You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown

Plot synopsis:
Charlie Brown decides to enter the Junior Olympics at his school after it is revealed he is not going on vacation after all. The decathlon is the only thing left open, and Charlie Brown accepts the challenge (of course after everyone else there refused to take on such a tough event before Charlie Brown showed up).
Peppermint Patty, who is the school's coordinator for the Junior Olympics, oversees Charlie's rigorous training for the event. Marcie also watches (and gives encouragement) and Snoopy works out with him (showing how in-shape he is and how out of shape Charlie is in the process). During a review of the ten events, Patty worries of whether or not he could win, and decides to enter Marcie to back him up.
On day one, Charlie is introduced to his competitors; Marcie, Freddie Fabulous from Fremont (defending Decathlon champ and smug egotist who calls Charlie Brown "Pumpkin head"), and The Masked Marvel (who is Snoopy from Ace Obedience School). He places well in the first five events, enough to place him in third after the day is over. Lucy states she is annoyed that Charlie Brown cannot be a total blockhead by his third-place ranking, as the Masked Marvel came in dead last (even after winning the final event of the first day, the 400m dash).
Day two starts off bad for Charlie. First he feels nervous due to the increased pressure, then he performs badly in the 110m high hurdles (knocking down all but one hurdle and finishing last by a mile). However, after a tough talk from Peppermint Patty, a great showing in the pole vault and first-place finishes in the discus and javelin throw catapults him into first place. Now it's all on the 1500m run to finish it all off and be the school's hero. When Charlie Brown gains the lead over Freddie Fabulous, Lucy is aghast that the world must be ending as Charlie Brown is coming in first. Unfortunately after taking the lead, Charlie Brown closes his eyes and dreams of his victory and winds up running off the track, off the school grounds...and out of contention.
It is learned afterward that their school still wins the Junior Olympics, due to Marcie winning the 1500m (and thus the decathlon) and the disqualifications of Freddie Fabulous and The Masked Marvel (for fighting on the track). Peppermint Patty consoles Charlie Brown, telling him that everybody knows he did his best. Marcie arrives and Charlie Brown congratulates her on the win. Marcie, in turn, replies, "You're a great competitor and a real gentleman. I think you're the greatest, Charles." Uncharacteristically, she then lifts her glasses and winks at Charlie Brown, who blushes.

Tags: psychedelic

Review:
Rooting for Charlie Brown!. We had a little brown-bag luncheon at work and an employee decided to play this cartoon short for some fun and laughs. Even though there were just six to seven of us adults in the room, it appeared that we all enjoyed the cartoon (I could hear a lot of chuckles) for its innocence, family-friendly theme and message.Here, Charlie Brown signs up for the decathlon at the School Olympics. After much challenges in his training, Charlie faces arrogant Fred the Fabulous, Snoopy as the "Masked Marvel" and friend Marcie in the competition.It's not an entirely riveting story with unending adventures and suspense, but it is an innocent and charming cartoon that includes some sports scenes that will have you cheering for Charlie Brown and for some laughable moments from the entire Peanuts gang. The voice acting was good and the animation, while may not be as hi-tech or advanced by today's standards, was simple but refreshing.It is a nice little movie for everyone to enjoy and reminds us that winning is not much as being first place as working hard and having good sportsmanship.Grade B. A typically funny and enjoyable Peanuts TV special. Peppermint Patty persuades Charlie Brown to participate in the school decathlon. Charlie undergoes a grueling exercise regimen in order get into shape for the big event. He competes against Snoopy as the Masked Marvel and mean, cocky and fearsome jerk Fred Fabulous from a rival school. Meanwhile, Marcie cheers Charlie on and serves as his back up. Once again beloved Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz delivers a bright and witty story with a pleasing blend of true warmth and good humor complete with a right-on central message about how it's more important to do your best and be a good sport than it is to win. The decathlon itself is a delightful set piece: Fred Fabulous makes for a deliciously hateful foil, Snoopy shows off some fancy moves, and Charlie Brown has you completely rooting for him as he pours his heart and soul into each demanding round of the game. Among the nifty highlights are Snoopy wiping out on the pole vault and Marcie giving Charlie Brown a sweet wink at the end of the show. The bouncy score by Ed Bogas and Judy Munsen neatly alternates between the folksy and the funky. The animation might be pretty rough around the edges by today's more sophisticated standards, but it does the trick just the same. Charlie Brown's undying optimistic spirit and fierce determination are an absolute joy to behold. A solid and satisfying little hoot.. The Peanuts Gang. When it comes to Charlie Brown and the Peanuts shorts it's hard not to enjoy them.There is always something special when it comes to these short films of the Peanuts gang.This one is quite different as it centers around Charlie Brown accepting the challenge to compete in the Junior Olympus when the decathlon was the only thing left Charlie Brown agree to train for it.The characters that were feature in this one were Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty and Marcie with new comer Freddy is a bully from the start of the games.Being that this is a short film it is still clever how they manage to do a whole story in under 30 minutes for a cartoon like Charlie Brown. The animation is pretty good and you shouldn't expect nothing less from these shorts as they normally had good smooth animation and simple but good back ground.The voice acting does take some time to get use depending on what voices you grew up with in terms of Charlie Brown and Peanut characters you grew upSpecials always have their share of humor and sharing a message and these one does it well and I recently watch it again for the fan that I grew up with Charlie Brown Snoopy and the Peanut gang.To better enjoy this you have to be a fan and it's a good film for the familyI give You're The Greatest Charlie Brown an 8 out of 10