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It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown

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It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown
GenreAnimated television special
Created byCharles M. Schulz
Based onPied Piper of Hamelin
Written byCharles M. Schulz
Directed byBill Melendez
Theme music composerDavid Benoit
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersLee Mendelson
Bill Melendez
Mike Wallis
Running time25:16
Production companiesUnited Media
A Lee Mendelson-Bill Melendez Production
Original release
ReleaseSeptember 12, 2000 (2000-09-12)
Related

It's the Pied Piper, Charlie Brown is the 39th and last animated special produced under the supervision of Charles M. Schulz. Based on characters from the comic strip Peanuts, it was originally released exclusively in VHS and DVD formats on September 12, 2000, seven months after Schulz's death.[1]

Plot

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Charlie Brown recounts the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin to his sister Sally. She dismisses an alternate option, War and Peace, due to its heavier weight.

In this retelling, the town suffers from a mouse infestation, as Sally insists on substituting mice for rats, which she dislikes. The mice, engaging in activities such as sports and dancing, disrupt the lives of the townspeople. To address the issue, the mayor contracts the "Pied Piper Beagle," portrayed by Snoopy, promising him a year's supply of dog food as compensation. Snoopy, using his concertina, successfully leads the mice out of the town.

When the mayor reneges on the payment despite a signed contract, Snoopy retaliates by luring the mayor and his officials away with his music.

Charlie Brown concludes the tale. Sally expresses skepticism about the story's plausibility in real life. Outside, Snoopy begins playing music from his doghouse. Linus, Lucy, Franklin, and Peppermint Patty join in, dancing to the rhythm. Lucy, frustrated, orders Charlie Brown to intervene and stop Snoopy.

Cast

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Violet, Peppermint Patty, Schroeder, Pig-Pen, Marcie, and Franklin also appear but have no lines.

References

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  1. ^ Solomon, Charles (2012). The Art and Making of Peanuts Animation: Celebrating Fifty Years of Television Specials. Chronicle Books. pp. 41, 175. ISBN 978-1452110912.
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