that Charlie Brown isn't a sure bet to be the winner of any contest he undertakes makes him accessible to children who are gaining confidence only as they gain skills. At the same time, Charlie Brown has a few solid friends who encourage him, love him despite his faults, and help him keep both wins and losses in perspective.
There may be a need for explanation from parents on scoring for tennis and for decathlons, as well as references to the big names in track from 1975 like Bruce Jenner and Dick Fosbury. Even without that, kids should be able to follow along the action just fine, entertained by Snoopy at every turn.
Families can talk about the examples of good and bad sportsmanship in both specials. What do you think it takes to be a good sport? Have you ever competed with someone who you thought was a great competitor, like Marcy considers Charlie Brown? What made that person a good sport?
| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Phil Roman |
| Cast: | Duncan Watson, Melanie Kohn, Stuart Brotman |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 24 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 28, 1975 |
| DVD release date: | January 27, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |