Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown" is an American 25-minute cartoon and the title gives away that here we got another Peanuts episode circled around Charlie and the gang. This one's from 1975, so already over 40 years old and it won an Emmy back then. The fact that Phil Roman directed here made me especially curious as I am really a big Garfield fan, his trademark series, and he didn't let me down with this one either. Script and story are as always by Charles M. Schulz. This one's all about sports, motocross for the most part, but the first five minutes belong to Snoopy playing tennis and due to my personal liking in the sport and in the character, this was the highlight for me without a doubt. Would have made a good 5-minute short too. Anyway, of course Chuck wants to kick the football again, more than ever this time given the film's subject. The rest is typical Peanuts humor. If you like their other stuff, you will enjoy this one too like the scenes with the interrupting reporter or the barber part at the very end or the pumpkin helmet. There is always some kind of sobering, maybe even slightly depressing, comedy to these Peanuts shorts. Grown-ups and their voices don't play a big part in here. It's probably not among the most known from the series, but it is among my top5 favorites perhaps, but then again I am far from a big Peanuts fan. No shot at number 1 though. All in all, I give it a thumbs-up and positive recommendation. See it.
Fuzzy Wuzzy
When it comes to being an all-round sport - This sweet, animated short (25 minutes) from 1975, has our young, pumpkin-headed protagonist, Charlie Brown, going in for such all-American, pastime activities as tennis, baseball, football, and, yes, even dirt-biking.Of course, being good, ol' Charlie Brown (the ultimate blockhead) failure just seems to be his destiny in any sports arena. But whatever he tackles, you can always be sure that Charlie Brown can be counted on to plunge into any given activity with the winning spirit of a real loser.This particular short was an Emmy Award winner. Its creator, Charles M. Shulz, is considered to be one of the most influential cartoonist of all time.Sad to say - On Feb. 12. 2000, Charles M. Shulz, 77 at the time, died of cancer.
Shawn Watson
Bored with football and at the end of his tether with Lucy for always pulling the ball away at the last second during place kicks (he just never learns) Chuck tries his luck at Motocross after Peppermint Patty turns up riding a new motorcycle. There's a big race coming up but the only bike poor old Chuck can afford is a shambling wreck (much like he could only afford a pathetic excuse of a Christmas tree).The race, of course, is a disaster. But luckily Chuck has the least bad luck of all the contestants and manages to limp across the finish line in first place. However the promised prize of tickets to the Pro Bowl is not available and instead Chuck is awarded vouchers for free haircuts (Charlie Brown's dad is a barber).Even when Chuck has some good luck it turns out bad. Though it's nice to see him win for once.
Benjamin Wolfe
I remember this story of Good Ole' Chuck the moto-cross racer. Man it's been years since I have seen this and it was only once unfortunately. This is a 1975 classic Charlie Brown episode and I would love to find this on D.V.D. now for my 2 children. A story not just about competing, but being a good sport as well. This like just about all the other 'PEANUTS' videos are great. My personal favorites, range in time from 1965 to 1986 Those are some of the old style animation before they had computer for everything. The old animation style is warmer and more friendly, much more authentic to me. So if you are reading this and you have kids, you can't go wrong, pick up a copy of one of your favorite 'Peanuts' episodes today!!
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