Jump to content

You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown
Created byCharles M. Schulz
Based onPeanuts
Written byCharles M. Schulz
Directed byBill Melendez
StarringChad Webber
Hilary Momberger
Stephen Shea
Robin Kohn
Todd Barbee
Linda Ercoli
Brian Kazajian
Lynda Mendelson
Bill Melendez
Theme music composerVince Guaraldi
Opening theme"You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" (vocal version)
Ending theme"You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" (Dixieland version)
ComposersVince Guaraldi
John Scott Trotter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersBill Melendez
Lee Mendelson
EditorsRobert T. Gillis
Charles McCann
Rudy Zamora, Jr.
Running time25 minutes
Production companiesLee Mendelson Film Productions
Bill Melendez Productions
United Feature Syndicate
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseOctober 29, 1972 (1972-10-29)
Related

You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown is the eighth prime-time animated TV special produced based upon the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, and the 10th one to air.[1] It originally aired on CBS on October 29, 1972, nine days before the 1972 United States presidential election between incumbent Richard Nixon and Senator George McGovern. It was the first new Peanuts special to air since the spring of 1971.[2]

You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown ranked No. 9 in the Nielsen TV ratings the week it aired.[3] It received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming, which is Entertainment/Fictional at the 25th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1973.[4]

Plot

[edit]

As student body elections approach at the local elementary school, Lucy van Pelt proposes that Charlie Brown should run for president, believing that a successful campaign might bolster his social standing and self-confidence. Linus initially agrees to act as Charlie Brown's campaign manager but quickly conducts an informal poll of classmates and discovers that Charlie Brown lacks the popularity necessary for electoral viability. Confronted with these unfavorable findings, Linus advises against moving forward with Charlie Brown's candidacy.

Instead, Linus himself becomes a candidate, with Lucy assuming the role of campaign manager. The campaign quickly gathers momentum, aided by persuasive slogans, visually engaging posters, and strategic peer outreach. Although initially disappointed, Charlie Brown supports the effort and assists in organizing campaign activities.

Concurrently, Snoopy appears in his Joe Cool persona, serving as the school hall monitor and engages in exaggerated enforcement of school rules.

As Election Day nears, Linus appears to have secured a broad base of student support. However, during a final campaign assembly, he abruptly diverges from his prepared remarks and begins speaking about the Great Pumpkin, a mythical figure central to his personal belief system. The reference confuses, amuses, and alienates many in the audience, resulting in a precipitous drop in student confidence.

Despite the last-minute controversy, Linus narrowly wins the election. His triumph is short-lived, however, as the school principal informs him that the role of student body president is strictly ceremonial, offering no actual authority or policy-making power. Linus is left disheartened by the revelation, and the narrative concludes with a tone of ironic resignation.

Voice cast

[edit]

This special marked the debut television appearance of Woodstock, whose feature film debut was in Snoopy Come Home, also released in 1972.

Patty, Frieda, Pig-Pen, 5, and Shermy also appear.

Production notes

[edit]

The plot from You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown was taken from a story that ran in the comic strip in October 1964, in which Linus runs for school president with Charlie Brown as his running mate. In the original storyline, Linus blows the election (and Charlie Brown's bid for Vice President) after bringing up The Great Pumpkin in his final speech and being laughed off stage–again after leading in the polls at the time. Unlike the television special, Linus' opponent is never seen or mentioned.[5] This special first aired under the title You're Elected, Charlie Brown. It was subsequently changed after Charles Schulz realized that Charlie Brown was neither elected nor does he run. This explains why there is a caret between the words "You're" and "Elected" on the chalkboard (there was no time to redo the entire cel).[citation needed]

The same storyline, albeit adhering more closely to the original strip, was adapted for the Peanuts Motion Comics episode "Linus for President."

Music score

[edit]
Main article: You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown (soundtrack)

The music for You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown was composed by Vince Guaraldi and conducted and arranged by John Scott Trotter. The score was performed by the Vince Guaraldi Sextet on August 22, 1972, at Wally Heider Studios, featuring Tom Harrell (trumpet), Pat O'Hara (trombone), Seward McCain (electric bass, flute), Mel Martin (woodwinds) and Glenn Cronkhite (drums).[6] You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown is notable for marking the debut of Snoopy's "Joe Cool" theme song, sung by Guaraldi.[7]

Starting in 2007, select music cues from You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown have been made available on several compilation albums:[7][8]

On September 6, 2024, a remastered album featuring original recordings and several bonus tracks was released to coincide with the 2024 United States presidential election.[11]

Home media

[edit]

The special was first released on home video on RCA's SelectaVision CED format in 1982 along with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown, and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It was released on VHS and Betamax by Media Home Entertainment in 1985, along with A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was released on VHS again in 1988, this time under their kids subdivision Hi-Tops Video. On August 17, 1994, it accompanied It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown on a Snoopy Double Feature release from Paramount Home Entertainment. In 1995, it was released on LaserDisc as a bonus feature with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It has been released on DVD three times, first as a "bonus feature" on the September 12, 2000 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown DVD[12] then on its own as part of Warner Home Video's "Remastered Deluxe Edition" line of Peanuts specials on October 7, 2008 and again as part of Peanuts: 1970’s Collection, Volume 1 on October 20, 2009.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Woolery, George W. (1989). Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987. Scarecrow Press. pp. 472–473. ISBN 0-8108-2198-2. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  2. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2013). Television Specials: 5,336 Entertainment Programs, 1936-2012 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 92. ISBN 9780786474448.
  3. ^ ""Peanuts Gang Continues to Rate High," by Rick Dubrow, UPI, Nov. 10, 1972".
  4. ^ "Outstanding Children's Program Nominees / Winners 1973".
  5. ^ Schulz, Charles M. (2008). The Complete Peanuts 1963-1964. Seattle: Fantagraphics Books.
  6. ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi Timeline". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts Song Library: You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Bang, Derrick. "Vince Guaraldi on LP and CD". fivecentsplease.org. Derrick Bang, Scott McGuire. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown TV Specials at AllMusic. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  10. ^ Vince Guaraldi and the Lost Cues from the Charlie Brown TV Specials, Volume 2 at AllMusic. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  11. ^ Mendelson, Lee. "Vince Guaraldi's "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown" Soundtrack Album". Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc. Lee Mendelson Film Productions. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  12. ^ "Charlie Brown/Peanuts Specials - It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (& You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown)". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  13. ^ Lambert, David (August 25, 2008). "Charlie Brown/Peanuts Specials - Warner's Official Press Release for You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown: Remastered Deluxe Edition". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You%27re_Not_Elected,_Charlie_Brown&oldid=1294146597"