Christmas Specials Wiki
Christmas Specials Wiki
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{{Italic title}}
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{{Italic title}}{{title
{{title
 
 
|image=title-charliebrown.jpg
 
|image=title-charliebrown.jpg
 
|director={{w|Bill Melendez}}
 
|director={{w|Bill Melendez}}
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|runtime=25 minutes
 
|runtime=25 minutes
 
|rating=TV-G
 
|rating=TV-G
|available=VHS<br>Laserdisc<br>DVD<br>[https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/charlie-brown-christmas-its/id289556208?i=289684054 iTunes]<br>[http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Ann-Altieri/dp/B001K2JE9K/ Amazon Instant Video]<br>Blu-ray
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|available=VHS<br>Laserdisc<br>DVD<br>Blu-ray<br>Ultra HD Blu-ray<br>[https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/charlie-brown-christmas-its/id289556208?i=289684054 Apple TV]<br>[http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Ann-Altieri/dp/B001K2JE9K/ Amazon Video]}}
}}{{Quote|Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right; of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.|Linus' first line, said in response to Charlie Brown's holiday depression}}
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{{Quote|Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right; of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.|Linus' first line, said in response to Charlie Brown's holiday depression}}
'''''A Charlie Brown Christmas''''' is the first animated television special based on the popular newspaper comic strip ''[[w:c:peanuts:Peanuts|Peanuts]]'' by [[wikipedia:Charles M. Schulz|Charles M. Schulz]], and also the first [[Christmas]] special for the franchise. It was produced and directed by former [[:Category:Warner Bros.|Warner Bros.]] and [[wikipedia:United Productions of America|UPA]] animator [[Bill Melendez]], who also supplied the voice of [[Snoopy]]. Originally sponsored by {{W|Coca-Cola}}, the special debuted on [[wikipedia:CBS|CBS]] in 1965, and has been aired during the Christmas season every year since (on CBS through 2000, and on [[wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] since 2001). The special has been honored with both an Emmy and a Peabody Award.
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'''''A Charlie Brown Christmas''''' is the first animated television special based on the popular newspaper comic strip ''[[w:c:peanuts:Peanuts|Peanuts]]'' by {{W|Charles M. Schulz}}, and also the first [[Christmas]] special for the franchise. It was produced and directed by former [[:Category:Warner Bros.|Warner Bros.]] and [[wikipedia:United Productions of America|UPA]] animator [[Bill Melendez]], who also supplied the voice of [[Snoopy]]. Originally sponsored by {{W|Coca-Cola}}, the special debuted on {{W|CBS}} in 1965, and has been aired during the Christmas season every year since (on CBS through 2000, and on [[wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] since 2001). The special has been honored with both an Emmy and a Peabody Award.
   
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
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It is the Christmas season, but while the rest of the ''Peanuts'' gang is out ice skating, Charlie Brown is feeling depressed. He confides this fact to [[Linus van Pelt|Linus]], citing his dismay with the over-commercialization of Christmas and his inability to grasp what Christmas is all about, which Linus dismisses as Charlie Brown's typical behavior at first. Later, Charlie Brown goes to visit [[Lucy van Pelt|Lucy]] at her psychiatric booth, and she recommends that he direct the school's Christmas pageant in order to lift his spirits. On his way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown finds his dog [[Snoopy]] decorating his doghouse for a neighborhood lights and display contest, and is dismayed to see that his own dog has gone commercial. He then runs into his sister [[Sally Brown|Sally]], who asks him to write her letter to [[Santa Claus]]. When she tells him to put in a request for money ("tens and twenties"), Charlie Brown becomes even more dismayed.
 
It is the Christmas season, but while the rest of the ''Peanuts'' gang is out ice skating, Charlie Brown is feeling depressed. He confides this fact to [[Linus van Pelt|Linus]], citing his dismay with the over-commercialization of Christmas and his inability to grasp what Christmas is all about, which Linus dismisses as Charlie Brown's typical behavior at first. Later, Charlie Brown goes to visit [[Lucy van Pelt|Lucy]] at her psychiatric booth, and she recommends that he direct the school's Christmas pageant in order to lift his spirits. On his way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown finds his dog [[Snoopy]] decorating his doghouse for a neighborhood lights and display contest, and is dismayed to see that his own dog has gone commercial. He then runs into his sister [[Sally Brown|Sally]], who asks him to write her letter to [[Santa Claus]]. When she tells him to put in a request for money ("tens and twenties"), Charlie Brown becomes even more dismayed.
   
[[File:Cbdance.jpg|thumb|250px|The kids dancing to "[[Linus and Lucy]]".]]
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[[File:Cbdance.jpg|thumb|250px|The kids dancing to "Christmas is Coming" and "[[Linus and Lucy]]".]]
 
Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but try as he might, he cannot seem to get control of the situation, as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with dancing and lively music, particularly [[Schroeder]]'s rendition of "[[Linus and Lucy]]." Charlie Brown, on the other hand, is determined not to let the play become commercial and to focus on the traditional side of the story.
 
Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but try as he might, he cannot seem to get control of the situation, as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with dancing and lively music, particularly [[Schroeder]]'s rendition of "[[Linus and Lucy]]." Charlie Brown, on the other hand, is determined not to let the play become commercial and to focus on the traditional side of the story.
   
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Thinking the play requires "the proper mood", Charlie Brown decides they need a Christmas tree, so Lucy dispatches Charlie Brown to go get a "big, shiny aluminum tree". Accompanied by [[Linus van Pelt|Linus]], Charlie Brown heads off to the Christmas tree lot and finds a small baby tree which is the only real tree on the lot. Linus is not sure about Charlie Brown's choice, but Charlie Brown is convinced that after decorating it, it will be just right for the play.
 
Thinking the play requires "the proper mood", Charlie Brown decides they need a Christmas tree, so Lucy dispatches Charlie Brown to go get a "big, shiny aluminum tree". Accompanied by [[Linus van Pelt|Linus]], Charlie Brown heads off to the Christmas tree lot and finds a small baby tree which is the only real tree on the lot. Linus is not sure about Charlie Brown's choice, but Charlie Brown is convinced that after decorating it, it will be just right for the play.
   
When they return to the school auditorium with the tree, everybody, especially Lucy, laughs at Charlie Brown about his choice. Second guessing himself, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is all about, loudly asking if anyone can tell him what Christmas is all about, to which Linus eloquently responds by quoting the second chapter of the {{W|Gospel of Luke|Gospel according to Luke}}, verses 8 through 14 from the {{W|Authorized King James Version}}:
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When they return to the school auditorium with the tree, everybody, especially Snoopy, laughs at Charlie Brown about his choice. Second guessing himself, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is all about, loudly asking if anyone can tell him what Christmas is all about, to which Linus eloquently responds by quoting the second chapter of the {{W|Gospel of Luke|Gospel according to Luke}}, verses 8 through 14 from the {{W|Authorized King James Version}}:
   
 
<div id="linusmonologue">{{Quote|''And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 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 you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David: a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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'.''
<div id="linusmonologue">
 
{{Quote|''And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 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 you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David: a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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.}}</div>
 
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.}}</div>
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[[File:PeanutsGroupXmas.jpg|thumb|250px|"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"]]
 
[[File:PeanutsGroupXmas.jpg|thumb|250px|"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"]]
Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas. With a newly found sense of inspiration, he quietly heads home with the tree, deciding to decorate it and show the others it will work in the play. He arrives home to find that Snoopy's doghouse has won first prize in the decorating contest. But when he places a single ornament from the doghouse onto his tree, the whole thing bends over, and Charlie Brown is afraid that he has killed it. However, the rest of the gang comes to cheer him up, with Linus wrapping his blanket around the tree and everyone else placing the remaining decorations from Snoopy's doghouse to the tree, much to Charlie Brown's surprise, and then singing "[[Hark! The Herald Angels Sing]]" along with him.
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Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas. With a newly found sense of inspiration, he quietly heads home with the tree, deciding to decorate it and show the others it will work in the play. He arrives home to find that Snoopy's doghouse has won first prize in the decorating contest. But when he places a shiny red ornament from the doghouse onto his tree, the whole thing bends over, and Charlie Brown is shocked that he has killed it and says that everything he touches gets ruined. However, the rest of the gang comes to fix his tree with Linus wrapping his blanket around the tree and everyone else placing the remaining decorations from Snoopy's doghouse to the tree, much to Charlie Brown's surprise, and then singing "[[Hark! The Herald Angels Sing]]" along with him.
   
 
==Production and reception==
 
==Production and reception==
 
[[File:CharlieBrownChristmas_MakingOf_Book.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the "Making of..." book, published in 2000.]]
 
[[File:CharlieBrownChristmas_MakingOf_Book.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the "Making of..." book, published in 2000.]]
Bringing the ''Peanuts'' characters to television was not an easy task. The production was done on a low budget, resulting in a somewhat choppy animation style and, from a technical standpoint, poorly mixed sound. With the exception of the actors who voiced Charlie Brown ([[wikipedia:Peter Robbins (actor)|Peter Robbins]]), Linus (Christopher Shea), and Lucy ({{W|Tracy Stratford}}), none of the children had any experience doing voice work.
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Bringing the ''Peanuts'' characters to television was not an easy task. The production was done on a low budget, resulting in a somewhat choppy animation style and, from a technical standpoint, poorly mixed sound. With the exception of the actors who voiced Charlie Brown ({{W|Peter Robbins (actor)|Peter Robbins}}), Linus (Christopher Shea), and Lucy ({{W|Tracy Stratford}}), none of the children had any experience doing voice work.
   
