Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown

Last updated

Race for Your Life,
Charlie Brown
Race for your life charlie brown movie poster.jpg
UK Promotional poster
Directed by
Written by Charles M. Schulz
Produced by
Starring
Edited by
  • Roger Donley
  • Chuck McCann
Music by Ed Bogas
Judy Munsen (music supervisor)
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • July 16, 1977 (1977-07-16)(Japan)
  • August 3, 1977 (1977-08-03)(New York)
  • August 24, 1977 (1977-08-24)(United States)
Running time
75 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.2 million [2]

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown is a 1977 American animated adventure comedy film produced by United Feature Syndicate for Paramount Pictures, directed by Bill Melendez and Phil Roman, and the third in a series of films based on the Peanuts comic strip. [3] It was the first Peanuts feature-length film produced after the death of composer Vince Guaraldi, who was originally intended to score the film, and used the same voice cast from the 1975 and 1976 TV specials, You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown , Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown , and It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown , and the same voice cast member from the 1974 TV special, It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown . However, Liam Martin voiced Linus van Pelt for the last time in the movie, and went on to voice Charlie Brown in the 1978 TV special, What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown! . This would be Stuart Brotman's final role before his death from a brain aneurysm in 2011.

Contents

Unlike the previous two Peanuts theatrical films, Charles M. Schulz wrote an original plot without relying on any specific storyline from the strip. The idea for the film came to him during a family trip, during which he tried rafting with his wife on Rouge River. [4] However, some gags were taken from the strip, such as the one where Snoopy and Peppermint Patty jump on the waterbed. [5]

The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, and came five years after Snoopy, Come Home , and three years before Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) .

Plot

The kids head off to Camp Remote somewhere in the mountains. Upon arrival, the kids are immediately exposed to the regimentation and squalor of camp life. Besides this, the gang must contend with a trio of ruthless bullies and their bobcat, Brutus, vicious enough to intimidate even Snoopy and Woodstock who openly boast of having won a raft race every year they have competed, but are only repelled when Linus uses his security blanket as a whip (which also gets him unwanted attention from Sally). It is revealed that they have only "won" through outright cheating — using a raft equipped with an outboard motor, direction finder, radar and sonar, along with utilizing every trick available to thwart everyone else's chance to even make it to the finish line, much less win the race.

The kids are broken into three groups: the boys' group (consisting of Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder, and Franklin), the girls' group (consisting of Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Sally, and Lucy), and Snoopy and Woodstock. Charlie Brown reluctantly leads the boys' group. His antithesis is Peppermint Patty, the very confident but inept leader of the girls' group who does little more than stand around and give orders. Moreover, she insists that every decision, regardless of inconsequentiality, be confirmed by a vote of secret ballots. Predictably, when the voting is tied or she disagrees with the outcome, she often overrules the decision. The overconfident bullies use their cheating to burst ahead, but while boasting, they fail to watch where they are going and crash into a dock, costing them substantial time.

The groups see many unique sights along the river race, such as mountains, forests, and a riparian logging community of houses built on docks. However, they also run into different obstacles: getting lost, stranded, storms, blizzards, and sabotage from the bullies. Snoopy abandons the race to search tirelessly for Woodstock when a storm separates them; finding an abandoned cabin to retire for the night, was spooked by a bear that was at the door when he was trying to sleep: as was the bear when seeing Snoopy. After a long search, they manage to find each other and are joyfully reunited, later reuniting at the abandoned cabin where the girls claimed it for the night, kicking the boys (including Snoopy and Woodstock) outside where they then had to camp in the snow. Charlie Brown grows increasingly into his leadership role; ultimately, after the bullies sabotage everyone else's rafts, the boys' and girls' teams merge. Although blamed for problems, Charlie Brown handles them well.

