It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown

It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown
GenreAnimated television special
Created byCharles M. Schulz
Directed byBill Melendez
Voices of
Theme music composerVince Guaraldi
Opening theme"It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown"
Ending theme"It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown"
ComposersVince Guaraldi
John Scott Trotter
Lee Mendelson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersLee Mendelson
Bill Melendez
EditorsBob Gillis
Chuck McCann
Steve Melendez
Running time25:05
Production companiesLee Mendelson Film Productions
Bill Melendez Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 27, 1969 (1969-09-27)
Related

It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown is the sixth prime-time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, created by Charles M. Schulz.[1] It was directed by Bill Melendez and originally aired on CBS on September 27, 1969.[2]

It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown was the first Peanuts special not to receive any Emmy Award nominations.

Plot

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As summer vacation begins, Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder, and Pig-Pen enthusiastically plan to indulge in comic books, television, baseball, and classical music. However, their excitement is abruptly curtailed when Lucy informs them that she has enrolled them all in summer camp. While the girls eagerly anticipate the adventure, the boys are dismayed by the prospect. The boys, displaying reluctance, jostle one another as they board the bus, while the girls form an orderly line.

Upon arrival at camp, Charlie Brown is appointed captain of the boys' team. The boys and girls engage in a series of competitions, starting with a swimming race in which the girls claim a decisive victory. This is followed by a softball game, where the boys are soundly defeated, scoring only a single run. The remaining contests continue in similarly one-sided fashion, leaving the boys increasingly demoralized.

Feeling dispirited by their relentless losses, Charlie Brown and Shermy witness Snoopy engaging in an arm-wrestling match with the boys. Inspired, they devise a plan to reclaim some pride by organizing an arm-wrestling competition, with "The Masked Marvel" (Snoopy) representing the boys. Snoopy embarks on a rigorous training regimen, consuming the camp's unpalatable food, performing exercises, and drinking a vile yet nutritious concoction. When the match commences, Snoopy faces off against Lucy. The contest is intense, with both participants sweating and growing weary. The match culminates in Snoopy kissing Lucy, which allows him to pin her hand; however, Lucy declares the kiss a foul, claiming victory for herself.

As the new school year begins, Charlie Brown struggles to compose an essay assigned on the first day after he and Linus are caught playing hangman in class. While Linus earns an A, Charlie Brown receives a disappointing C−. Linus philosophically remarks, "Oh, well, it was a short summer, Charlie Brown," to which Charlie responds with resignation, "And it looks like it's going to be a long winter."

Cast

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Credits

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  • Created and Written by: Charles M. Schulz
  • Directed by: Bill Melendez
  • Produced by: Lee Mendelson, Bill Melendez
  • Graphic Blandishment: Ed Levitt, Bernard Gruver, Ellie Bonnard, Evert Brown, Don Lusk, Frank Smith, Bob Carlson, Spencer Peel, Ruth Kissane, Beverly Robbins, Rudy Zamora, Brad Case, Phil Roman, Alan Zaslove, Bill Littlejohn, Herman Cohen, Manuel Perez, Hank Smith, Jan Strejan, Sam Jaimes, Eleanor Warren, Faith Kovaleski, Manon Washburn, Gwenn Dotzler
  • Original Score Composed and Performed by: Vince Guaraldi
  • Arranged and Conducted by: John Scott Trotter
  • Editing: Bob Gillis, Chuck McCann, Steve Melendez
  • Recording:
    • Voices: Radio Recorders, Sid Nicholas
    • Music: United Recorders, Arte Becker
    • Mix: Producers' Sound Service, Don Minkler, Bill Mumford
  • Camera: Jim Dixon, Nick Vasu, Wally Bulloch
  • In Cooperation with United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

Production notes

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It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown was the first Peanuts special to not feature the majority of the original voice cast from the inaugural A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), who had begun to age out of their roles; Ann Altieri, Sally Dryer and Peter Robbins (in his last appearance voicing Charlie Brown) did return, as did Melendez, who once again not only directed but voiced Snoopy and Woodstock. Among the notable additions to the cast was Pamelyn Ferdin, Robbins's co-star on Blondie, replacing Sally Dryer as Lucy, who instead voiced minor roles.

