You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown is the 18th prime-timeanimatedTV special based upon the comic stripPeanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. It was originally aired on the CBS network on March 19, 1979, making it the last Peanuts TV special of the 1970s. It has been released to DVD by Warner Home Video as a bonus feature to You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown. It appeared in remastered form in the Peanuts 1970s Collection Vol. 2.
Synopsis
decides to enter the Junior Olympics at his school after it is revealed he and his family are not going on vacation after all. The decathlon is the only thing left open, and Charlie Brown accepts the challenge. Peppermint Patty, who is the school's coordinator for the Junior Olympics, oversees Charlie Brown's rigorous training for the event. Marcie also watches, and Snoopy works out with him. During a review of the ten events, Patty worries about whether or not he could win and decides to enter Marcie to back him up. On day one, Charlie Brown is introduced to his competitors: Marcie, Freddie Fabulous from Fremont, and Snoopy's alter ego from Ace Obedience School, The Masked Marvel. He places well in the first five events, enough to place him in third after the day is over. Lucy states she is annoyed that Charlie Brown cannot be a total blockhead by his third-place ranking, as the Masked Marvel came in dead last. Day two starts off bad for Charlie Brown. First, he feels nervous due to the increased pressure, then he performs badly in the 110m high hurdles. However, after a tough talk from Peppermint Patty, a great showing in the pole vault and first-place finishes in the discus and javelin throw catapult him into first place. Now it's all on the 1500m run to finish it all off and be the school's hero. When Charlie Brown gains the lead over Freddie Fabulous, Lucy is aghast that the world must be ending as Charlie Brown is coming in first. Unfortunately, after taking the lead, Charlie Brown closes his eyes and daydreams of his victory and winds up running off the track, off the school grounds...and out of contention. Peppermint Patty sees this and cries, "Good grief! He ran off the track! He lost the race!" It is learned afterward that their school still won the Junior Olympics, due to Marcie winning the 1500m and the disqualifications of Freddie Fabulous and The Masked Marvel. Peppermint Patty consoles Charlie Brown, telling him that everybody knows he did his best. Marcie arrives and Charlie Brown congratulates her on the win. Marcie, in turn, replies, "You're a great competitor and a real gentleman. I think you're the greatest, Charles." Uncharacteristically, she then lifts her glasses and winks at Charlie Brown, who blushes.