Thanks to Charlie Brown's growing self-confidence and leadership, the gang has a good chance of winning the race at its climax. Unfortunately, Peppermint Patty incites the girls to celebrate prematurely; after accidentally knocking the boys overboard, the girls attempt to rescue them, only to fall overboard themselves. Seizing the opportunity to pull ahead, the bullies gloat about their apparently imminent victory; however, their brash over-confidence, infighting, and constant carelessness during the race has seen them become involved in numerous mishaps, substantially damaging their raft. Just shy of the finish line, their raft finally gives out and sinks, leaving Snoopy and Woodstock as the only contenders left. Brutus slashes Snoopy's inner tube with a claw, but Woodstock promptly builds a raft of twigs (with a leaf for a sail) and continues toward victory. When Brutus is about to attack Woodstock, Snoopy punches him, and Woodstock wins the race. Conceding defeat, the bullies vow vengeance next year, but their threats are humiliatingly stopped when Snoopy strangles and punches Brutus for threatening Woodstock again, and Brutus flees in fear of Snoopy's wrath, screeching and yowling in fright.

As the gang boards the bus to depart for home, Charlie Brown decides aloud to use the experience as a lesson to be more confident and assertive, and to believe in himself. Unfortunately, right after he finishes speaking, the bus leaves without him, forcing him to hitch another ride with Snoopy and Woodstock on his motorcycle.

Voice cast

Violet, Patty, Shermy, Pig-Pen, Frieda, and Roy have silent roles.

Reception

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown received 3 out of 5 stars in The New York Times from Janet Maslin, who wrote: "The film runs an hour and quarter and has a rambling plot about a regatta, but it seems less like a continuous story than a series of droll blackout sketches, many of them ending with the obligatory 'Good Grief!' ... The net effect is that of having read the comic strip for an unusually long spell, which can amount to either a delightful experience or a pleasant but slightly wearing one, depending upon the intensity of one's fascination with the basic 'Peanuts' mystique." [6]

Leonard Maltin gave the movie 2.5 out of 4 stars (his lowest rating for the original four Peanuts movies), stating it's "mildly entertaining, but lacks punch". [7]

Home media

The film was released on VHS in 1979 as a Fotomat exclusive, Betamax the same year and LaserDisc in the early 1980s and was also the very first release in 1981 on RCA's now defunct CED format. [8] The VHS was released to mass markets in the early 1980s. It was released on VHS again with new artwork on August 17, 1994, and again on October 1, 1996, under the Paramount Family Favorites label. The film was released for the first time on DVD on February 10, 2015. [9] [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show</i> American animated television series

The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show is an American animated television series featuring characters and storylines from the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts as first presented for television in the Peanuts animated specials. It aired Saturday mornings on the CBS network from 1983 to 1985.

<i>A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving</i> 1973 television special

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is the tenth prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on November 20, 1973, and won an Emmy Award the following year. It was the third holiday special after A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965 and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown in 1966. Except for the opening football gag, it is the first Peanuts TV special to have a completely original script without relying on the strip.

<i>Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Dont Come Back!!)</i> 1980 American animated comedy-drama film

Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown is a 1980 American animated mystery comedy film produced by United Feature Syndicate and distributed by Paramount Pictures, directed by Bill Melendez and Phil Roman. It was the fourth full-length feature film to be based on the Peanuts comic strip and the final one produced during Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz's lifetime.

<i>Its Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown</i> 1984 television special

It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown is the 27th prime-time animated musical television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on CBS on April 16, 1984.

<i>What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown?</i> 1983 animated TV special

What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown? A Tribute is the 26th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz, who introduced the special. It originally aired on the CBS network on May 30, 1983, Memorial Day in the United States, and one week prior to the 39th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. It was rebroadcast on CBS on May 26, 1984 and again on May 29, 1989.

<i>Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!</i> 1986 television special

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! is the 30th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It aired on the CBS network on January 1, 1986. The special focuses on Charlie Brown's difficulty finishing a book report over the holidays. It was the last film made by Bernard Gruver, following his death on June 14, 1985, and it was considered to be his posthumous farewell. Another New Year's special, Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne, was released on Apple TV+ on December 10, 2021.

<i>Its a Mystery, Charlie Brown</i> 1974 animated television special

It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown is the 11th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on February 1, 1974. This was the first Charlie Brown television special that Bill Melendez did not direct, but he still served as producer and provided the voices of Snoopy and Woodstock.

<i>Its the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown</i> 1974 animated television special by Phil Roman

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! is the 12th prime-time animated TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. In the United States, it debuted on CBS on April 9, 1974 at 8 PM.