CBS' network executives were not at all keen on several aspects of the show, forcing Schulz and Melendez to wage some serious battles to preserve their vision. Among them, the executives had problems with the scene with Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke (because they assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the [[wikipedia:Authorized King James Version|King James Version]] of the Bible; Charles Schulz insisted on keeping this scene in, remarking, "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?"), the absence of a laugh track, the use of children doing the voice acting, and the jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi (which they thought would not work well for a children's program). When executives saw the final product, they were horrified and believed the special would be a complete flop. CBS programmers were equally pessimistic, informing the production team, "We will, of course, air it next week, but I'm afraid we won't be ordering any more." Mendelson and Melendez said to themselves, "We've just ruined Charlie Brown."
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CBS' network executives were not at all keen on several aspects of the show, forcing Schulz and Melendez to wage some serious battles to preserve their vision. Among them, the executives had problems with the scene with Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke, because they assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the [[wikipedia:Authorized King James Version|King James Version]] of the Bible. However, Charles Schulz insisted on keeping this scene in, remarking, "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?" (It could also be worth noting that Linus's recitation was incorporated in such a way that it forms the climax of the special, thus making it impossible to successfully edit out.) The executives also disliked the absence of a laugh track, the use of children doing the voice acting, and the jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi (which they thought would not work well for a children's program). When executives saw the final product, they were horrified and believed the special would be a complete flop. CBS programmers were equally pessimistic, informing the production team, "We will, of course, air it next week, but I'm afraid we won't be ordering any more." Mendelson and Melendez said to themselves, "We've just ruined Charlie Brown."
   
To the surprise of the executives, the premiere of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' was the second-highest rated program of the week, reaching well over 15 million homes. Second only to the blockbuster ''{{W|Bonanza}}'', the special was watched by more people watched that week than ''Lucille Ball'', ''[[wikipedia:Walt Disney anthology television series|Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color]]'', ''{{W|The Andy Griffith Show}}'', and ''{{W|The Beverly Hillbillies}}''.<ref>''A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition'', by {{w|Lee Mendelson}} with reminiscences by {{w|Bill Melendez}}. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers Inc. The book's information is quoting an ''Advertising Age'' top ten list from January 10, 1966.</ref>
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To the surprise of both the producers and the executives, the premiere of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' was the second-highest rated program of the week, reaching well over 15 million homes. Second only to ''{{W|Bonanza}}'', the special was watched by more people watched that week than ''Lucille Ball'', ''{{W|Walt Disney anthology television series|Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color}}'', ''{{W|The Andy Griffith Show}}'', and ''{{W|The Beverly Hillbillies}}''.<ref name="makingof">''A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition'', by {{w|Lee Mendelson}} with reminiscences by {{w|Bill Melendez}}. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers Inc. The book's information is quoting an ''Advertising Age'' top ten list from January 10, 1966.</ref>
   
In the following years, ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' reached an even larger audience. Two airings of the special appear on the "All-Time Top 10 Christmas Ratings" list -- 1967, which got a 34.3, and 1969, which got a 34.8 rating. The only other shows rated higher than the 1969 ''Charlie Brown Christmas'' are the annual ''Bob Hope Christmas Specials'', a popular tradition in the late 60s and early 70s.<ref>''A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition'', by {{w|Lee Mendelson}} with reminiscences by {{w|Bill Melendez}}. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers Inc.</ref>
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In the following years, ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' reached an even larger audience. Two airings of the special appear on the "All-Time Top 10 Christmas Ratings" list -- 1967, which got a 34.3, and 1969, which got a 34.8 rating. The only other shows rated higher than the 1969 ''Charlie Brown Christmas'' are the annual ''Bob Hope Christmas Specials'', a popular tradition in the late 60s and early 70s.<ref name="makingof">''A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition'', by {{w|Lee Mendelson}} with reminiscences by {{w|Bill Melendez}}. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers Inc.</ref>
   
 
==Broadcast history and availability==
 
==Broadcast history and availability==
[[Wikipedia:CBS|CBS]] held broadcast rights to the special from 1965 until 2000. Afterwards, [[Wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] took over broadcast rights to this and other ''Peanuts'' animated holiday specials (including the traditional {{W|Halloween}} special, ''[[Wikipedia:It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown|It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown]]'') in 2001.
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{{W|CBS}} held broadcast rights to the special from 1965 until 2000. Afterwards, [[Wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] took over broadcast rights to this and other ''Peanuts'' animated holiday specials (including the traditional {{W|Halloween}} special, ''{{W|It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown}}'') in 2001.
   
 
To allow the full special to play, ABC's broadcasts of the special usually run for an hour-length slot, with ''[[Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales]]'', which premiered in 2002, filling out the rest of the hour. Prior to the later special being made, the ABC broadcasts in 2001 instead had a "making of" documentary accompanying the original special. ''The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas'', curiously, has not accompanied the original special on any video release, instead appearing as a bonus feature on Paramount's DVD release of ''[[I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown]]''.
 
To allow the full special to play, ABC's broadcasts of the special usually run for an hour-length slot, with ''[[Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales]]'', which premiered in 2002, filling out the rest of the hour. Prior to the later special being made, the ABC broadcasts in 2001 instead had a "making of" documentary accompanying the original special. ''The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas'', curiously, has not accompanied the original special on any video release, instead appearing as a bonus feature on Paramount's DVD release of ''[[I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown]]''.
   
The 2015 broadcast, in honor of the special's 50th anniversary, was preceded by a retrospective special titled ''[[w:c:peanuts:It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown|It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown]]'', hosted by {{W|Kristen Bell}}. The documentary featured performances of various ''Peanuts'' songs by {{W|David Benoit}}, {{W|Sarah McLaughlan}}, {{W|Matthew Morrison}}, {{W|Boyz II Men}}, {{W|Kristen Chenoweth}} (who had played Sally in the 1999 Broadway revival of ''{{W|You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown}}'' and provided the vocal effects of [[w:c:peanuts:Fifi|Fifi]] in ''{{W|The Peanuts Movie}}''), {{W|Pentatonix}}, and the All-American Boys Chorus. It also included interviews with the cast and crew members (including one with [[wikipedia:Fergie (singer)|Stacy Ferguson]], who voiced Sally in 1984 and 1985) and montages of clips from later ''Peanuts'' cartoons (originally used in the 1990 anniversary special ''[[w:c:peanuts:You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown|You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown]]'').
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The 2015 broadcast, in honor of the special's 50th anniversary, was preceded by a retrospective special titled ''[[w:c:peanuts:It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown|It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown]]'', hosted by {{W|Kristen Bell}}. The documentary featured performances of various ''Peanuts'' songs by {{W|David Benoit}}, {{W|Sarah McLaughlan}}, {{W|Matthew Morrison}}, {{W|Boyz II Men}}, {{W|Kristen Chenoweth}} (who had played Sally in the 1999 Broadway revival of ''{{W|You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown}}'' and provided the vocal effects of [[w:c:peanuts:Fifi|Fifi]] in ''{{W|The Peanuts Movie}}''), {{W|Pentatonix}}, and the All-American Boys Chorus. It also included interviews with the cast and crew members (including one with {{W|Fergie (singer)|Stacy Ferguson}}, who voiced Sally in 1984 and 1985) and montages of clips from later ''Peanuts'' cartoons (originally used in the 1990 anniversary special ''[[w:c:peanuts:You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown|You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown]]'').
   
 
===Home video releases===
 
===Home video releases===
 
The special was first released to home video by Hi-Top Video in 1984. It was released on VHS again in 1990, this time being sold exclusively at {{W|Royal Dutch Shell|Shell}} gas stations.
 
The special was first released to home video by Hi-Top Video in 1984. It was released on VHS again in 1990, this time being sold exclusively at {{W|Royal Dutch Shell|Shell}} gas stations.
   
The special was released on VHS once again when {{W|Paramount Home Entertainment|Paramount Home Video}} acquired the video rights to the ''Peanuts'' cartoons in 1994. Paramount reissued the tape in 1996, this time in a plastic case. At the same time, they also released it to Laserdisc; this release also included the non-holiday ''Peanuts'' special ''[[wikipedia:You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown|You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown]]''. Paramount later released the special on DVD in 2000, where it was accompanied by ''[[It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown]]''. This DVD was also sold in a box set alongside Paramount's DVD releases of ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'' and ''[[wikipedia:A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving|A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving]]''.
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The special was released on VHS once again when {{W|Paramount Home Entertainment|Paramount Home Video}} acquired the video rights to the ''Peanuts'' cartoons in 1994. Paramount reissued the tape two years later, this time in a plastic case. At the same time, they also released it to Laserdisc; this release also included the non-holiday ''Peanuts'' special ''{{W|You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown}}''. Paramount later released the special on DVD in 2000, where it was accompanied by ''[[It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown]]''. This DVD was also sold in a box set alongside Paramount's DVD releases of ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'' and ''{{W|A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving}}''.
   
Following {{W|Warner Home Video}}'s acquisition of the video rights to the ''Peanuts'' specials, a "Remastered Deluxe Edition" DVD was released on September 23, 2008, again with ''It's Christmastime Again'' as a bonus special, but also with a new behind-the-scenes featurette. Like Paramount, Warner Home Video also included the DVD in a box set with their own DVDs of the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials. Warner also made the special available as an {{W|iTunes}} and {{W|PlayStation Network}} digital download, also accompanied by not only ''It's Christmastime Again'', but also the non-holiday special ''[[wikipedia:It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown|It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown]]''. A year later, Warner released a Blu-ray of the special, containing the same content as the DVD. Warner Home Video also included the special in the 2-disc ''Peanuts 1960s Collection'' DVD set, released on July 7, 2009. The special was released on DVD again, this time with a "50th Anniversary Edition" label, on December 2, 2014 (a full year ''before'' the special's actual 50th anniversary). An Ultra HD Blu-ray version, containing all the contents from the iTunes and PlayStation Network releases, will be made available as part of a box set with the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials on October 10, 2017, and will be released individually on October 24th.
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Following {{W|Warner Home Video}}'s acquisition of the video rights to the ''Peanuts'' specials, a "Remastered Deluxe Edition" DVD was released on September 23, 2008, again with ''It's Christmastime Again'' as a bonus special, but also with a new behind-the-scenes featurette. Like Paramount, Warner Home Video also included the DVD in a box set with their own DVDs of the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials. A year later, Warner released a Blu-ray of the special, containing the same content as the DVD. Warner Home Video also included the special in the 2-disc ''Peanuts 1960s Collection'' DVD set, released on July 7, 2009. The special was released on DVD again, this time with a "50th Anniversary Edition" label, on December 2, 2014 (a full year ''before'' the special's actual 50th anniversary). An Ultra HD Blu-ray version was made available as part of a box set with the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials on October 10, 2017, and then released individually on October 24th; this release included the contents of Warner's previous releases and also added in a third special, ''{{W|It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown}}''. The following year, a new "Special Edition" Blu-ray release (of the non-Ultra HD variety), containing the contents from the Ultra HD release, was made available exclusively at {{W|Target Corporation|Target}} stores. This Blu-ray became available at general retailers on September 10, 2019.
   
