She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown

Peppermint Patty is in training for a figure skating competition with Snoopy as her coach. There are a number of obstacles along the way, including a group of hockey bullies and Marcie's poor dressmaking skills. But Patty forges on with help from her coach and a certain little bird. This is a rather different Peanuts special as the focus is entirely on supporting character (but fan favorite) Peppermint Patty. She, Marcie, and Snoopy are the only characters with a lot of screen time. The rest of the gang shows up at the skating competition and get a line or two each. Woodstock is also present in the background throughout and gets one of his best moments from any of the TV specials at the end. The skating sequences are really well done with authentic movements, accomplished with rotoscoping. Charles Schulz's own daughter did some of the skating. It's not a very humorous cartoon but it does have heart and a pleasant tone. Not one of the greats but nice.

Peppermint Patty is training for a figure skating competition. She gets Snoopy to be her growling coach. Marcie tries to sew her costume but Snoopy has to do it right. The Peanuts gang gathers to watch Peppermint Patty compete. However the music tape tangles up Snoopy and Woodstock saves the day by whistling the song.

The Charlie Brown wig is hilarious and says so much about Snoopy. Woodstock whistling is a nice moment. Otherwise, there isn't much in this Peanuts special. Most of the main characters get only minor roles. It feels a little light because of that. A Peanuts special should always try to have the whole gang participate. At least it should keep Charlie Brown front and center.

'She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown' is a Peanuts special that instead of focusing on Charlie Brown, moves the spotlight to Peppermint Patty. And it does an amazing job with focusing just on primarily one character.

I know call this a "spinoff", but it is a Peanuts special that just focuses on Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Snoopy (with small cameos from Charlie Brown). It takes a risk with Peppermint Patty pursuing a ice skating competition and it nails the finish. The animation is cute and fun. The music is relaxing and inviting. The dialogue is okay, but you appreciate Peppermint Patty and Marcie so much it doesn't matter.

I know I'm biased towards nostalgia with ice skating, but this special is pretty good. Its so much better than you would think given it was released during the "forgotten years" of the Peanuts animated specials.

Give it a watch. I promise you won't be dissapointed!