<i>Youre a Good Sport, Charlie Brown</i> 1975 animated television special

You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown is the 14th prime-time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on October 28, 1975. In this special, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Peppermint Patty participate in a motocross race.

<i>Its Arbor Day, Charlie Brown</i> 1976 animated television special

It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown is the 15th prime-time animated television special based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. The subject of the special is Arbor Day, a secular holiday devoted to planting trees. It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown premiered on the CBS network on March 16, 1976, which is near the dates in which most U.S. states observe Arbor Day. This is the first special to feature the character Rerun van Pelt, who had debuted in the Peanuts comic strip in March 1973.

<i>A Charlie Brown Celebration</i> 1982 animated television special

A Charlie Brown Celebration is the 23rd prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz, who appears in a live-action prologue, and the first hour-long special. It originally aired on the CBS network on May 24, 1982, and consists of a number of stories adapted from the comic strip.

<i>Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown?</i> 1983 US animated television film

Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown? is the 24th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It was originally aired on the CBS network on February 21, 1983. In the special, Charlie Brown tries to cope with learning that Linus and Lucy are moving away. The special is adapted from a storyline from the comic strip that lasted from May 9 to May 21, 1966.

<i>Snoopys Getting Married, Charlie Brown</i> 1985 Peanuts television special

Snoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown is the 28th prime-time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. It was originally aired on the CBS network on March 20, 1985.

<i>A Charlie Brown Valentine</i> 2002 animated television special

A Charlie Brown Valentine is the 40th animated television special based on characters from the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts. It features the Peanuts characters during the week leading up to Valentine's Day. It is the second Valentine's Day-themed Peanuts special, following Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975).

<i>Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown</i> 2003 television special

Lucy Must Be Traded, Charlie Brown is the 42nd prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the ABC network on August 29, 2003.

<i>Its Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown</i> 1992 animated Christmas television special

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is the 36th prime-time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on CBS on November 27, 1992.

<i>Youre in the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown</i> 1994 animated television special

You're in the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown is the 37th prime-time animated television special based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. It premiered on January 18, 1994 on NBC. It was the last new Peanuts special to air on television until A Charlie Brown Valentine in 2002, and the last before Schulz's death in 2000.

<i>Its the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown</i> 2000 animated home video

It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown is the 39th and last animated special produced under the supervision of Charles M. Schulz. Based on characters from the comic strip Peanuts, it was originally released exclusively in VHS and DVD formats on September 12, 2000, seven months after Schulz's death.

<i>Snoopy! The Musical</i> (TV special) 1988 animated television musical

Snoopy! The Musical is the 31st prime-time animated TV special based on characters from the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts. It is an animated adaptation of the musical of the same name, and originally aired on the CBS network on January 29, 1988.

<i>Hes a Bully, Charlie Brown</i> 2006 animated television special

He's a Bully, Charlie Brown is the 44th prime-time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. It was originally aired on the ABC network on November 20, 2006. It is the third most recent Peanuts television special and is primarily based on a story from the Peanuts comic strips originally appearing in April 1995. He's a Bully, Charlie Brown was an idea Schulz had pitched, and worked on before his death on February 12, 2000. Schulz's working title for the special was It's Only Marbles, Charlie Brown. Animation was produced by Toon-Us-In.

References

  1. ↑ "Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (U)". British Board of Film Classification . August 17, 1977. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown". Box Office Mojo .
  3. ↑ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 199. ISBN   0-8160-3831-7 . Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  4. ↑ Ball, Blake Scott (2021). Charlie Brown's America: The Popular Politics of Peanuts. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 162.
  5. ↑ Schulz, Charles M. (2010). The Complete Peanuts 1975-1976. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books. pp. 10–13.
  6. ↑ Maslin, Janet (August 4, 1977). "Screen: Charlie Brown as Before". The New York Times . Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ Maltin, Leonard (2003). Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide 2004. Signet. p. 1128. ISBN   978-0-45-120940-5.
  8. ↑ "Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown - The First RCA VideoDisc Title". CEDMagic.com. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  9. ↑ Lambert, David (November 10, 2014). "Charlie Brown/Peanuts Specials DVD news: Announcement of Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  10. ↑ Lambert, David (November 11, 2014). "Charlie Brown/Peanuts Specials DVD news: Box Art for Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.