It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

I am a huge fan of Peanuts. Every year, I look forward to the holiday specials on television. IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN is one of them. Yet, I must admit: much like A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING and IT'S THE EASTER BEAGLE, CHARLIE BROWN, this show is kind of dated. I do still love it -- the characters and classic Peanuts gags we have all come to cherish. But truth be told, the animation in these earlier specials is sort of crude and the timing between a lot of the dialogue is very very very offbeat. So much so that it can actually get boring at times.

Yet I still love them. There is just something about these shows that we can all relate to again and again. Yes, the later films, tv shows and specials are all better drawn, and the timing is right on the dot; and some have a much smoother feel.

But these, I think, contain a certain nostalgic feeling. And that's why they are "classics."


Still Great All These Decades Later!   October 27, 2003
David Von Pein (Mooresville, Indiana; USA)
What's not to like about this treasured Halloween "Peanuts" tale? There's the fabulous piano music score. ... Linus and his blanket keeping watch in the nearby pumpkin patch, awaiting the infamous "Great Pumpkin". ... Sally getting gypped out of "Tricks or Treats". ... Snoopy dueling the Red Baron atop his doghouse. ... And, of course, the hilarity (and sadness at the same time) of watching Charlie Brown accumulate a bagful of rocks on Halloween Night.

These indelible set-pieces make up one of the most endearing, and timeless, holiday classics ever broadcast on television.

"It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", first telecast way back in 1966, will forever be a holiday favorite...whether it be on broadcast TV (remember the original TV commercials for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Dolly Madison Cakes?), VHS Video, or DVD.

Now ... if only some kindly neighbor could just toss a Snicker's Bar (or maybe even a fresh Dolly Madison Cupcake) into Charlie Brown's bag, I think we'd all feel better. :-)


Charlie Brown is one of the iconic figures of our time   October 12, 2003
Charlie Brown is one of the iconic figures of our time, and now that his great creator is no longer with us, we must content ourselves by enjoying hugely enjoyable videos like this one. When you next have a Peanuts nostalgia evening, buy this video and watch it with all your friends!