Snoopy's Reunion

Snoopy's Reunion
Genre Animated TV Special
Created by Charles M. Schulz
Written by Charles M. Schulz
Directed by Sam Jaimes
Voices of Phil Sanfran (Charlie Brown)
Josh Keaton (Linus van Pelt)
Kaitlyn Walker (Sally Brown)
Bill Melendez (Snoopy and his siblings)
Megan Parlen (Lila)
Laurel Page (Lila's mom)
Steven Slofiar (Mr. Allcroft and Bus driver)
Composer(s)

Judy Munsen

Production
Executive producer(s) Lee Mendelson
Producer(s) Bill Meléndez
Editor(s) Rick Hinson
Camera setup Nick Vasu
Running time 22 minutes
Distributor Warner Bros. Television
Release
Original network CBS
Original release May 1, 1991
Chronology
Preceded by Why, Charlie Brown, Why?
Followed by It's Spring Training, Charlie Brown
From left to right: Andy, Marbles, Spike, Snoopy, Olaf, Molly, Rover and Belle. Five of the siblings appeared at some point in the Peanuts comic strip; Molly and Rover were created for this special.

Snoopy's Reunion is the 34th prime-time animated TV special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It originally aired on the CBS network on May 1, 1991 as part of the animated anthology series Toon Nite. It is the only Peanuts TV special to date (and the only animation other than Snoopy, Come Home) not to have "Charlie Brown" in the title (though the working title was Those Were the Days, Charlie Brown), it is also one of the few Peanuts specials to feature adults on-screen.

Summary

The story begins with a cold opening at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, set at the time of Snoopy's puppyhood. While still puppies, he and his siblings quickly become adept musicians; each one learns to play an instrument. They quickly mature, and in a few months, they are all put up for sale. Missy (Snoopy and his siblings's mother) cries as soon as she looks at the sign. Then her puppies come up to her, and they all cry too (as they will miss their mother when they are sold and Missy will miss them too). Then they sadly and tearfully read the sign; which says "PUPPIES FOR SALE". The title credits appear next. After that, the scene changes to Charlie Brown's house. He, apparently depressed from a recent defeat, arrives home with his sister Sally to an empty, unwelcoming house. He tells her he needs to have someone to welcome him home after a defeat, like a dog.

Back at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, Snoopy and his siblings are all playing music together, with Snoopy on guitar, Spike on first violin, Belle on second violin, Marbles on banjo, Olaf on jug, Molly on mandolin, Rover on steel guitar and Andy on drums. Snoopy is sold to Lila, his first owner. As he is removed from his family, his guitar is removed from the music. His siblings are then sold, one by one. As they are removed, the music continues to decompose until the last one, Olaf, is sold. Lila and Snoopy have fun together for a brief time in Lila's house. Then suddenly, when Lila and her family have moved to an apartment building, they are told by the landlord that no dogs are allowed in the building. Lila sadly returns Snoopy to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm and tearfully says goodbye. The owner of the puppy farm, who previously has crossed off all the puppies' names, reinstates Snoopy's name on the list.

Charlie Brown firmly decides it's time for him to get a dog. He and Linus head to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. He haggles with the owner and convinces him to sell Snoopy for only $5 (as he has 5 dollars). The owner of the puppy farm warns Charlie Brown that the dog Snoopy could cost more than that, but finds out that since Charlie Brown is the right person, Snoopy can go for $5 ("I guess that I can let him go for $5".). Charlie Brown asks if he can see the puppy. The owner says that the puppy Snoopy is in the shed next to the house. Then Charlie Brown gets Snoopy.

Linus notices that Snoopy was returned from a previous owner, and tells Charlie Brown that he has a "used dog". He doesn't mind this, and Snoopy appears to appreciate his new owner and home. Charlie Brown tries to train him, and soon realizes that he is an unusual dog. A montage showcases some of his abilities, such as playing baseball, sledding, surfing, and tennis.

After about four years have passed, Charlie Brown notices that Snoopy appears melancholy. He discusses this with Sally, and she suggests that perhaps he misses his family. Charlie Brown agrees, and suggests to Snoopy that they organize a family reunion, and maybe even visit the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm; he eagerly agrees. Invitations are sent to Belle, Spike, Olaf, Marbles, Molly, Rover, and Andy. A montage shows their reactions; the response is unanimously positive. Each one excitedly heads to the reunion, carrying their respective instruments.

They all arrive at Charlie Brown's house. He, Sally, Snoopy, and Snoopy's siblings get on a bus to visit the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm for their reunion. They ask the bus driver to let them know when they reach it. Eventually, they arrive at the Daisy Hill bus stop. But instead of the puppy farm, all they see is a parking garage (a parking garage, a small pile of dirt, and no puppy farm). Charlie Brown says he doesn't recognize anything and it can't be right. He walks over to the bus driver and asks him if it is the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. Confused, the bus driver insists that it is the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. Undaunted, Snoopy and his siblings exit the bus and play a song on the sidewalk in front of the garage. Charlie Brown explores the area and discovers an old "Puppy For Sale" sign half buried in the dirt pile. Charlie Brown then says it is the correct location (Daisy Hill Puppy Farm). He says that the sign is what is left after it got demolished for a parking garage. He says to Snoopy and his siblings that this place was where their old home was and that there is no more Daisy Hill Puppy Farm. There is no more Daisy Hill Puppy Farm; it has been replaced by a five story parking garage. Then he drops the sign back in the dirt pile. Charlie Brown turns to Sally and asks her if she realizes what happened; then he turns to Snoopy and his siblings and says that it's parking on their memories. Then Sally responds, "You know big brother? What's his name is right. You can't go home again". Despite this, Snoopy and his siblings seem happy to be together again, and continue to play more music.

Everyone then returns to Charlie Brown's house, and Charlie Brown is now with Linus. Charlie Brown declares that it was a reunion even if it wasn't the best. He then wonders how Snoopy's siblings are going to get home. Snoopy responds by getting into his World War I flying ace costume, and ushers them up on top of his doghouse (i.e. Sopwith Camel). The camera cuts back to Charlie Brown, with several off-screen sound effects insinuating that Snoopy is flying his 'plane'. When the camera cuts back to it, all his siblings have gone back home, and Snoopy is standing on the ground next to it, picking his teeth. Charlie Brown is shocked and wonders aloud how he could do that, to which Linus replies, "Well, he's your dog, Charlie Brown".

Contradictions with the Peanuts comic strip

Charles Schulz did not consider material from the television specials and films to be canonical with the Peanuts comic strip.[1] This results in the following continuity errors:

  • In the comic strip, Snoopy existed as Charlie Brown's dog long before Sally and Linus were born. In this special, Charlie Brown doesn't acquire him until long after they were born.
  • In the comic strip, Charlie Brown and Snoopy knew each other way before Charlie Brown adopted Snoopy. In this special, Charlie Brown sees Snoopy for the first time.
  • In the comic strip, Snoopy acts as an ordinary dog prior to his adoption by Charlie Brown. In this special, he is already well talented when Charlie Brown adopts him.
  • Originally in the strip and later in the 1972 movie Snoopy, Come Home and the 1980 special Life Is a Circus, Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown tells Linus about how a kid dumped sand on him and made him cry, and the next day he and his parents went to the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm to get Snoopy. In this special, they both go to get him.
  • In the strip and Snoopy, Come Home, Linus calls the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm to find out about Snoopy's history when he goes to see Lila in the hospital, and finds out that he was a "used dog". In this special, when Charlie Brown and Linus go to pick him up, Linus finds out about his history in a ledger sitting on a desk.

Voice cast

References

  1. ↑ "Peanuts FAQ".
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