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Outside of physical media, Warner also made the special available as an {{W|Apple TV}} and {{W|PlayStation Network}} digital download, again accompanied by ''It's Christmastime Again'' and ''It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown''.
<gallery captionalign="center" widths="200" spacing="small" position="center" bordercolor="transparent" hideaddbutton="true">
 
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CharlieBrownXmasVHS_1984.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Hi-Top Video<br>1984}}
 
 
<gallery widths="200" spacing="small" bordercolor="transparent">
CharlieBrownXmasVHS_1991.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Shell<br>1990}}
 
CharlieBrownXmasVHS_1994.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Paramount Home Entertainment<br>1994}}
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CharlieBrownXmasVHS 1984.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Hi-Tops Video<br>1984}}
CharlieBrownXmasVHS_1996.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Paramount Home Entertainment<br>September 17, 1996}}
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CharlieBrownXmasVHS 1991.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Shell<br>1990}}
CharlieBrownXmasLaserdisc.jpg|{{GNH|Laserdisc|Paramount Home Entertainment<br>September 17, 1996}}
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CharlieBrownXmasVHS 1994.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Paramount Home Video<br>1994}}
CharlieBrownXmasDVD_2000.jpg|{{GNH|DVD|Paramount Home Entertainment<br>September 12, 2000}}
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CharlieBrownXmasVHS 1996.jpg|{{GNH|VHS|Paramount Home Video<br>September 17, 1996<br>Reprint of the 1994 VHS.}}
CharlieBrownXmasDVD_2008.jpg|{{GNH|Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD|Warner Home Video<br>September 23, 2008}}
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CharlieBrownXmasLaserdisc.jpg|{{GNH|Laserdisc|Paramount Home Video<br>September 17, 1996}}
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CharlieBrownXmasDVD 2000.jpg|{{GNH|DVD|Paramount Home Video<br>September 12, 2000}}
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CharlieBrownXmasDVD 2008.jpg|{{GNH|Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD|Warner Home Video<br>September 23, 2008}}
 
CharlieBrownXmasBluray.jpg|{{GNH|Blu-ray|Warner Home Video<br>October 6, 2009}}
 
CharlieBrownXmasBluray.jpg|{{GNH|Blu-ray|Warner Home Video<br>October 6, 2009}}
CharlieBrownChristmas_50thAnniversaryDVD.jpg|{{GNH|50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition DVD|Warner Home Video<br>December 2, 2014}}
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CharlieBrownChristmas 50thAnniversaryDVD.jpg|{{GNH|50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition DVD|Warner Home Video<br>December 2, 2014}}
ACharlieBrownChristmas_4KUHD.jpg|{{GNH|Ultra HD Blu-ray|Warner Home Video<br>October 10, 2017}}
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ACharlieBrownChristmas 4KUHD.jpg|{{GNH|Ultra HD Blu-ray|Warner Home Entertainment<br>October 10, 2017}}
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Charlie Brown Christmas Bluray 2018.jpg|{{GNH|Special Edition Blu-ray|Warner Home Entertainment<br>November 20, 2018}}
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
 
===Edits===
 
===Edits===
 
[[File:A Charlie Brown Christmas CocaCola.png|thumb|250px|The special was originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, as seen in this shot that was cut from later broadcasts and video releases.]]
 
[[File:A Charlie Brown Christmas CocaCola.png|thumb|250px|The special was originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, as seen in this shot that was cut from later broadcasts and video releases.]]
The special has not been shown in its full original form since the 1960s, due to having to cut out plugs for the special's original sponsor, [[Wikipedia:Coca-Cola|Coca-Cola]]. In the original airing, immediately following Charlie Brown crashing into the tree during the opening sequence, Snoopy then tosses Linus at a sign that says "Brought to you by the people in your town who bottle Coca-Cola" (an alternate take, in which the sign instead says "DANGER", was made and used in early promos advertising the special, but it is unknown what happened to this version<ref>[http://www.platypuscomix.net/hollywood/rarestuff.html Platypus Comix: Rarest Moments From Your Favorite Shows]</ref>), and the end credits used to close with a subtitle reading "Merry Christmas from your local Coca-Cola bottler."
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The special has not been shown in its full original form since the 1960s, due to having to cut out plugs for the special's original sponsor, [[Wikipedia:Coca-Cola|Coca-Cola]]. In the original airing, immediately following Charlie Brown crashing into the tree during the opening sequence, Snoopy then tosses Linus at a sign that says "Brought to you by the people in your town who bottle Coca-Cola" (an alternate take, in which the sign instead says "DANGER", was made and used in early promos advertising the special, but it is unknown what happened to this version<ref>[http://www.platypuscomix.net/hollywood/rarestuff.html Platypus Comix: Rarest Moments From Your Favorite Shows]</ref>), and the end credits used to close with a subtitle reading "Merry Christmas from your local Coca-Cola bottler." In addition to the Coca-Cola sponsor tags being removed, several other edits were made to the special that have remained in all subsequent broadcasts and releases:
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* Some background music and sound effects that were previously missing were added in. Some shots were also slightly extended for better timing (such as Lucy noticing Snoopy mocking her, and Charlie Brown's reaction to the decorated tree).
 
  +
* Snoopy decorating his doghouse was originally accompanied by the instrumental to "Christmas Time is Here"; in the revised version, it was replaced by the "Surfin' Snoopy" music (originally used in ''{{W|Charlie Brown's All-Stars}}''), and more sounds were added in for Snoopy putting up his decorations. Also, in the original version, Charlie Brown reading the flier for the decorating contest did not include the phrase "Spectacular super-colossal neighborhood Christmas lights-and-display contest," resulting in him awkwardly pausing for a few seconds before giving his reaction. For the revised version, new dialogue of him reading the full flier text was spliced in (including a new recording of his reaction to the contest).
From 1966 through 1996, subsequent broadcasts cut out the scene where Patty and Linus catch snowflakes on their tongues, and then Lucy, Schroeder, Charlie Brown and Linus throw snowballs at a tin can on a fence. This scene was reinstated in the 1990 VHS release (and all subsequent video releases) before eventually returning to the televised broadcasts in 1997.
 
  +
* When the kids applaud for Charlie Brown when he arrives at the auditorium, Snoopy's howling is longer and more high pitched in the revised version.
 
  +
* In the original version, the camera was not zoomed in on Lucy's hand showing her "five good reasons" when ordering Linus to memorize his script.
In 2009 and 2011, ABC aired a shortened version of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' alongside the premieres of the ''[[Prep & Landing]]'' specials, with the unedited version (and ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'') airing a week later. In addition to again removing the above-mentioned scene with the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues and throwing snowballs at the can, these particular broadcasts had the following scenes cut to create space for more commercials:
 
  +
* The iconic shot of the kids dancing to "Linus and Lucy" was repeated two more times in the original version. For the revised version, the third occurrence (when Charlie Brown tells Schroeder to "set the mood for the first scene") was replaced with a new close-up shot of Schroeder playing his piano, while the fourth occurrence (after Charlie Brown calls, "Places! Action!") was replaced with some new animation of the kids dancing to the music.
  +
* In the original version, the camera was zoomed out too far during the shot of Frieda complaining about having to work with Pig-pen, and again in the shot of Charlie Brown picking up the megaphone.
  +
* When Snoopy shows off his "lunch break" tricks, it was accompanied by a different set of sound effects, and his dinner bowl was white instead of red.
  +
* An animation error where Charlie Brown's nose disappeared (during Lucy asking, "Look, Charlie Brown, what do you want?") was fixed.
  +
* Linus tapping his fist against one of the aluminum trees was a gag added in the revised version.
  +
* When Charlie Brown and Linus find the small baby tree, Linus' remark ("Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?") was made onscreen in the revised version.
  +
* The last shot of Linus' bible quotation was reanimated and slightly extended, though oddly creating a continuity error in that he is holding his blanket in the shot, right before picking it up off the ground in the very next shot.
  +
* In the revised version, a commercial fade-out was placed right before the scene of Charlie Brown finding out that Snoopy's doghouse won first prize in the decorating contest (in the original version, there was simply a cut to that scene from the previous one). Also, Charlie Brown's reaction to seeing the first-place ribbon was reanimated.
  +
* A brief pause when the kids decorate the tree was removed.
  +
* When the kids show Charlie Brown the decorated tree and begin to sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" at the end, Snoopy appears to be moving his mouth to the words along with them and Charlie Brown's face turns red (as if he's blushing) right before he joins in the song. Both of these oddities were fixed in the revised cut.
   
 
From the 1970s through 1996, subsequent broadcasts cut out the scene where Patty and Linus catch snowflakes on their tongues, and then Lucy, Schroeder, Charlie Brown and Linus throw snowballs at a tin can on a fence. This scene was reinstated in the 1990 VHS release (and all subsequent video releases) and later returned to the televised broadcasts in 1997.
*While Pig-Pen is building a snowman, Charlie Brown approaches and comments on the dust cloud kicked up in the snowstorm.
 
*Snoopy eating a stack of bones while reading a newspaper on top of his doghouse.
 
*Sally asking Charlie Brown to help her write a letter to Santa Claus.
 
*Shermy's only line after being informed by Lucy that he will be playing a shepherd in the Christmas play.
 
*Lucy asking Schroeder to play a simple version of "[[Jingle Bells]]", only to hear him play three of them (conventional piano, Hammond organ, and toy piano on one finger).
 
   
 
In 2009 and 2011, ABC aired a shortened version of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' alongside the premieres of the ''[[Prep & Landing]]'' specials, with the unedited version (and ''Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales'') airing a week later. In addition to again removing the above-mentioned scene with the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues and throwing snowballs at the can, these particular broadcasts also had the following scenes cut:
It could also be worth noting that the Linus's recitation of Scripture was incorporated in such a way that it forms the climax of the film, thus making it impossible to successfully edit out.
 
