This is a list of Peanuts spoken-word and music records issued by Disney labels from 1977 to 1984. The releases appeared under the Charlie Brown Records name and related Disneyland, Vista, and Buena Vista label wordings. They adapted animated Peanuts television specials—and, in the case of Snoopy Come Home, a theatrical feature film—into 12-inch story albums, 7-inch read-along book-and-record sets, and cassette editions.
The series included five 12-inch story-album adaptations and eleven 7-inch read-along titles. The 12-inch book-and-record editions were issued in illustrated gatefold sleeves, with the story book integrated into the package. The shorter editions were separately adapted for audio rather than simply edited down from the longer records.
Several releases received Grammy Award nominations in the children's-recording category, including A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown's All-Stars, You're in Love, Charlie Brown, and Flashbeagle.
Background The records were produced as audio adaptations of television productions originally made by Lee Mendelson Film Productions. They generally combined music and dialogue from the specials with newly recorded narration, replacement dialogue, and explanatory material intended to make visual scenes understandable in an audio-only format. The 12-inch book-and-record editions were packaged in gatefold sleeves containing illustrated story material, while LP-only editions omitted the integrated book component.
The LP and read-along versions could differ in both length and content. The 12-inch adaptation of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown ran approximately 19 minutes, while the 7-inch edition ran approximately 11 minutes. The 7-inch adaptation of He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown omitted the special's complete ending sequence.
Four specials were also promoted as the Charlie Brown Storyteller books-and-tapes line. Note - Back-label advertisement lists the Charlie Brown Storyteller books-and-tapes titles
Releases
Title First issue Based on Formats and catalog numbers Credits Notes A Charlie Brown Christmas 1977 A Charlie Brown Christmas 12-inch gatefold book-and-record: 37017-inch book-and-record: 401 Produced by Jymn Magon and Lee Mendelson; written by Charles M. Schulz and Jymn Magon; music by Vince Guaraldi. Separate spoken-word adaptation incorporating Guaraldi music; distinct from the 1965 Fantasy Records soundtrack album. Charlie Brown's All-Stars 1978 Charlie Brown's All Stars! 12-inch gatefold book-and-record: 370212-inch LP only: 27027-inch book-and-record: 402Cassette: Charlie Brown Storyteller line Produced by Jymn Magon and Warren Lockhart; adapted by Magon; music by Vince Guaraldi. Combined material from the 1966 television special with newly recorded dialogue. He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 40312-inch gatefold book-and-record: 3703 (1979)12-inch LP only: 2603 (1979)Cassette: Charlie Brown Storyteller line Produced by Jymn Magon, Warren Lockhart, and Lee Mendelson; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. The 7-inch and cassette versions preceded the 12-inch editions and omitted the complete ending sequence. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown 12-inch gatefold book-and-record: 370412-inch LP only: 26047-inch book-and-record: 404Cassette: Charlie Brown Storyteller line Produced by Jymn Magon and Lee Mendelson; written by Charles M. Schulz and Jymn Magon; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. The 7-inch and cassette versions were shorter adaptations of the longer LP. You're in Love, Charlie Brown You're in Love, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 40512-inch gatefold book-and-record: 3705 (1979)Cassette: Charlie Brown Storyteller line Produced by Jymn Magon and Warren Lockhart; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. The 7-inch and cassette versions preceded the 12-inch edition and omitted portions of the television special, including material involving Peppermint Patty. Snoopy, Come Home1980 Snoopy Come Home 7-inch book-and-record: 406 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz. The adaptation uses Vince Guaraldi's score from It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown in place of the original film score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Adapted from the 1972 theatrical feature film. It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 407 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Ed Bogas and Judy Munsen. Adapted from the 1977 television special. You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 408 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. Adapted from the 1975 television special. It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 409 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. Adapted from the 1974 television special, with additional narration by Linus. It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 410 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Vince Guaraldi; arranged and conducted by John Scott Trotter. One of the final five 7-inch read-along releases in the series. You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown 7-inch book-and-record: 411 Produced by Jymn Magon; written by Charles M. Schulz; music by Ed Bogas and Judy Munsen. Adapted from the 1979 television special. Flashbeagle 1984 It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown 12-inch LP: 2518CassetteLater compact disc issue Music by Ed Bogas and Desirée Goyette; produced by Lee Mendelson, Goyette, Bogas, and Jymn Magon. A song-oriented soundtrack album rather than a narrated read-along adaptation.
Grammy Award nominations Release Grammy ceremony Category Recording Academy credit A Charlie Brown Christmas 20th Annual Grammy Awards 1978Best Recording for Children – Single or Album, Musical or Spoken Charles M. Schulz Charlie Brown's All-Stars 21st Annual Grammy Awards 1979 Jymn Magon and Warren Lockhart You're in Love, Charlie Brown 22nd Annual Grammy Awards 1980 Various Artists Flashbeagle 27th Annual Grammy Awards 1985 Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Whole Peanuts Gang
See also Peanuts filmography A Charlie Brown Christmas (soundtrack) Lee Mendelson Film Productions Walt Disney Records It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown
References
External links Lee Mendelson Film Productions Sean's Music Factory