Peanuts Valentine's and Bloody Hearts in Candy Boxes

 I think the Valentine's Peanuts Special was a very pleasant surprise the last time I watched it, and it was just as fun this year. In "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" (1975), poor Charlie Brown can't get a break. He just wants a Valentine card, but the little red head girl didn't send him one. Sadly, he waits at the school party for just that one card, even rather upbeat prior to this shindig, seemingly prepared for just a bit of joy, enthusiastic about his chances. As the cards went out to all the other kids, poor Chuck wasn't so lucky. Lucy, being the wiseass she often is, questions why anyone who get Chuck a card. Linus with his love for the teacher, wouldn't ever be a true candidate for a teacher's affections. Speaking of Lucy, her tantrum on Schroeder's piano, trying to get his attention about love and all that, doesn't exactly ingratiate herself to him...the piano and his music is Schroeder's passion. Schroeder had a more sizable role in this special, too. Handing out cards, telling Chuck that his name hasn't been seen on cards as he goes throughout the room, Schroeder even later in the special scolds the girl students about coming to Chuck after Valentine's with guilt when the previous day none of them gave him a card. The Easter and Valentine's Day specials, even the Thanksgiving, aren't quite up to the Christmas or Halloween specials but that's definitely not a knock against any of them. I guess, to me, I wasn't really expecting much with the Valentine's Day special so it was a worthwhile surprise. It isn't too long, but it has a fun little segment involving Snoopy and Sally, as Linus didn't get her the Valentine's gift she thought he did (too hot for teacher).

Yes, I once again watch "My Bloody Valentine" (1981) and bring it up on my Valentine's Day post, but this was a special experience because I got to finally watch it on a big enough flatscreen to appreciate it. And the Scream Factory release from last year was such a gem. In a couple of snips on a separate post, the quality of the print was such a gift. This does remain one of my all time favorite 80s slashers. Having seen it for years cut and a few years uncut, the print with all the scenes together in high quality is even a bigger deal. The Nova Scotia locations are just a realistic, refreshing backdrop. I don't know what it was, but this viewing, those scenes in town, particularly when Hallier is alone, with that good ominous music following her before Chief Newby comes up on her with his flashlight--and Newby and Mayor Hanniger driving to their city meeting when opening a candy box with a cut heart inside and a card with a warning--jumped off the screen at me. This way of life, not especially healthy, and rather isolated, just feels very routine and mundane. The men go into the mine shift to shift, breathe in the black dust, hit the showers, speeding out for the local watering hole. The boys try to keep a good humor and plenty of the local gals are there to have a beer with them and drag some smokes around a table. The swath of "Harry Morgan murders" sure shakes up the average everyday, for sure.