 
* Charlie Brown passing by Pig-Pen building a snowman and Snoopy eating a stack of bones while reading a newspaper on top of his doghouse.
 
* Sally asking Charlie Brown to help her write a letter to Santa Claus.
 
* Shermy's only line after being informed by Lucy that he will be playing a shepherd.
 
* Lucy asking Schroeder to play a simple version of "[[Jingle Bells (song)|Jingle Bells]]", only to hear him play three versions of it (conventional piano, Hammond organ, and toy piano on one finger).
   
 
==Songs==
 
==Songs==
 
[[File:CBXmasAlbum.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the soundtrack album.]]
 
[[File:CBXmasAlbum.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the soundtrack album.]]
''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' features original music written by [[wikipedia:Vince Guaraldi|Vince Guaraldi]], and performed by his jazz trio.
+
''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' features original music written by {{W|Vince Guaraldi}}, and performed by his jazz trio.
 
*"[[Christmas Time is Here]]"
 
*"[[Christmas Time is Here]]"
 
*"[[Linus and Lucy]]"
 
*"[[Linus and Lucy]]"
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==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
*Aluminum Christmas trees, like the kind Lucy recommends Charlie Brown getting, were a real-life holiday decoration that were popular at the time this special aired, though they were artificial trees with metallic needles rather than the hollow metal cones in the tree lot that Charlie Brown and Linus visit. They became a lot less popular after the advent of this special, to the point that younger viewers would likely think the idea was something made up for the story (to the point that [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AluminumChristmasTrees TV Tropes' page about this trope] is named after the line). Artificial trees nowadays are made to look closer to real trees, with only the "trunks" being made of any kind of metal.
+
*Aluminum Christmas trees, like the kind Lucy recommends Charlie Brown getting, were a real-life holiday decoration that were popular at the time this special aired, though they were artificial trees with metallic needles rather than the hollow metal cones in the tree lot that Charlie Brown and Linus visit. They became a lot less popular after the advent of this special, to the point that younger viewers would likely think they were something made up for the story (to the point that [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AluminumChristmasTrees TV Tropes' page about this trope] is named after the line). Artificial trees nowadays are made to look closer to real trees, with only the "trunks" being made of any kind of metal.
 
*Christopher Shea, who voiced Linus, would star in the first Christmas episode of ''{{W|That Girl}}'', "[[Christmas And The Hard Luck Kid]]", broadcast a year later.
 
*Christopher Shea, who voiced Linus, would star in the first Christmas episode of ''{{W|That Girl}}'', "[[Christmas And The Hard Luck Kid]]", broadcast a year later.
 
*In a real-life version of life imitating art, because of budget cuts, the city of Concord, California had a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" for the 2009 holiday season in the city's Todos Santos Plaza.<ref>[http://www.ktvu.com/hollywood-vine/21807400/detail.html City Opts for "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree", KTVU.com, December 4, 2009; retrieved December 13, 2009]</ref>
 
*In a real-life version of life imitating art, because of budget cuts, the city of Concord, California had a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" for the 2009 holiday season in the city's Todos Santos Plaza.<ref>[http://www.ktvu.com/hollywood-vine/21807400/detail.html City Opts for "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree", KTVU.com, December 4, 2009; retrieved December 13, 2009]</ref>
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===References in other media===
 
===References in other media===
 
*A Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree makes an appearance on the set of [[the Joker]]'s TV special in the [[w:c:dcau:Batman: The Animated Series|''Batman: The Animated Series'']] episode "[[Christmas With the Joker]]".
 
*A Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree makes an appearance on the set of [[the Joker]]'s TV special in the [[w:c:dcau:Batman: The Animated Series|''Batman: The Animated Series'']] episode "[[Christmas With the Joker]]".
*During the song at the end of the ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' episode "[[It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special]]", the line "If your Christmas tree's pathetic" is illustrated by a shot of [[Buster Bunny|Buster]] and [[Babs Bunny|Babs]], drawn to look like Charlie Brown and Lucy, coming upon a tree like the one in the special, which then crumbles.
+
*During the song at the end of the ''{{W|Tiny Toon Adventures}}'' episode "[[It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special]]", the line "If your Christmas tree's pathetic" is illustrated by a shot of [[Buster Bunny|Buster]] and [[Babs Bunny|Babs]], drawn to look like Charlie Brown and Lucy, coming upon a tree like the one in the special, which then crumbles.
*In the ''[[w:c:futurama:Futurama|Futurama]]'' episode "[[Xmas Story]]", a group of kids appear skating similar to the opening scene, right before [[Bender]], having just fallen off a cliff, crashes through the ice and causes them to fall into the water.
+
*In the ''{{W|Futurama}}'' episode "[[Xmas Story]]", a group of kids appear skating similar to the opening scene, right before [[Bender]], having just fallen off a cliff, crashes through the ice and causes them to fall into the water.
 
*In two of the segments produced for ''[[A Very Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Holiday Special]]'', characters from ''{{w|Dexter's Laboratory}}'', ''{{w|Cow and Chicken}}'', ''{{w|Johnny Bravo}}'', ''{{w|The Powerpuff Girls}}'', ''{{w|Ed, Edd n Eddy}}'', and ''{{w|Courage the Cowardly Dog}}'' are shown mimicking the dancing scene and the closing scene.
 
*In two of the segments produced for ''[[A Very Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Holiday Special]]'', characters from ''{{w|Dexter's Laboratory}}'', ''{{w|Cow and Chicken}}'', ''{{w|Johnny Bravo}}'', ''{{w|The Powerpuff Girls}}'', ''{{w|Ed, Edd n Eddy}}'', and ''{{w|Courage the Cowardly Dog}}'' are shown mimicking the dancing scene and the closing scene.
 
*At the end of "[[A Johnny Bravo Christmas]]", [[Johnny Bravo|Johnny]] and some of his party guests are shown mimicking the ''Peanuts'' gang's dancing moves.
 
*At the end of "[[A Johnny Bravo Christmas]]", [[Johnny Bravo|Johnny]] and some of his party guests are shown mimicking the ''Peanuts'' gang's dancing moves.
 
*The ''{{w|FoxTrot}}'' strip published on December 20, 2001, has Peter watching the special on TV as an excuse to not do his homework. Andy makes him go do his homework anyway, though, because they have the special on videotape.
 
*The ''{{w|FoxTrot}}'' strip published on December 20, 2001, has Peter watching the special on TV as an excuse to not do his homework. Andy makes him go do his homework anyway, though, because they have the special on videotape.
**The Sunday strip published on December 17, 2006, has Roger trying to find a Christmas tree, but all the ones at the lot are already sold. He then sees a little tree that hasn't been sold. The last panel shows him screaming in despair when he finds Linus and Charlie Brown walking away with the tree (which looks just like the one Charlie Brown picks up in the special).
+
**The Sunday strip published on December 17, 2006, has Roger trying to find a Christmas tree, but all the ones at the lot are already sold. He then sees a little tree that hasn't been sold. The last panel shows him screaming in despair when he finds Linus and Charlie Brown walking away with the tree (which looks just like the one from the special).
*From 2002 through 2005, [[:Category:Nickelodeon|Nickelodeon]] ran [[Merry Nickmas (shorts)|a series of vignettes every Christmas]], one of them a parody of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' starring the characters from ''[[w:c:rugrats:Rugrats|Rugrats]]''. Titled "[[Merry Nickmas (shorts)#A Chuckie Finster Christmas, Channukah, Kwaanza, Winter Solstice|A Chuckie Finster Christmas, Channukah, Kwaanza, Winter Solstice]]", the spot features [[Chuckie Finster|Chuckie]] in the Charlie Brown role. [[Tommy Pickles|Tommy]] later attempts Linus's recitation of Luke 2:8-14 in The Bible, prompting [[Angelica Pickles|Angelica]] to scream "You blockhead! It's about the presents! Lots and lots of presents!", which the rest of the babies agree on.
+
*From 2002 through 2005, [[:Category:Nickelodeon|Nickelodeon]] ran [[Merry Nickmas (shorts)|a series of vignettes every Christmas]], one of them a parody of ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'' starring the characters from ''{{W|Rugrats}}''. Titled "[[Merry Nickmas (shorts)#A Chuckie Finster Christmas, Channukah, Kwaanza, Winter Solstice|A Chuckie Finster Christmas, Channukah, Kwaanza, Winter Solstice]]", the spot features [[Chuckie Finster|Chuckie]] taking the role of Charlie Brown and [[Tommy Pickles|Tommy]] taking the role of Linus later attempts Linus's recitation of Luke 2:8-14 in The Bible, prompting [[Angelica Pickles|Angelica]] to scream "You blockhead! It's about the presents! Lots and lots of presents!", which the rest of the babies agree on.
*In ''[[w:c:fairlyoddparents:The Fairly OddParents|The Fairly OddParents]]'' movie ''[[w:c:fairlyoddparents:Channel Chasers|Channel Chasers]]'', Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the world of the Christmas special that [[Timmy Turner|Timmy]], [[Cosmo and Wanda|Cosmo, and Wanda]] briefly visit.
+
*In ''{{W|The Fairly OddParents}}'' movie ''[[w:c:fairlyoddparents:Channel Chasers|Channel Chasers]]'', Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the world of the Christmas special that [[Timmy Turner|Timmy]], [[Cosmo and Wanda|Cosmo, and Wanda]] briefly visit.
*In the ''[[w:c:kimpossible:Kim Possible|Kim Possible]]'' episode "[[A Very Possible Christmas]]", as [[Ron Stoppable|Ron]] is foiling his plans, Dr. Drakken yells out "All I want is what's coming to me! All I want is my fair share!"
+
*In the ''{{W|Kim Possible}}'' episode "[[A Very Possible Christmas]]", after [[Ron Stoppable|Ron]] foils his plans, [[Dr. Drakken]] yells out "All I want is what's coming to me! All I want is my fair share!"
 
