This is another re-write edition of a post that I did. I do these at times when I feel I could expand, flesh out and make a post better than previously done, or edit it or add in more thoughts. (You can read the original post here)
The first time I did wrote about this special was in 2015 when I started the Peanuts lookback series as part of the 65th anniversary of Peanuts. I've decided to do this post again because I think there's a little more say and posting it on the date that happens to be 80th Anniversary of D-Day, which connects back to this special. What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown? is the 26th Peanuts special it first aired on CBS (Charlie Brown's Station) on May 30, 1983.
This special is connected to the final Charles Schulz made Peanuts film " Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don't Come Back) " that came out in 1980. The connection being that this special is taking place in France where Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Snoopy have been sent as exchange students. None of the movie characters show up in this special (except at the start of Charlie Brown's story) and the story of the movie doesn't have anything more to happen: they just gave a good reason for the characters to be in France.
It starts with framing device of Charlie Brown taking out a photo album to add photos to it. Sally comes up to him to ask him what is he doing? Charlie Brown mentions the movie and Sally decides ask the question what did he do after the events of the movie before he got home. Then asks him what did he learn? The intro is awkward here. Charlie Brown says the reminds him of a question Linus asked him.
The full title card of this special is interesting and I usually don't talk about the title cards of Peanuts specials. It's very simple: a light blue background with the word "What Have Have Learned, Charlie Brown?" in a dark blue serif font. Then a red under it that says "A Tribute" A very formal card, also kind of bland and stately. This is kind of strange for a Peanuts special.
The phrase "A Tribute" does play into this special and what it does, it'll take a bit of its time to get there, maybe by design.
Charlie Brown tells Sally Brown (ok then) the story in flashback mode. You get the Peanuts hallmarks of Snoopy driving a car , which is apparently a Citroën 2CV so someone went no, we are using a real car here. They get rear-ended by a truck which causes a pile up and I think Marcie starts swearing at the other cars in French.( In the movie, we found out that Marice can speak French) and Snoopy doing television safe version of "the finger". (Kind of , really seems that way) Apparently, it's alright though, so move on? The title card I mentioned earlier shows up here.
In France, this is an insult/ Copyright Peanuts
Alot of this special is just this thing happens then we move on to the next thing happens. I wanted to say vignettes with some cohesion, it's pretty much just stuff happening. Also, I don't think Citroen paid to have their car in this, this would be bad adverting that car wants to die. Can Snoopy fix the car? Snoopy gets electrocuted - Doesn't die, get mad at car and kicks it and the car collapses like it was held together with tissue paper, duct tape and glass. Woodstock fights himself in a mirror, fights is a lying term because he gets injured after hitting the mirror. The non animal characters are like ok don't care, and Peppermint Patty wants lunch. (If they don't care, why should I?)
Eventually, they find a French lady to get a new car from. I love that she accept that Snoopy is a) the car driver, and b) Marcie telling her that he's a World War I Flying Ace. Where I think she's very happy about it. Perfect reaction. The new car has a wind up in the front that is apparently there for a new running gag of Charlie Brown getting electrocuted and nobody caring. (life be like that).
It was a nice touch for them to mention they have to ferry back to England to get the airport to get back home. In the movie they went to England first then ferried to France. This was before the Chunnel existed.
Most of the stuff up to the point the group camps outside in open air until morning. Is kind of a bit silly, but not bad. It has a good mixture of comedy and Peanuts moments. I like how the moment aren't cluttered. Things don't run longer than they should. The jokes get their point and not outstay that. The part where the car is being driven as a mess of pieces and Peppermint Patty being tired of it that quickly. It works. There's not a bunch of talking, and gives itself time to breathe. It is lulling the viewer into something though.
more after jump
