Peanuts has had a long, fruitful run on comics, TV, and in film. But we’ve seen them less in recent years. This is especially true after the death of Charles Schulz, who passed away 25 years ago. Every Peanuts fan holds their blue security blanket tightly, hoping that this new thing will bring back the magic. Peanuts Presents A Summer Musicalarriving on Apple TV+ in a month could be the moment. This is because the trailer takes Peanuts to places it has never been before. The trailer for Peanuts Presents A Summer Musical which will be available on one of the top streaming services on August 15th, is a familiar Peanuts story. Charlie Brown, Lucy and Linus are back at Summer Camp and it is in danger of closing down. Peppermint Patty and Snoopy have to band together to save the camp. It’s the first musical for Peanuts in almost 40 years. This is a twist that most people don’t expect. Apple TV+ – YouTube
Wild Brain’s animation of the movie is very similar to Schulz original pen-and ink style, and some of Peanuts classic TV specials. However, there are some notable exceptions. The characters are more dimensional and dynamic thanks to shading. It’s not CGI-level, like the rather poorly received 2015’s It’s still visible.The Peanuts Movie (19659009) (it was good; you just have to take a chance). It’s the same look that Apple TV+ introduced with its “Snoopy Presents” Series. Craig, Schulz’s executive producer and son, told me
“It was to be a bridge between The Peanuts Movie full CGI, and the simple 2D style of The Snoopy Show series. We created this hybrid that we referred to as “enhanced 2D” – it was created by lighting effects and digital enhancements,” via email.
But 44 seconds into the trailer, I was shocked by a decision so shocking that I almost gasped: the trailer showed the Peanuts characters in 1950 as they appeared on screen.
It turns out they used that style before in an Apple TV+ Peanuts Special I missed.
“The 1950’s style kids had not been used until we did the Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie [2023] special and introduced Carlin and some other kindergartners. This was the first time my father’s original 1950’s style cast has been put to animation. It was my son Bryan’s idea, and one of my favorite moments in the film,” Craig Schulz told me via email.
I was still so moved by the images, and honestly, so taken aback, that I barely listened to the rest. I had to look back to see how the Peanuts children appear to come together in song and action.
Just a little side note. When I spoke with Lee Mendelson, TV producer in 2015 told me about how they developed the adult “voices,” :
We chose not to show it. Vince Guaraldi was our music director. I asked him, “Would there possibly be an instrument that could sound like what an adult would sound like to a child?”
Guaraldi instinctively drafted a trombone.
Everyone, including Peanuts creator Schulz who said, ” “That’s great.”
Maybe this new musical special will be great.” loved the instrument’s sound. I have high expectations, especially after watching the trailer.
Apple TV Plus is the new HBO but its golden age was the era of Apple TV Plus.
A 38 year industry veteranLance covered technology when PCs were the size and shape of suitcases, and “on line” was “waiting”. He is a former Lifewire editor-in chief, Mashable editor-in-chief, and, prior to that, Editor-in Chief of PCMag.com, and Senior Vice President for Content at Ziff Davis, Inc. He also wrote The Upgrade, a popular weekly tech column on Medium.
Lance Ulanoff (19459103) makes frequent appearances on local, national, and international news programs, including Good Morning America, Good Morning America the Today Showand Live with Kelly and Mark.