*''[[:Category:The Simpsons|The Simpsons]]'' made the following references to the special:
 
*''[[:Category:The Simpsons|The Simpsons]]'' made the following references to the special:
**"[[w:c:simpsons:Treehouse of Horror IV|Treehouse of Horror IV]]" ends with the cast yelling "Happy Halloween, everybody!" and begin humming "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same way the kids did at the end of this special (complete with snow and Santa's Little Helper dancing like Snoopy).
+
**"[[w:c:simpsons:Treehouse of Horror IV|Treehouse of Horror IV]]" ends with the cast humming "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same way the kids did at the end of this special (complete with snow and Santa's Little Helper dancing like Snoopy).
 
**Similarly, the Christmas episode "[['Tis the Fifteenth Season]]" ends with the cast singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same manner as the ending to ''A Charlie Brown Christmas''.
 
**Similarly, the Christmas episode "[['Tis the Fifteenth Season]]" ends with the cast singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same manner as the ending to ''A Charlie Brown Christmas''.
 
**A later Halloween episode, "[[w:c:simpsons:Treehouse of Horror IXX|Treehouse of Horror IXX]]", features a imitation of the dancing scene in the segment "It's the Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse!" (which itself is a parody of ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'').
 
**A later Halloween episode, "[[w:c:simpsons:Treehouse of Horror IXX|Treehouse of Horror IXX]]", features a imitation of the dancing scene in the segment "It's the Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse!" (which itself is a parody of ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'').
 
**The episode "[[w:c:simpsons:Donnie Fatso|Donnie Fatso]]", had Charlie Brown's Christmas tree make a cameo as [[w:c:simpsons:Nelson Muntz|Nelson Muntz]]'s Christmas tree in the opening sequence's couch gag.
 
**The episode "[[w:c:simpsons:Donnie Fatso|Donnie Fatso]]", had Charlie Brown's Christmas tree make a cameo as [[w:c:simpsons:Nelson Muntz|Nelson Muntz]]'s Christmas tree in the opening sequence's couch gag.
 
*The Internet cartoon ''{{w|Homestar Runner}}'' has made several references to the special, among other ''Peanuts'' references. ''A Holiday Greeting'', for instance, features {{w|Strong Bad}} trying to sing "[[O Holy Night]]" in an auditorium identical to the one seen in the special.
 
*The Internet cartoon ''{{w|Homestar Runner}}'' has made several references to the special, among other ''Peanuts'' references. ''A Holiday Greeting'', for instance, features {{w|Strong Bad}} trying to sing "[[O Holy Night]]" in an auditorium identical to the one seen in the special.
*The ''[[w:c:fhif:Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends|Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'' Christmas episode, "[[A Lost Claus]]", uses a jazz musical style in the soundtrack similar to this special. It also features a cameo appearance by Snoopy's decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.
+
*The ''{{W|Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends}}'' Christmas episode, "[[A Lost Claus]]", uses a jazz musical style in the soundtrack similar to this special. It also features a cameo appearance by Snoopy's decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.
 
*A deleted scene from ''[[Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas]]'' shows a young [[Daffy Duck]] trying unsuccessfully to hang an ornament on a Christmas tree resembling Charlie Brown's.
 
*A deleted scene from ''[[Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas]]'' shows a young [[Daffy Duck]] trying unsuccessfully to hang an ornament on a Christmas tree resembling Charlie Brown's.
*At the beginning of the ''[[w:c:americandad:American Dad!|American Dad!]]'' episode "[[The Most Adequate Christmas Ever]]", Haley states "I picked up all the Charlie Brown holiday specials, from the very first one where he learns the true meaning of Christmas to the one from the '80s where he meets the kid with AIDs." (The latter description is probably a reference to the 1990 ''Peanuts'' special ''{{w|Why, Charlie Brown, Why?}}'', which featured a character with leukemia and was partially set during Christmastime.)
+
*At the beginning of the ''{{W|American Dad!}}'' episode "[[The Most Adequate Christmas Ever]]", Haley states "I picked up all the Charlie Brown holiday specials, from the very first one where he learns the true meaning of Christmas to the one from the '80s where he meets the kid with AIDs." (The latter description is probably a reference to the 1990 ''Peanuts'' special ''{{w|Why, Charlie Brown, Why?}}'', which featured a character with leukemia and was partially set during Christmastime.)
 
*In the ''{{w|Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!}}'' episode "[[O' Figgity Fig Tree]]", there is a parody of the dance scene of the special. Also, in "[[A Great and Grumpy Holiday]]", Wubbzy goes past the tree from the special while looking for a tree to put in Wuzzleburg Square (and muttering "Oh, good grief" in response).
 
*In the ''{{w|Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!}}'' episode "[[O' Figgity Fig Tree]]", there is a parody of the dance scene of the special. Also, in "[[A Great and Grumpy Holiday]]", Wubbzy goes past the tree from the special while looking for a tree to put in Wuzzleburg Square (and muttering "Oh, good grief" in response).
 
*The end credits of ''[[Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!]]'' has a shot with [[Phineas Flynn|Phineas]], [[Ferb Fletcher|Ferb]], and their friends mimicking the dancing scene.
 
*The end credits of ''[[Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!]]'' has a shot with [[Phineas Flynn|Phineas]], [[Ferb Fletcher|Ferb]], and their friends mimicking the dancing scene.
 
*Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the background of [[Magee]]'s office in ''[[Prep & Landing]]'' and ''[[Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice]]''.
 
*Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the background of [[Magee]]'s office in ''[[Prep & Landing]]'' and ''[[Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice]]''.
*The title of ''{{w|The Cleveland Show}}'' episode "[[A Cleveland Brown Christmas]]" is a direct parody of this special's title.
 
 
*In the ''{{w|iCarly}}'' episode "[[iChristmas]]", Carly, Sam, Freddie and Spencer hum "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing", similar to the scene where the kids hum the song.
 
*In the ''{{w|iCarly}}'' episode "[[iChristmas]]", Carly, Sam, Freddie and Spencer hum "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing", similar to the scene where the kids hum the song.
 
*Charlie Brown's Christmas tree appears in the title card for the ''{{w|Fish Hooks}}'' episode "[[Merry Fishmas, Milo]]".
 
*Charlie Brown's Christmas tree appears in the title card for the ''{{w|Fish Hooks}}'' episode "[[Merry Fishmas, Milo]]".
Line 133: Line 144:
 
**At the beginning of "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Two Boys and a Baby|Two Boys and a Baby]]", [[Lincoln Loud|Lincoln]] does the same dance that "5" does.
 
**At the beginning of "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Two Boys and a Baby|Two Boys and a Baby]]", [[Lincoln Loud|Lincoln]] does the same dance that "5" does.
 
**In "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Snow Bored|Snow Bored]]", the shot of Lincoln crashing his sled into a tree mimics the title card shot.
 
**In "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Snow Bored|Snow Bored]]", the shot of Lincoln crashing his sled into a tree mimics the title card shot.
**In "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Homespun|Homespun]]", in a flashback where [[Lynn Sr. and Rita Loud|Mr. Loud]] tries to fix the TV antenna, a parody of the special's opening scene appears on the family's TV.
+
**In "[[w:c:theloudhouse:Homespun|Homespun]]", in a flashback where [[Lynn Sr. and Rita Loud|Lynn Loud Sr.]] tries to fix the TV antenna, a scene resembling Charlie Brown and Linus at the brick wall in the special's opening sequence appears on the family's TV.
 
* The ''RWBY Chibi'' episode "[[Nondescript Holiday Spectacular]]" would have Team JNPR attempt to parody this special, only to realize that they're at the tail end of a ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas!]]'' parody too late.
 
* The ''RWBY Chibi'' episode "[[Nondescript Holiday Spectacular]]" would have Team JNPR attempt to parody this special, only to realize that they're at the tail end of a ''[[How the Grinch Stole Christmas!]]'' parody too late.
   
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==Cast==
 
==Cast==
[[File:CB_Xmas_Makingof_Book.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the "Making of..." book (2005 edition).]]
+
[[File:CB Xmas Makingof Book.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the "Making of..." book (2005 edition).]]
{| class="wikitable"
+
{|class="wikitable"
! Voice actor !! Character
+
!Voice actor/actress!!Character(s)
 
|-
 
|-
| [[wikipedia:Peter Robbins (actor)|Peter Robbins]] || [[Charlie Brown]]
+
| {{w|Peter Robbins (actor)|Peter Robbins}} || [[Charlie Brown]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Tracy Stratford || [[Lucy van Pelt]]
 
| Tracy Stratford || [[Lucy van Pelt]]
Line 163: Line 174:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Kathy Steinberg || [[Sally Brown]]
 
| Kathy Steinberg || [[Sally Brown]]
|- valign="top"
+
|-valign="top"
| Chris Doran || [[Schroeder]]<br />[[Shermy]]
+
| Chris Doran || [[Schroeder]]<br>[[Shermy]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Ann Altieri || [[Frieda]]
 
| Ann Altieri || [[Frieda]]
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==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
  +
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery widths="200" spacing="small" position="center">
 
<gallery widths="200" spacing="small" position="center">
 
Song-ChristmastimeIsHere.jpg|The kids ice-skating at the start of the special.
 
Song-ChristmastimeIsHere.jpg|The kids ice-skating at the start of the special.
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03-charlie-brown-linus-snoopy.jpg|...and ends up grabbing Charlie Brown with it.
 
03-charlie-brown-linus-snoopy.jpg|...and ends up grabbing Charlie Brown with it.
 
Pig-pen's snowman.jpg|Pig-Pen making a snowman.
 
Pig-pen's snowman.jpg|Pig-Pen making a snowman.
  +
Snoopy reading the newspaper.jpg|Charlie Brown passes by Snoopy reading the newspaper.
 
Kids throw snowballs at can.jpg|The kids throwing snowballs at a can on the fence.
 
Kids throw snowballs at can.jpg|The kids throwing snowballs at a can on the fence.
 
Lucy's psychiatry booth.jpg|Lucy asks Charlie Brown to pay in advance for her advice.
 
Lucy's psychiatry booth.jpg|Lucy asks Charlie Brown to pay in advance for her advice.
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Charlie Brown giving instructions.jpg|Charlie Brown giving out his stage directions.
 
Charlie Brown giving instructions.jpg|Charlie Brown giving out his stage directions.
 
Snoopy doing his vulture impression.jpg|Snoopy does his impression of a vulture.
 
