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 | christmas | meaning of christmas | commercialism | ice skating | 

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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:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

A version with a laugh track was produced but later discarded after the success of the broadcast version.

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Goofs

Near the end, as the gang gathers around the tree and Lucy says that "Charlie Brown is a block head, but he did get a nice tree" the children all change positions around the tree in the next shot.

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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

For some reason there is one scene after the 'tasting of the snowflakes' that has been cut out of all subsequent CBS airings but is retained for the home video release. The scene shows Linus using his blanket as a whip to knock a soup can off of a fence. Lucy then turns to him and says, "You think you're so smart with that blanket! What're you gonna do with it when you grow up?". "Maybe, I'll make it into a sports coat!" Linus replies.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Jomer (1997)

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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

Touching

This is the beloved classic! This is the tender, caring Charlie Brown Christmas that keeps the family warm holiday season after holiday season! What is Christmas about? Why is everything becoming so commercial? These questions were asked back in 1965, and the answers hit the nail right on the head. Today, the meaning is just that much more impactful because, frankly, today is even more commercial and soulless than 1965.

The writing is typical Peanuts wry, and is well-placed by the children actor's voices. Having children do children voices is actually kind of rare, but this shows it shouldn't be: they do really well and it's touching to hear them.

The animation itself is starting to get a bit dated and is a little slow/jerky, but considering the belovedness of this classic... people are either going to get offended at the mention of that fact or will claim that it doesn't matter. So there you go. It's enjoyable anyways.

And, of course, Snoopy rules.

--PolarisDiB

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Feliz Natal, Charlie Brown

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