This Tuesday, December 6th ABC will air A Charlie Brown Christmas marking its 40th anniversary on television. I don’t think that we children of television fully appreciate the influence this holiday classic (I don’t use the word classic lightly) has on our popular culture. If someone, said "that looks like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree" you don’t need any explanation. If you hear Vince Guaraldi’s Linus And Lucy someone will mimic the dance moves of one or more of the characters. The only part that of the cartoon that is dated is when Lucy sends Charlie Brown out to get an aluminum tree.
Lucy Van Pelt: Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find, Charlie Brown, maybe painted pink.
It is hard to believe that this holiday special that has been airing all of my life was not liked by the brass at CBS, but remember these are the same people who thought that Gilligan's Island might be too highbrow. The network wanted a laugh track, did not like that real children were used to voice the characters (Snoopy was voiced by animator Bill Melendez) and thought the show was too religious (Linus quotes Luke 2:8-14).
Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.
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Article comments
1 - Darren
To me, nothing brings home the holidays with more force than "A Charlie Brown Christmas". I'm pretty much a lapsed Christian who's been using the "I'm spiritual, not religious" cop-out for twenty years, and yet... When Linus hits the stage, the spotlight comes on, and he starts reading, I tear up like a grade-schooler who's just skinned his knee. I don't know if it's just the nostalgia factor, but the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack has the same effect. That music just knocks me out.
To call it a "classic" is almost too lightweight a word. ACBC *defines* Christmas, both the feeling and the message, to me. Gotta buy it on DVD this year!
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
In other words, the 39th anniversary of a rerun.
3 - Darren
Yeah, that's it. Sure. Ter-rific. I guess it's not *cool* to become attached to anything in pop culture for reasons of nostalgia; or display any sentimentality. At least you've gotta find the poor animation and bad dancing amusing - ?
4 - Mark Sahm
There was a parody of ACBC on South Park where you see Snoopy beating Charlie Brown with a 2x4. Now that was timeless!
5 - Victor Lana
Great post, Tony! My daughter (4 years old) watched it the other night and LOVED it. It is universal in its appeal and doesn't grow old (even with Lucy and her aluminum tree).
I still can recite every word because in third grade I played Charlie Brown in the school Christmas play. As far as I'm concerned, it wouldn't be Christmas without Chuck, Lucy, and the gang.
6 - Eric Olsen
beautiful job Tony, thanks! It's on tonight!