Snoopy doing his vulture impression.jpg|Snoopy does his impression of a vulture.
  +
Lucy_wants_an_aluminum_tree.jpg|"Get the biggest aluminum tree you can find, Charlie Brown! Maybe painted pink!"
 
Charlie and Linus arrive at the Christmas tree lot.jpg|Charlie Brown and Linus arrive at the Christmas tree lot.
 
Charlie and Linus arrive at the Christmas tree lot.jpg|Charlie Brown and Linus arrive at the Christmas tree lot.
 
Snoopy dancing to Schroeder's piano.jpg|Snoopy dances to Schroeder playing "Linus and Lucy".
 
Snoopy dancing to Schroeder's piano.jpg|Snoopy dances to Schroeder playing "Linus and Lucy".
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Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is about.jpg|"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!"
 
Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is about.jpg|"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!"
 
Linus finishing up his speech.jpg|Linus makes his speech.
 
Linus finishing up his speech.jpg|Linus makes his speech.
  +
charlie_brown_christmas_screenshot_0671.jpg|Outside, Charlie Brown reflects on Linus' quotation.
 
Charlie Brown puts the ornament on the tree.jpg|Charlie Brown puts an ornament on the tree...
 
Charlie Brown puts the ornament on the tree.jpg|Charlie Brown puts an ornament on the tree...
 
But it weighs the tree down.jpg|...but it weighs it down.
 
But it weighs the tree down.jpg|...but it weighs it down.
 
It just needs a little love.jpg|"Maybe it just needs a little love."
 
It just needs a little love.jpg|"Maybe it just needs a little love."
 
Charlie Brown sees the newly-decorated tree.jpg|Charlie Brown sees the newly-decorated tree.
 
Charlie Brown sees the newly-decorated tree.jpg|Charlie Brown sees the newly-decorated tree.
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
===Clips===
  +
<gallery widths="200" spacing="small" position="center">
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Opening|The Opening
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Clip|The Advise
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Snowflakes|Catching Snowflakes
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Scripts|Giving out Scripts
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Play|The Play
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Christmas Tree|Finding a Christmas Tree
  +
A Charlie Brown Christmas - True Meaning|The True Meaning of Christmas
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
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{{Comic Strips}}
 
{{Comic Strips}}
  +
{{WildBrain}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charlie Brown Christmas, A}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Charlie Brown Christmas, A}}
 
[[Category:Specials]]
 
[[Category:Specials]]
 
[[Category:Originally aired on CBS]]
 
[[Category:Originally aired on CBS]]
[[Category:Released in the 1960s]]
+
[[Category:1965 releases]]
 
[[Category:Based on comic strips]]
 
[[Category:Based on comic strips]]
 
[[Category:Award winners]]
 
[[Category:Award winners]]
[[Category:Warner Home Video]]
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Revision as of 03:51, 21 October 2019

Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right; of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.

— Linus' first line, said in response to Charlie Brown's holiday depression

A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first animated television special based on the popular newspaper comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, and also the first Christmas special for the franchise. It was produced and directed by former Warner Bros. and UPA animator Bill Melendez, who also supplied the voice of Snoopy. Originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, the special debuted on CBS in 1965, and has been aired during the Christmas season every year since (on CBS through 2000, and on ABC since 2001). The special has been honored with both an Emmy and a Peabody Award.

Synopsis

Cblinuswall

"I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy."

It is the Christmas season, but while the rest of the Peanuts gang is out ice skating, Charlie Brown is feeling depressed. He confides this fact to Linus, citing his dismay with the over-commercialization of Christmas and his inability to grasp what Christmas is all about, which Linus dismisses as Charlie Brown's typical behavior at first. Later, Charlie Brown goes to visit Lucy at her psychiatric booth, and she recommends that he direct the school's Christmas pageant in order to lift his spirits. On his way to the auditorium, Charlie Brown finds his dog Snoopy decorating his doghouse for a neighborhood lights and display contest, and is dismayed to see that his own dog has gone commercial. He then runs into his sister Sally, who asks him to write her letter to Santa Claus. When she tells him to put in a request for money ("tens and twenties"), Charlie Brown becomes even more dismayed.

Cbdance

The kids dancing to "Christmas is Coming" and "Linus and Lucy".

Charlie Brown arrives at the rehearsals, but try as he might, he cannot seem to get control of the situation, as the uncooperative kids are more interested in modernizing the play with dancing and lively music, particularly Schroeder's rendition of "Linus and Lucy." Charlie Brown, on the other hand, is determined not to let the play become commercial and to focus on the traditional side of the story.

Front-charliebrown

Charlie Brown and Linus at the Christmas tree lot.

Thinking the play requires "the proper mood", Charlie Brown decides they need a Christmas tree, so Lucy dispatches Charlie Brown to go get a "big, shiny aluminum tree". Accompanied by Linus, Charlie Brown heads off to the Christmas tree lot and finds a small baby tree which is the only real tree on the lot. Linus is not sure about Charlie Brown's choice, but Charlie Brown is convinced that after decorating it, it will be just right for the play.

When they return to the school auditorium with the tree, everybody, especially Snoopy, laughs at Charlie Brown about his choice. Second guessing himself, Charlie Brown begins to wonder if he really knows what Christmas is all about, loudly asking if anyone can tell him what Christmas is all about, to which Linus eloquently responds by quoting the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, verses 8 through 14 from the Authorized King James Version:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 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 you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David: a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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.

PeanutsGroupXmas

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

Charlie Brown now realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin his Christmas. With a newly found sense of inspiration, he quietly heads home with the tree, deciding to decorate it and show the others it will work in the play. He arrives home to find that Snoopy's doghouse has won first prize in the decorating contest. But when he places a shiny red ornament from the doghouse onto his tree, the whole thing bends over, and Charlie Brown is shocked that he has killed it and says that everything he touches gets ruined. However, the rest of the gang comes to fix his tree with Linus wrapping his blanket around the tree and everyone else placing the remaining decorations from Snoopy's doghouse to the tree, much to Charlie Brown's surprise, and then singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" along with him.

Production and reception

CharlieBrownChristmas MakingOf Book

The cover to the "Making of..." book, published in 2000.

Bringing the Peanuts characters to television was not an easy task. The production was done on a low budget, resulting in a somewhat choppy animation style and, from a technical standpoint, poorly mixed sound. With the exception of the actors who voiced Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins), Linus (Christopher Shea), and Lucy (Tracy Stratford), none of the children had any experience doing voice work.

CBS' network executives were not at all keen on several aspects of the show, forcing Schulz and Melendez to wage some serious battles to preserve their vision. Among them, the executives had problems with the scene with Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke, because they assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the King James Version of the Bible. However, Charles Schulz insisted on keeping this scene in, remarking, "If we don't tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?" (It could also be worth noting that Linus's recitation was incorporated in such a way that it forms the climax of the special, thus making it impossible to successfully edit out.) The executives also disliked the absence of a laugh track, the use of children doing the voice acting, and the jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi (which they thought would not work well for a children's program). When executives saw the final product, they were horrified and believed the special would be a complete flop. CBS programmers were equally pessimistic, informing the production team, "We will, of course, air it next week, but I'm afraid we won't be ordering any more." Mendelson and Melendez said to themselves, "We've just ruined Charlie Brown."

To the surprise of both the producers and the executives, the premiere of A Charlie Brown Christmas was the second-highest rated program of the week, reaching well over 15 million homes. Second only to Bonanza, the special was watched by more people watched that week than Lucille Ball, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Beverly Hillbillies.[1]

In the following years, A Charlie Brown Christmas reached an even larger audience. Two airings of the special appear on the "All-Time Top 10 Christmas Ratings" list -- 1967, which got a 34.3, and 1969, which got a 34.8 rating. The only other shows rated higher than the 1969 Charlie Brown Christmas are the annual Bob Hope Christmas Specials, a popular tradition in the late 60s and early 70s.[1]

Broadcast history and availability

CBS held broadcast rights to the special from 1965 until 2000. Afterwards, ABC took over broadcast rights to this and other Peanuts animated holiday specials (including the traditional Halloween special, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown) in 2001.

To allow the full special to play, ABC's broadcasts of the special usually run for an hour-length slot, with Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales, which premiered in 2002, filling out the rest of the hour. Prior to the later special being made, the ABC broadcasts in 2001 instead had a "making of" documentary accompanying the original special. The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas, curiously, has not accompanied the original special on any video release, instead appearing as a bonus feature on Paramount's DVD release of I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown.

The 2015 broadcast, in honor of the special's 50th anniversary, was preceded by a retrospective special titled It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown, hosted by Kristen Bell. The documentary featured performances of various Peanuts songs by David Benoit, Sarah McLaughlan, Matthew Morrison, Boyz II Men, Kristen Chenoweth (who had played Sally in the 1999 Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and provided the vocal effects of Fifi in The Peanuts Movie), Pentatonix, and the All-American Boys Chorus. It also included interviews with the cast and crew members (including one with Stacy Ferguson, who voiced Sally in 1984 and 1985) and montages of clips from later Peanuts cartoons (originally used in the 1990 anniversary special You Don't Look 40, Charlie Brown).

Home video releases

The special was first released to home video by Hi-Top Video in 1984. It was released on VHS again in 1990, this time being sold exclusively at Shell gas stations.

The special was released on VHS once again when Paramount Home Video acquired the video rights to the Peanuts cartoons in 1994. Paramount reissued the tape two years later, this time in a plastic case. At the same time, they also released it to Laserdisc; this release also included the non-holiday Peanuts special You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown. Paramount later released the special on DVD in 2000, where it was accompanied by It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown. This DVD was also sold in a box set alongside Paramount's DVD releases of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Following Warner Home Video's acquisition of the video rights to the Peanuts specials, a "Remastered Deluxe Edition" DVD was released on September 23, 2008, again with It's Christmastime Again as a bonus special, but also with a new behind-the-scenes featurette. Like Paramount, Warner Home Video also included the DVD in a box set with their own DVDs of the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials. A year later, Warner released a Blu-ray of the special, containing the same content as the DVD. Warner Home Video also included the special in the 2-disc Peanuts 1960s Collection DVD set, released on July 7, 2009. The special was released on DVD again, this time with a "50th Anniversary Edition" label, on December 2, 2014 (a full year before the special's actual 50th anniversary). An Ultra HD Blu-ray version was made available as part of a box set with the Halloween and Thanksgiving specials on October 10, 2017, and then released individually on October 24th; this release included the contents of Warner's previous releases and also added in a third special, It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown. The following year, a new "Special Edition" Blu-ray release (of the non-Ultra HD variety), containing the contents from the Ultra HD release, was made available exclusively at Target stores. This Blu-ray became available at general retailers on September 10, 2019.

