Sure to please environmentalists, this very short film has Charlie Brown tackling the burgeoning 1970s problem of pollution. Produced in 1979 for the American Lung Association (ALA), Charlie gets on his soapbox here in a way seldom seen in the Peanuts universe. And that's a good thing!
The film opens with Snoopy being upset about his doghouse getting covered with ash from a neighbor's leaf burning, and in short order we learn the carbon emissions from Snoopy's motorcycle aren't so good for the air, either. Later the gang has a baseball game, and they lose yet again, only this time, its directly attributable to both land and air pollution! (I won't say how here.)
Charlie's frustration leads to his presenting a report on pollution at school with the help of a facts sheet from the ALA. As this is a PSA geared towards school children, Charlie keeps the message simple. But he does manage to cover vehicle emissions, smog, common litter, even pollution from factories. That's a bit odd as there's not a lot a school kid can do about factories. He tells the kids to "report pollution offenses" but doesn't tell them how to go about doing this. Lol ok thanks Charlie.
Charles Schulz created a few of these PSAs in the late 70s and early 80s; two for the American Dental Association and this one. All were intended for school-age children and it was hoped the popularity of Peanuts would help deliver the message. I don't recall seeing these back then, but it's interesting to know these were done. Charlie ends his monologue by encouraging the use of mass transit! Not bad for 1979. See it on Youtube.
8/10. Very obscure Peanuts gem but also very prescient. Charlie Brown going green is something I can get behind!
