This time , we look back at a mini-series "This is America, Charlie Brown". (No we aren't breaking our rule of not doing holiday specials , since none of the episodes are holiday specials ,even though "Mayflower voyagers" airs during Thanksgiving , that's because , why wouldn't it air around Thanksgiving?)
The series is an eight part mini-series that first aired on CBS in 1988 to 1989, focusing on subjects in American History.
1. May Flower Voyagers
The First, episode of the mini series takes place in 1620 , where the Peanuts characters (narrated by Charlie Brown) are on the Mayflower on their way with the pilgrims and the other people who were on their way to the new world on the famous boat. Something , noticeable with this Peanuts series is you will see adults and full adult faces , speaking like people. (Because Wa Wa Wa pilgrims would just be silly) As you see in the special , you see them going through the tough ride on the Mayflower , then when they make it to land the hardship of the first winter the Massachusetts bay colony settlers experienced in 1620, and the meeting of Squanto and the natives leading into "The First Thanksgiving".
2. The Birth of the Constitution
This is the 2nd episode , and like the first episode it has our favorite people ( Sally Brown and Snoopy?) in a different time period (the Peanuts characters are Time Lords, theory, you go write it now!) this time in 1787 when the constitution was being written , the time of the mini-series was around the the commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the writing and ratification. It shows us the hard process of how the constitution was being made , or as Linus statement in the special goes "They can't seem to agree to anything". (Insert your congress joke here)
But it's a really good depiction of the all dis-agreements, compromises, and arm twisting that happened to put the law of the land that we have now to action. (And Black mail?) Especially in a cartoon format.
Come Join us in Kitty Hawk... after the Jump
3. The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk
It's 1903 , and Linus is visiting his cousin in Kitty Hawk , along with Charlie Brown. (Wait, Linus has a cousin in 1903? , Time Lord thing isn't ?) At the beginning of the episode , Sally narrates the history of man trying to fly , which leads us to our Linus on his way to visit his conveniently placed cousin in Kitty Hawk in 1903. (Not to be pedantic , but why is Lucy with Linus ? Is this some how only Linus' cousin and not Lucy's that would mean... sorry back to you) Cousin Dolly tells us that that the Wright Brothers are attempting to fly , and they plan to watch them . Dolly also shows Linus and "Mr.Brown" what the Wright Brothers have been doing so far and how it got the point to where they are now. (Also Peppermint and Patty and Marcie , know Dolly and work for the Wright Brothers...whattt?) Charlie Brown also wrecks the Wright Brothers' kite (surprised) , but they didn't seem to mind.
"Oh Charlie Brown" Copyright Peanuts /Warner Brothers
With out going piece by piece of the episode , we get real good luck at the hard work the Wright Brothers were doing to create what we now possibly couldn't have thought not to have . (Even if Charlie Brown and Linus are Time Lords)
4. The NASA Space Station
In this episode , it's less historical and more our characters on a space station. This episode is also a dream sequence (the others weren't ...my head hurts) of Linus. (Then why did he dream that Lucy is the ... never mind) This episode is also different than the other 3 as it's more Peanuts in Space with different things happening even a football scene.
Linus' Dreams big / Copy right Peanuts
5. The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad
This episode is about events of America building rail roads to the west with the lead to Promontory Point in 1869. Charlie Brown narrates the special , like the first 3 there is involvement with Peanuts characters in the historical event , but unlike the first 3 this one does it's own thing in where they aren't dressed in period clothing or even speaking parts. It's a different pace of the past episodes but still a really good one , especially at historical context. (Also Snoopy makes History great)
6. The Great Inventors
Our Sixth episode , takes us to some great inventors . We meet Alexander Graham Bell ,creator the telephones (without him you would be reading this as news paper , I think?) , Thomas Edison (with out him you would be reading this on a newpaper in the daytime , maybe?) , and Henry Ford (Without him you would be reading this ... this joke is old now). It starts with Sally telling us about other inventions.
I would have done the same things Snoopy. /Copy Right peanuts
The episode is broken into 3 stories with each of the inventors. First Linus who is meeting with Alexander Graham Bell as he is in the middle of creating what will become the telephone. The 2nd story is by Peppermint Patty , who really gets into the story, and Alexender Graham Bell. She meets Graham bell and his daughter as he working on what becomes the phonograph. (Which without ,you wouldn't be able to listen to that George Harrison record you have) When Peppermint Patty needs a break , Marcie take over and tells us about the other invention ,the lightbulb. Charlie Brown comes in at the end and narrates the story of a car race that happened in 1899 where they were tying to prove that cars were a good idea.
7. The Smithsonian and the Presidency
In this episode the Peanuts are visiting the Smithsonian museum and this leads us to a look at three US Presidents : Abraham Lincoln , Theodore Roosevelt , and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Like the last episode ,it's broken up by three stories (since Lincoln and Roosevelts never got a chance to go to the bar together). In the first Linus and Charlie Brown are newspaper boys and meet with Mr.Lincoln who was on his way to give the Gettysburg Address.
President Lincoln talks to Linus and Charlie about his upcoming speech and why he is doing it. We also later get to hear Lincoln give his famous speech . Then we later see Theodore Roosevelt's meeting with John Muir, which later gives us the national park system we have today. Heading to F.D.R, the Peanuts' tell us the history of the Great Depression and lead us to the first inauguration of F.D.R and details of his New Deal.
8. The Music and Heroes of America
The episode begins with Schroeder and Franklin giving a report about the music of America, though Lucy wants to give a report on the Heroes of America. So the teacher (wa wha wa wa ) lets them combine the reports. (Wa wa ) It's a feature mixture of music by Stephen Foster to Rock N' Roll. (Yeah Baby) With the history of great American Heroes, like Amelia Earhart.
And that's the mini-series , I liked it , in fact I have it on DVD from the 2006 release , gladly they were because with the exception of "May Flower Voygers" are not aired on TV as a repeat. I love the music in the episodes like the Dave Grusin composed music of "The Great inventors".
It's also a fun way to present historical information , especially with the Peanuts characters being part of it.
Youtube
That's our Lookback.. tune in next time when we find out the truth that Snoopy's Dog house is a TARDIS.
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