Outside of physical media, Warner also made the special available as an Apple TV and PlayStation Network digital download, again accompanied by It's Christmastime Again and It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown.

Edits

A Charlie Brown Christmas CocaCola

The special was originally sponsored by Coca-Cola, as seen in this shot that was cut from later broadcasts and video releases.

The special has not been shown in its full original form since the 1960s, due to having to cut out plugs for the special's original sponsor, Coca-Cola. In the original airing, immediately following Charlie Brown crashing into the tree during the opening sequence, Snoopy then tosses Linus at a sign that says "Brought to you by the people in your town who bottle Coca-Cola" (an alternate take, in which the sign instead says "DANGER", was made and used in early promos advertising the special, but it is unknown what happened to this version[2]), and the end credits used to close with a subtitle reading "Merry Christmas from your local Coca-Cola bottler." In addition to the Coca-Cola sponsor tags being removed, several other edits were made to the special that have remained in all subsequent broadcasts and releases:

  • Some background music and sound effects that were previously missing were added in. Some shots were also slightly extended for better timing (such as Lucy noticing Snoopy mocking her, and Charlie Brown's reaction to the decorated tree).
  • Snoopy decorating his doghouse was originally accompanied by the instrumental to "Christmas Time is Here"; in the revised version, it was replaced by the "Surfin' Snoopy" music (originally used in Charlie Brown's All-Stars), and more sounds were added in for Snoopy putting up his decorations. Also, in the original version, Charlie Brown reading the flier for the decorating contest did not include the phrase "Spectacular super-colossal neighborhood Christmas lights-and-display contest," resulting in him awkwardly pausing for a few seconds before giving his reaction. For the revised version, new dialogue of him reading the full flier text was spliced in (including a new recording of his reaction to the contest).
  • When the kids applaud for Charlie Brown when he arrives at the auditorium, Snoopy's howling is longer and more high pitched in the revised version.
  • In the original version, the camera was not zoomed in on Lucy's hand showing her "five good reasons" when ordering Linus to memorize his script.
  • The iconic shot of the kids dancing to "Linus and Lucy" was repeated two more times in the original version. For the revised version, the third occurrence (when Charlie Brown tells Schroeder to "set the mood for the first scene") was replaced with a new close-up shot of Schroeder playing his piano, while the fourth occurrence (after Charlie Brown calls, "Places! Action!") was replaced with some new animation of the kids dancing to the music.
  • In the original version, the camera was zoomed out too far during the shot of Frieda complaining about having to work with Pig-pen, and again in the shot of Charlie Brown picking up the megaphone.
  • When Snoopy shows off his "lunch break" tricks, it was accompanied by a different set of sound effects, and his dinner bowl was white instead of red.
  • An animation error where Charlie Brown's nose disappeared (during Lucy asking, "Look, Charlie Brown, what do you want?") was fixed.
  • Linus tapping his fist against one of the aluminum trees was a gag added in the revised version.
  • When Charlie Brown and Linus find the small baby tree, Linus' remark ("Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?") was made onscreen in the revised version.
  • The last shot of Linus' bible quotation was reanimated and slightly extended, though oddly creating a continuity error in that he is holding his blanket in the shot, right before picking it up off the ground in the very next shot.
  • In the revised version, a commercial fade-out was placed right before the scene of Charlie Brown finding out that Snoopy's doghouse won first prize in the decorating contest (in the original version, there was simply a cut to that scene from the previous one). Also, Charlie Brown's reaction to seeing the first-place ribbon was reanimated.
  • A brief pause when the kids decorate the tree was removed.
  • When the kids show Charlie Brown the decorated tree and begin to sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" at the end, Snoopy appears to be moving his mouth to the words along with them and Charlie Brown's face turns red (as if he's blushing) right before he joins in the song. Both of these oddities were fixed in the revised cut.

From the 1970s through 1996, subsequent broadcasts cut out the scene where Patty and Linus catch snowflakes on their tongues, and then Lucy, Schroeder, Charlie Brown and Linus throw snowballs at a tin can on a fence. This scene was reinstated in the 1990 VHS release (and all subsequent video releases) and later returned to the televised broadcasts in 1997.

In 2009 and 2011, ABC aired a shortened version of A Charlie Brown Christmas alongside the premieres of the Prep & Landing specials, with the unedited version (and Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales) airing a week later. In addition to again removing the above-mentioned scene with the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues and throwing snowballs at the can, these particular broadcasts also had the following scenes cut:

  • Charlie Brown passing by Pig-Pen building a snowman and Snoopy eating a stack of bones while reading a newspaper on top of his doghouse.
  • Sally asking Charlie Brown to help her write a letter to Santa Claus.
  • Shermy's only line after being informed by Lucy that he will be playing a shepherd.
  • Lucy asking Schroeder to play a simple version of "Jingle Bells", only to hear him play three versions of it (conventional piano, Hammond organ, and toy piano on one finger).

Songs

CBXmasAlbum

The cover to the soundtrack album.

A Charlie Brown Christmas features original music written by Vince Guaraldi, and performed by his jazz trio.

A soundtrack album of the special's musical score was released in 1965 by Fantasy Records, which was a well-known jazz label, and Guaraldi's home label at the time. The album became an instant classic, and remains available to this day. A single of "Christmas Time is Here", backed with "What Child is This", was also released.

In addition to the score album, in 1977 Charlie Brown Records (distributed by Disneyland/Buena Vista Records) released a book and record set, with a catalogue number of 3701, containing an LP of the special's entire soundtrack (with some very minor cuts), including songs, dialogue, and sound effects. It also included a 12-page booklet with pictures from the special. Charlie Brown Records also released a condensed version of the special's story on a 7" 33 1/3 RPM book and record set, with a catalogue number of 401.

Parts of the special's score - specifically, "Christmas Time is Here", "Christmas is Coming", and "Skating" - were rearranged by Christophe Beck for the score to The Peanuts Movie in 2015. The original "Christmas Time is Here" song and the original "Skating" music piece also appear on the movie's soundtrack.

Trivia

  • Aluminum Christmas trees, like the kind Lucy recommends Charlie Brown getting, were a real-life holiday decoration that were popular at the time this special aired, though they were artificial trees with metallic needles rather than the hollow metal cones in the tree lot that Charlie Brown and Linus visit. They became a lot less popular after the advent of this special, to the point that younger viewers would likely think they were something made up for the story (to the point that TV Tropes' page about this trope is named after the line). Artificial trees nowadays are made to look closer to real trees, with only the "trunks" being made of any kind of metal.
  • Christopher Shea, who voiced Linus, would star in the first Christmas episode of That Girl, "Christmas And The Hard Luck Kid", broadcast a year later.
  • In a real-life version of life imitating art, because of budget cuts, the city of Concord, California had a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" for the 2009 holiday season in the city's Todos Santos Plaza.[3]

References in other media

  • A Charlie Brown-like Christmas tree makes an appearance on the set of the Joker's TV special in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Christmas With the Joker".
  • During the song at the end of the Tiny Toon Adventures episode "It's a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special", the line "If your Christmas tree's pathetic" is illustrated by a shot of Buster and Babs, drawn to look like Charlie Brown and Lucy, coming upon a tree like the one in the special, which then crumbles.
  • In the Futurama episode "Xmas Story", a group of kids appear skating similar to the opening scene, right before Bender, having just fallen off a cliff, crashes through the ice and causes them to fall into the water.
  • In two of the segments produced for A Very Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Holiday Special, characters from Dexter's Laboratory, Cow and Chicken, Johnny Bravo, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog are shown mimicking the dancing scene and the closing scene.
  • At the end of "A Johnny Bravo Christmas", Johnny and some of his party guests are shown mimicking the Peanuts gang's dancing moves.
  • The FoxTrot strip published on December 20, 2001, has Peter watching the special on TV as an excuse to not do his homework. Andy makes him go do his homework anyway, though, because they have the special on videotape.
    • The Sunday strip published on December 17, 2006, has Roger trying to find a Christmas tree, but all the ones at the lot are already sold. He then sees a little tree that hasn't been sold. The last panel shows him screaming in despair when he finds Linus and Charlie Brown walking away with the tree (which looks just like the one from the special).
  • From 2002 through 2005, Nickelodeon ran a series of vignettes every Christmas, one of them a parody of A Charlie Brown Christmas starring the characters from Rugrats. Titled "A Chuckie Finster Christmas, Channukah, Kwaanza, Winter Solstice", the spot features Chuckie taking the role of Charlie Brown and Tommy taking the role of Linus later attempts Linus's recitation of Luke 2:8-14 in The Bible, prompting Angelica to scream "You blockhead! It's about the presents! Lots and lots of presents!", which the rest of the babies agree on.
  • In The Fairly OddParents movie Channel Chasers, Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the world of the Christmas special that Timmy, Cosmo, and Wanda briefly visit.
  • In the Kim Possible episode "A Very Possible Christmas", after Ron foils his plans, Dr. Drakken yells out "All I want is what's coming to me! All I want is my fair share!"
  • The Simpsons made the following references to the special:
    • "Treehouse of Horror IV" ends with the cast humming "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same way the kids did at the end of this special (complete with snow and Santa's Little Helper dancing like Snoopy).
    • Similarly, the Christmas episode "'Tis the Fifteenth Season" ends with the cast singing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the same manner as the ending to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
    • A later Halloween episode, "Treehouse of Horror IXX", features a imitation of the dancing scene in the segment "It's the Grand Pumpkin, Milhouse!" (which itself is a parody of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown).
    • The episode "Donnie Fatso", had Charlie Brown's Christmas tree make a cameo as Nelson Muntz's Christmas tree in the opening sequence's couch gag.
  • The Internet cartoon Homestar Runner has made several references to the special, among other Peanuts references. A Holiday Greeting, for instance, features Strong Bad trying to sing "O Holy Night" in an auditorium identical to the one seen in the special.
  • The Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Christmas episode, "A Lost Claus", uses a jazz musical style in the soundtrack similar to this special. It also features a cameo appearance by Snoopy's decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.
  • A deleted scene from Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas shows a young Daffy Duck trying unsuccessfully to hang an ornament on a Christmas tree resembling Charlie Brown's.
  • At the beginning of the American Dad! episode "The Most Adequate Christmas Ever", Haley states "I picked up all the Charlie Brown holiday specials, from the very first one where he learns the true meaning of Christmas to the one from the '80s where he meets the kid with AIDs." (The latter description is probably a reference to the 1990 Peanuts special Why, Charlie Brown, Why?, which featured a character with leukemia and was partially set during Christmastime.)
  • In the Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! episode "O' Figgity Fig Tree", there is a parody of the dance scene of the special. Also, in "A Great and Grumpy Holiday", Wubbzy goes past the tree from the special while looking for a tree to put in Wuzzleburg Square (and muttering "Oh, good grief" in response).
  • The end credits of Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation! has a shot with Phineas, Ferb, and their friends mimicking the dancing scene.
  • Charlie Brown's Christmas tree can be seen in the background of Magee's office in Prep & Landing and Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.
  • In the iCarly episode "iChristmas", Carly, Sam, Freddie and Spencer hum "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing", similar to the scene where the kids hum the song.
  • Charlie Brown's Christmas tree appears in the title card for the Fish Hooks episode "Merry Fishmas, Milo".
  • In the Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil episode "Poll Position", the scene with Gunther's speech about how class elections work is done similar to the scene with Linus' speech.
  • The House, M.D. episode "Deception" ends with a recording of the song "Christmas Time is Here" from the special, even though it has very little to do with Christmas.
  • The Johnny Test episode "Good Ol' Johnny Test" was a direct parody of the special.
  • The Loud House, which has referenced Peanuts several times, has naturally made specific references to this special:
    • At the beginning of "Two Boys and a Baby", Lincoln does the same dance that "5" does.
    • In "Snow Bored", the shot of Lincoln crashing his sled into a tree mimics the title card shot.
    • In "Homespun", in a flashback where Lynn Loud Sr. tries to fix the TV antenna, a scene resembling Charlie Brown and Linus at the brick wall in the special's opening sequence appears on the family's TV.
  • The RWBY Chibi episode "Nondescript Holiday Spectacular" would have Team JNPR attempt to parody this special, only to realize that they're at the tail end of a How the Grinch Stole Christmas! parody too late.

