Basically chronicling a single hectic and eventful day in the life of the eternally hapless, yet persistent and endearing Charlie Brown and his friends, this musical TV special by Clark Gesner does an exceptionally fine job of astutely capturing the warmth, humor, and intelligence of Charles M. Schulz's classic comic strip. The loosely strung together series of funny and colorful vignettes cover all the essential bases: Charlie Brown tries to fly a kite without much success, doesn't get any cards on Valentine's Day, loses a big baseball game, and pines for the little redhead girl from afar. Meanwhile, the smitten Lucy hits on the disinterested Schroeder and everyone struggles with writing a book report and rehearses a song for a school play. Of course, the ever-lovable Snoopy provides a sizable share of the laughs contained herein, with his absurdly grand number about supper time rating as a definite gut-busting highlight. Moreover, the songs are delightfully catchy, lively, and joyous (the titular tune in particular is simply fantastic and the infectiously merry "Happiness" concludes everything on a beautifully sweet and positive note). The cast of mostly child actors acquit themselves well with their roles, with token adult Robert Towers a real stand-out as the sublimely hearty and melodious singing voice for Snoopy. It's the novel and inspired musical angle which gives this cartoon a certain freshness and vitality that in turn makes it a total treat to watch. A top-rate show.

Peanuts is without a doubt, one of the greatest comic strips ever created. And the TV specials that were spawned from the strip are equally enjoyable to this day. But among the over forty specials created, there is one glaring special that should not have been made. The special, in question, is 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.' This special originated from an off-Broadway play. Yes, a musical. And it shows throughout the special. Charles Schulz did not create this one. Even if audiences didn't know off the bat that Schulz had not written this piece, it would become quickly evident that he hadn't. This special was originally created by a man named Clark Gesner, in the 1960's. According to the bonus feature included in the DVD, "Animating A Charlie Brown Musical", it wasn't even until roughly twenty years later this the play was made into this TV special.The bonus featurette is about the only major positive to this DVD, sadly. While there are some funny jokes here and there throughout the different segments--this was not one continuous movie. It was just a bundle of separate skits--the fact that Gesner tried to literally adapt the comic strip to the stage, and then to the small screen, made this one of the lesser enjoyable Peanuts pieces.The only thing that made the bonus feature worthwhile was that producer, Lee Mendelson did try to defend the strip. As a result, he gave audiences a little known fact in that Black Eyed Peas member, Fergie, (a.k.a Stacy Ferguson) was a member of the Peanuts gang in the 1984 special, 'It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.' The reference was made in Mendelson's attempt to defend 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.' The bonus featurette included in this DVD made the DVD worth buying for true Peanuts fans and collectors. But unlike so many of the Peanuts specials that have been released in recent years, this is one of the few that lacks any bonus special(s). So all audiences really get with this new DVD is the one special, with no bells or whistles. Just Clark Gesner's off-Broadway play animated for television. So even if audiences are avid fans and collectors, this is a special that will sadly likely find itself spending more time on a DVD rack than in a DVD player.

If you have ever seen the stage musical, then you will love this special. Even if you haven't seen it, then you should like this. The songs "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" and "Happiness" are my personal favorites. The basic plot: a typical day in the life of Charlie Brown.

Out of all the Peanuts specials that are not Holiday specials, this is my personal favourite. Christmas, Great Pumpkin, and Easter Beagle will always be best, but besides those few, this is my favourite. The only one that rivals it is A Charlie Brown celebration, and that is only for it's sheer insanity. First off, the songs all absolutely rule. The kite flying song and the theme song are both among the greatest songs ever written for TV. But the greatest song from all Peanuts specials, is and will always be Happiness. Every time I hear it, I'm singing it for days. As far as story goes, there really isn't one. It's just really an animated version of highlights from the play. But, my what highlights they are. The baseball scene is one of the best ever. I finally taped the show when it aired on Nick-at-Nite recently, and now I can watch it whenever I want. Just two complaints- the classic theme song is not featured at all, and Snoopy talks (in a rather effeminate voice). But besides that, a classic from start to finish. This started out as a Broadway play. Sadly, I can only imagine Gary Burghoff as Charlie Brown.