A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.

Director:

Bill Melendez

Writer:

Charles M. Schulz

Stars:

Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Ann Altieri	...	Frieda (voice) (uncredited)
Chris Doran	...	Schroeder / Shermy (voice) (uncredited)
Sally Dryer	...	Violet (voice) (uncredited)
Bill Melendez	...	Snoopy (voice) (uncredited)
Karen Mendelson	...	Patty (voice) (uncredited)
Geoffrey Ornstein	...	Pig-Pen (voice) (uncredited)
Peter Robbins	...	Charlie Brown (voice) (uncredited)
Christopher Shea	...	Linus Van Pelt (voice) (uncredited)
Cathy Steinberg	...	Sally Brown (voice) (uncredited)
Tracy Stratford	...	Lucy Van Pelt (voice) (uncredited)

Storyline

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas paegent. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas tree | holiday in title | christmas in title | christmas | meaning of christmas | 

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Taglines:

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown! (2008 DVD re-release)

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

None of the children who voiced the characters received credit at the end.

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Goofs

During the final scene, the gang is singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Shermy, the boy in the yellow on the right side of the screen, disappears after the gang greets Charlie Brown. In Shermy's place is the boy in a blue coat who is still on the right side of the screen. So Shermy disappears and out comes a clone of the blue boy.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Charlie Brown: [Charlie Brown and Linus stop at a wall on their trip to the pond for ice skating] I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel.
[begins to walk with Linus again]
Charlie Brown: I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.
Linus Van Pelt: Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know ...

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Alternate Versions

After the special's first airing in December 9, 1965, it was revised with several instances of new and overhauled animation (most famously the entire final shot with end credits was redone; Snoopy was shown to be singing in the original version, while in the revised he does not), different music placement (some scenes originally played in silence), as well as slight picture and sound editing to fix some awkwardly paced scenes. The revised version has been used as the base for all subsequent broadcasts and home video releases. A 16mm print of the original 1965 version resurfaced in 2018, and extensive comparisons between the original 1965 and the revised version can be found on YouTube and Vimeo in videos by 'Maxine C.'. Its worth noting that this print of the original 1965 version also contained the above-mentioned Coca Cola footage.

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Connections

Spoofed in South Park: Asspen (2002)

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Soundtracks

Christmas Time Is Here
(uncredited)
Music by Vince Guaraldi
Lyrics by Lee Mendelson
Performed by the The Vince Guaraldi Trio and members of the choir of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, San Rafael, California

User Reviews

A true Classic

This movie is a true Christmas Classic. I can not think of a Christmas passing without at least once watching this film. It is one of the few Christmas Specials that actually tells what the true meaning of Christmas is. I love the animation. I am sure it is primitive compared to 2003 standards, but who cares.I can watch this over and over again.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Bill Melendez Productions, United Feature Syndicate (UFS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (DTS-HD Master Audio) Mono (Westrex Recording System) Dolby Digital (Mono)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3