Soundtrack

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Main article: It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown (soundtrack)

The soundtrack for It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown was composed by Vince Guaraldi (except where noted) and conducted and arranged by John Scott Trotter.[3] The score was performed by the Vince Guaraldi Decet on September 11–12, 1969, at Western Recorders, featuring Monty Budwig (double bass), Herb Ellis (guitar), Jack Sperling (drums), Victor Feldman (percussion), Frank Rosolino (trombone), Conte Candoli (trumpet), Pete Candoli (trumpet), Peter Christlieb (woodwind) and William Hood (woodwind).[4][5]

  1. "Charlie Brown Theme" (version 1, horn section) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
  2. "Linus and Lucy" (flute and trio version)
  3. "It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown" (opening theme version)
  4. "Oh, Good Grief" (version 1) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
  5. "You're in Love, Charlie Brown"
  6. "Schroeder"
  7. "Bus Blues" (John Scott Trotter)
  8. "Bus Blues" (reprise) (John Scott Trotter)
  9. "It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown" (version 2)
  10. "Frieda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)" (big band version)
  11. "Oh, Good Grief" (version 2) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
  12. "Come and Get It" (John Scott Trotter)
  13. "Mess Call" (aka "Hash") (John Scott Trotter)
  14. "Bon Voyage"
  15. "Peppermint Patty"
  16. "Nova Bossa" (John Scott Trotter)/"Love Will Come"/"Nova Bossa" (John Scott Trotter)
  17. "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag" (Felix Powell, George Asaf)
  18. "There's a Long Long Trail A-Winding" (Alonzo Elliot, Stoddard King)
  19. "Reveille" (Traditional, arr. John Scott Trotter)
  20. "He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown"
  21. "Pebble Beach"
  22. "You're in Love, Charlie Brown"
  23. "He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown" (reprise)
  24. "The Masked Marvel" (long version)
  25. "Air Music" (aka "Surfin' Snoopy")
  26. "The Masked Marvel" (shorter version)
  27. "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" (reprise)
  28. "The Masked Marvel" (shortest version)
  29. "Linus and Lucy" (arm wrestling version)
  30. "Oh, Good Grief" (version 3) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
  31. "Charlie Brown Theme" (version 2) (Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson)
  32. "It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown" (end credits version)

On July 5, 2024, a remastered album featuring the original recordings and several bonus tracks was released to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the special.[6]

Home media

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In 1985, Media Home Entertainment released the special on VHS and Betamax along with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown. It was re-released by its kids subdivision Hi-Tops Video in 1989. Paramount Home Media Distribution released the special along with You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown as part of the Snoopy Double Feature: Volume 3 compilation on August 17, 1994. On July 7, 2009, it was released on DVD for the first time, in remastered form as part of the DVD box set, Peanuts 1960s Collection. On October 6, 2015, the special was released in the remastered deluxe edition of He's a Bully, Charlie Brown along with an episode from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show as bonus specials. [citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Solomon, Charles (2012). The Art and Making of Peanuts Animation: Celebrating Fifty Years of Television Specials. Chronicle Books. pp. 90–93. ISBN 978-1452110912.
  2. ^ Woolery, George W. (1989). Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987. Scarecrow Press. pp. 209–210. ISBN 0-8108-2198-2. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts Song Library: It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  4. ^ Mendelson, Sean; Mendelson, Jason; Liner notes from CD version of It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown: Original Soundtrack Recording (2024)
  5. ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi Timeline: 1969". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  6. ^ Lucoff, Don. "Available for the First Time Ever Vince Guaraldi's Complete Soundtrack for the 1969 Animated Classic It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown Limited Release in Celebration of the Special's 55th Anniversary" (PDF). broadwayworld. DL Media. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
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