ironhorse_iv
Of course, hiring children who could barely read, due to a lisp to provide the voices for these characters and employing mediocre animators known for their choppy animation, might doom a project like this, but surprising, this special wasn't half bad. It was mostly fine, but no way, near the masterpiece, people think, it is. Based on the comic strip, 'Peanuts' by Charles M. Schulz, this special tells the story of Linus Van Pelt (Voiced by Chris Shea), the best friend of Charlie Brown (Voiced by Peter Robbins) as he tries to stick to his beliefs on Halloween, no matter what others may think of him. Without spoiling the TV movie, too much, while Schulz usually avoided outright politics in his comics, he often enjoyed incorporating religious references in many of his comics and animated cartoons as he love to see what people think about it. A various religious interpretations of Linus' sincere belief in the Great Pumpkin has come out since this animated special. Some people see it as a symbol of strong faith; showing the struggles faced by anyone with beliefs or practices that are not shared by the majority. While others see it, a symbol of foolish nonsense in a world of racial thought. No matter what people see in it, this special shows the basics of mankind's existentialism dilemma. It's not sacrilegious at all. Any religion evangelism that think so, is highly, missing the point of the special. However, I do have to say, I wasn't really looking forward to this as a concept. Don't get me wrong, it was unique, but I wanted something more simple and family friendly for the kids. I found the whole religious debate with Linus somewhat annoying and disturbing to watch. Where is his parents!? Honestly, where is anybody parents!? Are they really willing to let a kid freeze to death out there for his beliefs!? I also didn't like how mean-spirited, the other children were. What would they care, what Linus does for Halloween? How come, Linus's best friend, Charlie Brown didn't come to his aid? Another thing, what were random people doing in Linus's house, just to degraded him!? All the mean-spirited nature was just not that fun to watch. However, I did like how they show that crabby, bitchy, Lucy Van Pelt (Voiced by Susan Dryer) does care for her brother, so that was nice, but I hate that the movie detour from the Halloween theme into an out of place World War 1 fantasy with Snoopy the Dog (Voiced by Bill Melendez). That sequence went a little too long for me to like, as I felt lost. Despite that, the special did have some funny moments that made me, laugh. Examples are Lucy dressing up as witch, as she perceives it as being the opposite of her real personality, and everybody else dressing up as a ghost with Charlie getting carry away with too many eye holes. Also, I kinda dig 'the rock' joke. Yet, they kinda ruin it, by recurring it, three times throughout the special. Regardless of that, another thing that I like, about this animated special, is the music. The score, by Vince Guaraldi and John Scott Trotter, is full of memorable cues. Also, the reprise of "Linus and Lucy" from 1965's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is even better with that little flute bit added. Even the music from WWI era tunes like "It's a Long Way to Tipperary"; "There's a Long, Long Trail A-Winding"; "Pack Up Your Troubles in the Old Kit Bag", and "Roses of Picardy were fine to listen to. I also, like how this special was the first Peanuts special to use the titular pattern of a short phrase, followed by "Charlie Brown", a pattern which would remain the norm for almost all subsequent Peanuts specials. "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" was also the 3rd Peanuts special and second holiday-themed special to be produced and animated by Bill Melendez after 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. Its initial broadcast took place on October 27, 1966, on CBS, preempting the show 'My Three Sons' (1960-1965). Nevertheless, the special was so popular, that both ABC and CBS re-aired the special, multiply times for many years, during the Halloween season. Still, those reruns specials, are without fault. Many of the rerun telecasts were edited to trimmed the run-time, such taking away the "trick-or-treat" sequence or cutting parts of the opening credits. Nevertheless, I have to say, not all the edit version are bad. I kinda like the ABC version, which took out the medley of WWI songs sequence, as well, as the rehash leaf pile and football gag. The reasons why, is because I felt that those jokes didn't match the overall holiday tone of the film. I felt that it would work better for 'Thanksgiving' special. However, I didn't like this version of the special, muting certain words. Yet, there is one version of this special that nearly nobody has saw, since is very rare to find and that is the one that has the opening credits sequence originally ended with two references to the special's original sponsors with Coca-Cola and Dolly Madison. Clearly that version, wouldn't be use in future broadcasting. You wouldn't find that version, anytime soon. Despite that, I have to say, Halloween isn't complete without this classic. So, try to find any version of the special. It's worth watching, at least, once, during this holiday fall season. Highly recommended.