Cast

CB Xmas Makingof Book

The cover to the "Making of..." book (2005 edition).

Voice actor/actress Character(s)
Peter Robbins Charlie Brown
Tracy Stratford Lucy van Pelt
Christopher Shea Linus van Pelt
Bill Melendez Snoopy
Kathy Steinberg Sally Brown
Chris Doran Schroeder
Shermy
Ann Altieri Frieda
Sally Dryer Violet Gray
Karen Mendelson Patty
Geoffrey Ornstein Pig-Pen

Note: 3, 4, and 5 appear, but do not have speaking roles.

Gallery

Screenshots

Clips

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition, by Lee Mendelson with reminiscences by Bill Melendez. 2000, HarperCollins Publishers Inc. The book's information is quoting an Advertising Age top ten list from January 10, 1966. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "makingof" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Platypus Comix: Rarest Moments From Your Favorite Shows
  3. City Opts for "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree", KTVU.com, December 4, 2009; retrieved December 13, 2009

See also

External links

Christmas Specials Based on Comic Strips
Peanuts A Charlie Brown Christmas • "The Play" • It's Christmastime Again, Charlie BrownCharlie Brown's Christmas TalesI Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown • "Dear Santa Claus" • "Christmas is on Its Way" • "Christmas is Coming" • It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown • "Happiness is the Gift of Giving" • "Happiness Is Holiday Traditions"
Garfield A Garfield Christmas Special • "Heatwave Holiday" • "Caroling Capers" • "Home for the Holidays"
Popeye Seasin's Greetinks!Mister and Mistletoe • "Spinach Greetings"
Dennis the Menace "The Christmas Story" • "The Christmas Horse" • "The Fifteen-Foot Christmas Tree" • A Dennis the Menace Christmas
Other comic strips PalsThe Captain's Christmas • "Hazel's Christmas Shopping" • "A Christmas Tale" • "Krazy's Krismas" • "It's Better To Give" • "Just 86 Shopping Minutes Till Christmas" • "Christmas with the Addams Family" (1965) • Rupert and the Christmas ToffeeThe Monica's Gang's ChristmasA Family Circus ChristmasB.C.: A Special ChristmasZiggy's GiftThe Bestest Present • "North Pole Cat" • A Wish For Wings That WorkRupert and Billy Blizzard • "Peace on Earth" • A Christmas Angel • "Christmas for All of Us" • Rupert and the Missing SnowLittle Orphan Annie's A Very Animated Christmas • "Rupert's Christmas Adventure" • "The Night Before Christmas" • "Oh Christmas Tree" (Little Lulu) • "Santa's Snowman" • "Christmas with the Addams Family" (1998) • "Oh Christmas Tree" (Fly Tales) • "A Baby Blues Christmas Special" • "A Glacial Christmas" • "Eternal Christmas" • "The Strange Christmas of Mr. Paddle" • "A Huey Freeman Christmas" • "All I Want for X-Mas" • "Rupert Saves Christmas" • "The Christmas Tree" • "Pretty Christmas Night" • "The Twelve Rings of Christmas Bells" • "Christmas Eve" • "Bug-A-Booo in: A Different Christmas" • The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales...
WildBrain
WildBrain Spark "Christmas Tree" • "Twinkle's Wish" • A Holly Johnny Christmas • "Christmas" (Yo Gabba Gabba!) • "A Very Awesome Christmas" • Yo Gabba Gabba!: A Very Awesome Live Holiday Show! • "SheZon's Greetings" • Dorg and the Christmas Fairy • "Johnny's Holiday Light Fight" • "Christmas at Malory Towers"
Studio B Productions Snowden: Raggedy Ann & Andy's Adventure • "Joy to Yvon" • "Snow Biz" • The Legend of Frosty the SnowmanTis the Season for RevengeSecret Santa • "Jungle Bells" / "Goat of Christmas Presents" • "Sleighs of Hazard" • "Jingle Cans" • The Side Show Christmas • "Kid vs. Kat vs. Christmas" • "Fangs for the Memories" • "Hearth's Warming Eve" • "I Heard the Barks on Christmas Day" • "Christmas Evil" • "Hearthbreakers" • "Charles Dickens" • "A Hearth's Warming Tail" • "Robert Edwin Peary" • "The Hearth's Warming Club" • My Little Pony: Best Gift EverMy Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Holidays Unwrapped
CINAR / Cookie Jar Entertainment "The Dogs' Christmas" • Madeline's Christmas • "The Real Story of O Christmas Tree" • "Thomas' Snowsuit" • "50 Below Zero" • "A Gift of Munsch" • "The Night Before Christmas" • "The Perfect Christmas" • "The Best Christmas Present Ever" • "Abe and Babe's Christmas Lesson" • "Sally Cat's Christmas Dream" • "The Big Apple Christmas Caper" • "Santa Needs Help" • "All I Want for Christmouse" • "Christmas Star" • "Snowmobile to Panic" • Arthur's Perfect Christmas • "Caillou's Christmas" • Caillou's Holiday MovieGotta Catch Santa ClausThe Velveteen Rabbit • "A Holly Johnny Christmas" • "That's Swellaphant!" • "Caillou’s Perfect Christmas"
DiC Entertainment "Christmas Memories" • "North Pole Cat" • "Xmas Marks the Spot" • "There's No Such Thing as Stego-Claws" • "The Year Scroogenip Swiped Christmas" • "Koopa Klaus" • "Santa Claus is Coming to Flatbush" • "Merry Christmas, Mr. Carroll" • "Christmas in July" • "The Night Before Cave Christmas" • A Christmas Adventure • "Merry Christmas, Super Dave!" • Inspector Gadget Saves ChristmasA Hollywood Hounds Christmas • "Do Not Reboot 'Til Christmas" • "Kilo Is Coming to Town" • "It's a Gorganus Life" • "Madeline at the North Pole" • "Just Like Old Times" • Twas the Night Before BumpyJingle Bell RockSonic Christmas BlastThe Adventures of SnowdenA Christmas Carol • "Holiday on Ice" • "A Gadget Boy Christmas Around the World" • "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" • "Witchmas Carole" • "The Christmas Phantom" • "Across the Delaware" • "Berry Merry Christmas" • "Santa Claw" • "The Claw Who Stole Christmas"
Ragdoll Productions "Magical Lights" • "Christmas Tree" • "Making Christmas Cards" • "Crackers" • "Christmas Carols" • "The Perfect Tree"
Decode Entertainment "Santa Sword is Coming to Town" • "Secret Santa" • "Last Day of Christmas" • "A Very Sadie Christmas" • "His Master's Choice" • "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" • "The Nutcracker" • "The Happy Holidays Issue" • "How to Make a Christmas Miracle" • "Lobster Claus is Coming to Town"
Halifax Films "Bob's Broken Sleigh" • "A Wish World Christmas"
Iconix Brand Group A Charlie Brown Christmas • "The Play" • It's Christmastime Again, Charlie BrownCharlie Brown's Christmas Tales • "Berry Merry Christmas" • I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown • "Dear Santa Claus" • "Happy First Frost" • "Christmas is Coming" • "Christmas is on Its Way" • "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" • "Berry Merry Melody" • "Lemon's Name in Lights" • "Happiness is the Gift of Giving" • "Mission Unfrostable" • "Happiness Is Holiday Traditions"
FilmFair "Paddington's Christmas" • "Paddington and the Christmas Shopping" • "Christmas in Fabuland" • "Huxley Pig's Cinderella"
Nerd Corps Entertainment "A Christmas Wish" • "Monster Machine Christmas" • Lego Friends: Holiday Special • "Happy Sniffmas" • "A Blazing Amazing Christmas"