"Play It Again, Charlie Brown" is a 24-minute cartoon from 1971, so this one is already almost half a century old and depending on when you read this review actually, it may have happened already. The names Melendez and Schulz make obvious that here we got another Peanuts cartoon of course, but this one is definitely not among their most known by any means. The reason may be that Schroeder is the center of focus here, together with his (very one-sided) sweetheart and that honestly the music component, as much as it may be in the center of it all here, is far from level of quality you'd want it to be. Charlie, his dog and the other more interesting (at least to me) characters here really do not get the screen time they deserve in my opinion, which is quite a pity to be honest and I would agree that the film's popularity, or lack thereof, matches the film's quality, even if it managed to get the Emmy nomination like so many other Peanuts works. Very unimpressive from start to finish and a failed attempt at making a Peanuts cartoon mostly focusing on music. There was potential for much more and this is among the very weakest from the series and I have seen them all at least one. Not recommended, unless you really are a huge fan of the gang.

Seventh animated special based on the Charles M. Schulz cartoon strips is also the first aired during the 1970's, and is about Lucy's infatuation with Schroder, but he only loves Beethoven, until Lucy decides to enroll him in the PTA music show, but only if he'll play modern music, something he refuses to do, despite Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Pig Pen already seeming quite capable of going on without him... Strange special is one of the weakest, with a flimsy plot and inconsistent characterizations(since when can poor talentless Charlie play an instrument? Did he take lessons?) Goofy comedy with spray can music and PTA members is cringe-worthy. Entirely forgettable.

Here's an oldie but a goodie...a seldom seen Peanuts special dating from the early 70's that is definitely a product of that time period...but still manages to be a funky little piece of animation even in these modern times. In this special we see Lucy, forever in love with piano-virtuoso Schroeder, try to win his love by arranging for him to play before an assembled audience thus giving him his "big break". The one catch: he has to play rock music....a big no-no to the classically trained musician. He decides to go ahead and perform with a backing band provided by Charlie Brown on guitar, Snoopy on bass, and Pigpen on the drums...all quite skilled players themselves, but at the last minute Schroeder decides to remain true to his art and principals and backs out of the show rather than selling out. A entertaining little gem that keeps the viewers laughing with funny back and fourth banter (mostly between Lucy and Schroeder), funny spoofs on products that were available at the time (remember when everything became available in a can?), and some snappy music both in classical piano form, and hip 70's rock and roll. And yes...Snoopy is there to put his two cents in. Great fun to take you back a few years...younger kids may be lost (or they may love it) but adults will get a kick out of it.

Lucy thinks she's found a way for Schroeder to like her when she gets him a gig at the PTA show at the school but Peppermint Patty tells her something that she knows Schroeder wouldn't be crazy about. I'll stop there and just say that this was another "Peanuts" special that I highly enjoyed watching a few years ago having been one of the few I didn't catch as a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s. It happened to be during a few months after director Bill Melendez died and when I originally submitted this, it was dedicated to him. He knew so well how to put Charles Schulz' vision in animated form with great help from Vince Guaraldi's music score. I won't mention any more except just seek out Play It Again, Charlie Brown on YouTube or anywhere if you're in the mood...