Mr-Fusion
A few stray observations about "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown": 1. Who actually hands out rocks on Beggar's Night? Or maybe these people know Charlie Brown's coming and harvest rocks just for him. That'd lend a sadistic edge to this story.2. Every year, maybe, just maybe, ol' Chuck *won't* fall for Lucy's football scam. I can't speak for anyone else, but I find myself thinking this every time.Either way, this special is essential to a good family Halloween, what with its wholesome message about believing in something. It's rewarding, no matter how many Octobers have passed. Combine this with Vince Guaraldi's first-rate score and an infusion of warm Fall colors, and this thing's a keeper.7/10
Mitchell Moe Long
With the proliferation of Halloween related movies and TV shows that abound, naming the greatest is a weighty task. Some prefer slashers greats, notably "Halloween," others comedic horror flicks, like "The Evil Dead." Then there's the classic monster variety, preferring Universal and Hammer productions, and even family friendly fare such as "Hocus Pocus." Despite the overabundance of varying festive films, there's one movie to unite us all: "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." An undeniably adorable Peanuts, it demands an autumnal viewing each October.Halloween is upon the Peanuts gang, and Linus (Christopher Shea) is gearing up not for trick or treating, but his annual wait for the Great Pumpkin. Essentially the Great Pumpkin is the Halloween version of Santa Claus. According to Linus he flies around with a sack of toys and delivers presents to the most sincere pumpkin patch. Each year, Linus writes a letter to the Great Pumpkin, much to the embarrassment of his sister Lucy (Sally Dryer).Meanwhile Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) accidentally gets invited to Violet's (Ann Altieri) Halloween party. Lucy cruelly explains that he was intended for the list of people not to invite. The kids go trick or treating, but Charlie Brown's sister Sally (Kathy Steinberg) decides to keep Linus company in the pumpkin patch."It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie" is the greatest of the Halloween films. The Peanuts cartoon balances comedy and sentimentality wonderfully. The beginning features the recognizable scene of Charlie Brown attempting to kick a football held by Lucy, and falling flat on his back. A hilarious segment, the dialogue about notarized documents is sure to go over kids heads, but adults will get a chuckle.This cross-generational appeal is precisely why "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" has morphed into the seasonal staple it is today. Children will laugh at the jokes, like Linus diving into a leaf pile with a lollipop, and Charlie Brown's trouble with the scissors. Older audiences will appreciate the more mature aspects. There's the WWI Flying Ace side story, which honestly doesn't have any relevance other than Snoopy hams it up considerably. Most of all, however, adults glean the heartwarming message: Lucy and Linus, though outwardly opposite, aren't that different. Linus is compassionate and idealistic, toting that ragged blanket around, while Lucy is boisterous and downright rude, particularly when interacting with poor Charlie Brown. The finale, where Lucy brings a shivering Linus in from the chilly pumpkin patch shows that Lucy's heart isn't as cold as we're made to believe.Overall, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" is a slice of perfection. There are so many ridiculous, though memorable, lines. During the entire night, Charlie Brown keeps getting rocks while trick or treating. This isn't really explained, and it's riotously funny. Charlie Brown's downtrodden "I got a rock," is devilishly quotable. Even the music sparkles. Vince Guaraldi's score bounces around, setting the tone and offering a toe- tappingly delightful backdrop. Ultimately, with mass appeal and infinite replay value, Halloween isn't official until the annual screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown."-- Mitchell "Moe" Long http://www.examiner.com/movies-in-durham/mitchell- moe-long
