Christmas Time is here...
The Story:
Straight from the comic pages of the newspaper, the Peanuts gang came to television in their first (and best) animated special in 1965.
Nearly 50 years later, is it a dated relic or a timeless piece of holiday awesomeness?
I think you already know the answer to this one.
:)
Aside from being a variety of Charles Schulz's strips strung together, there is an overarching storyline that has Charlie Brown looking for some acceptance during the holiday season. Naturally, his arch-nemesis Lucy will use him by roping him into being the director of the Christmas play.
Naturally, in true Charlie Brown fashion, he makes a mistake, is ridiculed for it, and feels mortified.
Thankfully, the gang all realizes that maybe Charlie Brown was on to something, especially after Linus' stirring rendition of what Christmas is really all about.
Maybe at the end of the day, they all learned a little something?
Hmm... watching the other specials... apparently not. ;)
Plus, for those that feel that Christmas is too commercial, starts earlier every year, etc. etc... Schulz said it first back in the 60s, so it's nothing new.
Also central to the story, the remarkable Vince Guaraldi who composed some stellar Christmas tunes to score the special. Many of those are ingrained in our consciousness, so you accept the jazzy score as part of Christmas.
It's also nice that several of the selections get airplay on the radio this time of year, that's how good the songs were.
It's not Christmas time without this one.
Final Grade: A+
Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: It gets watched at least once a year, and yes, I do own it.
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