Rewrite edition time, where I feel an older post can be re-done for different reasons In this case, I want to re-do "It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown" to flesh out my old thoughts, add some more things, and because the other old one has dead videos.
It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown came out on CBS (Columbia Beagle System) on April 16, 1984. This has to be the most 80's Peanuts special to exist. It's a good example of Peanuts dipping into current things in some way. Charles Schulz had seen the movie Flashdance and apparently liked it and he decided to dress Snoopy up like Jennifer Beals from that movie in a comic strip from 1983. (November 29, 1983)
Flashbeagle doesn't have a plot, per say, this in the era of Peanuts specials and the Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show going with vignettes instead of a full plot. We're going to be looking at things by segment. (wonderful)
The special has the tone of an episode of "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show" as well as using a piece of music that would was used for the theme song of that show. The music is also on the album also called "FlashBeagle" called "Let's have a party". The first segment has Marcie and Peppermint Patty school stuff based on strips where Peppermint Patty sleeps in class and some of Marcie's sarcastic humor. Peppermint Patty making the teacher question her life decisions. The song segway is wild. It's odd to hear Peppermint Patty say she's dumb.
The song is "She's in Shape" which is sung by Peppermint Patty. Everyone is wearing the most 80's exercise wear worn. The moves were apparently inspired by Charles Schulz then 12-year-old daughter. It's an alright song, I like the part that sounds like it's inspired by "Hey Mickey". You will know that Peppermint Patty is in shape.
The next segment is a short bump, it has Snoopy brushing his fur and Sally talking to Charlie Brown and pretending that Linus did anything with her a party , like he would. Charlie Brown didn't even believe her. (He's right) There's a party and Simon says is played by Lucy takes over and there's a song where Lucy's the boss. The song is like a mash where it looks like Lucy has a cult, but it's a fun a song. Very catchy.
Lucy, please don't kill our families/ Copyright Peanuts
The party continues with the running gag of Sally wanting some "Sweet Baboo". Then a little segment where Charlie Brown notices that Snoopy and Woodstock were drinking a little bit of juice of each cup and Woodstock kind of swam in it. Lucy who doesn't like dog lips wouldn't be happy to find out this news, Charlie Brown just lets it happen. (Revenge?)
There's a country themed song with Pig Pen's hoedown. Pig Pen doing line dancing means there's dust clouds.
I like the backgrounds for outside in this special, they went to work on those clouds. The next song, I really like, it's called "Snoopy". I also like the mention of Lassie and Rin Tin-Tin. Finally, the big sequence, the title song and there's strange Adult peanuts bodies. The Flashbeagle dance was done by rotoscoping. The person they used was "Flashdance" stunt dancer Marine Jahan. It's pretty fun, it's well done 80's song and like they went the extra mile to have real dance moves.
Snoopy comes home "not hung over" but Sally needs something for show 'n tell and brings Snoopy. At first, it does not well for Sally, but a kid apparently brought a boombox and plays music because sure, and it's the Flashbeagle song and Snoopy is up and ready to groove. This feel like they wanted to reprise to fill out the time. Also I never knew the concept of being graded for show 'n tell.
Because 80's .. also the girl in the dress seems confused by this machine and the girl in the back seems impressed. Copyright Peanuts.
It's a light special , again with no plot, but is pretty fun in terms of being a collection of mini music videos. The Flashbeagle song is really the best one of these. The songs were written by Ed Bogas, one of the people who worked on Peanuts music after the death of Vince Guaraldi, and also worked on Garfield specials music, which ties in well with.... Desirée Goyette who not only wrote, but performed a few of the songs. She also worked on a few other Peanuts specials. Joey Scarbury, who is known for the song "Believe it or Not" also worked on the music here. There was also an album called "Flashbeagle" that came out with full versions of the songs featured in this and some extras.
I enjoyed how this special is an 80's capsule. There's a very randomness to the idea of Charles Schulz watching "Flashdance" and thinking sure, let's go. It's not even a film with good reception. It's also rated R, which means it's not even Schulz thinking kids watched it and enjoyed it. Maybe he started the 80's trend of taking R-rated movies and kids shows, not that Peanuts is for kids only. (It's for manly men)
The special is very much a collection of things, instead of being a story and enjoyment of that can depend on your mood. I enjoyed it, because the songs were fun and it's Peanuts, which is a comic strip and known for having pass by moments. Besides the Flashbeagle song, my favorite has to be "Lucy's the Boss", which will please her. It's a fun song, fits Lucy's vibe and just dang catchy.
It's not the best Peanuts special in terms of being a good story or something, but it is fun to see Peanuts characters doing some 80's things and music. That's it for now, tune in next time, when Peanuts was inspired by Die Hard.
