"A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a holiday mainstay

The holiday season is here and with it brings colorful lights, rich foods, wrapped presents, and, of course, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” More than 50 years after its premiere, the show holds a special place in popular culture and the public’s imagination.

The show’s premise is explained on ABC’s website: “Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and 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, Charlie Brown needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.”

Google turned up this cool montage! 

The network aired the program not once, but twice in recent weeks. Although you don’t need a TV to watch the Peanuts gang and their yuletide adventures – the show can be seen it in its entirety on the network’s website. The special is also posted to YouTube, as are several clips. The show is an annual ratings success, often beating out newer established shows in the same time slot.
 
I was reminded of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” a few years ago when I helped a friend sort through his storage unit. I was excited when I came across a DVD of the program even though I hadn’t seen it in years. I found my reaction interesting, and I was inspired to watch it again so I could figure out why the special continues to endure year after year and from one generation to the next. Here are my thoughts after a viewing:

- Characters: The audience can identify with the program as a variety of personality types are presented. We see ourselves, or parts of ourselves, in each of the children. Charlie Brown, the main character, is insecure and worrisome. Schroeder, a member of the “Peanuts” gang, is artistic and brooding. There’s also the humor and playfulness of Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy. (Unfortunately, my favorite character, Snoopy’s feathered sidekick, Woodstock, doesn’t appear in the specials until years later.) 

The little tree that could!

- Themes: The show is relatable to both grown ups and kids as it contrasts the innocence and carefree nature of childhood with the responsibility and cynicism of the adult world. Charlie Brown, for instance, is depressed that Christmas has become overly commercial. Meanwhile, his sister, Sally, asks that Santa bring her money. (“Tens and twenties,” she requests.) Also, Charlie Brown assumes the task of directing a Christmas play. When he arrives at the first rehearsal, the other children ignore his suggestions and dance with abandon.

CB gets by with a little help from his friends!

- Production: The animation is simple and the sound is off – and this is positive. I believe overproduction can actually be a detriment and make movies, TV, and other media less enjoyable. The somewhat nonprofessional look and feel of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – the result of a limited budget and short production schedule – makes the program more authentic and sincere. It helps convey the show’s message that the holidays are about tradition and being with the ones you care about, rather than, as Charlie Brown suggests, materialism.

The Peanuts gang rock out!

- Music: The soundtrack is fantastic – light, playful, fun. The great Vince Guaraldi composed the jazz piano tunes. One of the tracks is “Linus and Lucy” – there’s something so infectious about the ditty that it's become the unofficial Peanuts theme song. I’ve found that even if people can’t name the number, they can hum it. (“Da da da da da da da - da da daaaaa...”) My love of jazz may very well have started with this and other Charlie Brown specials when I was a kid.

The music is jazzeriffic! 

These factors, in combination, make “A Charlie Brown Christmas” stand out and have given it staying power. It's ironic that it took a trip to a dark dusty storage unit for me to rediscover this bright lively gem. ​