mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
by - December 19, 2007 - 3:02 PM
In my mind, the Christmas season doesn’t officially start until CBS shows A Charlie Brown Christmas. Who out there doesn’t picture Snoopy dancing joyfully with his nose in the air whenever they hear the familiar strains of that jazzy piano music? Interestingly enough, this Christmas staple – the longest-running holiday special on TV – started out as an afterthought.
The Original Dog-umentary
Back in 1963, TV producer Lee Mendelson had the idea to make a documentary film about cartoonist Charles Schulz and his popular Peanuts comic strip. Schulz agreed, and collaborated with animator Bill Melendez to create two minutes of the first-ever animated Peanuts footage. The rest of the special featured “Sparky” Schulz in his studio, driving his kids to school, and even bowling a few frames. Songwriter Vince Guaraldi agreed to write some original music for the special, and the first composition he came up with was an incredibly catchy tune he called “Linus and Lucy.”
The Peanuts documentary never sold, but one of the interested advertisers included Coca-Cola. Executives from the soft drink giant asked Mendelson if he’d be interested in putting together an animated Peanuts Christmas special. Within a few days, Mendelson and Schulz had the outline of a script ready, with notes like “sad Christmas tree,” “school play,” and “ice skating” scribbled in the margins. The “Lucy and Linus” song was resurrected for use in a scene that featured the characters dancing at their play rehearsal, and a choir of children were gathered from a Bay Area (California) church to record vocals for “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Why Snoopy Gets all the Action Scenes
When it came to actually producing the special, Charlie Brown was truly a problem child. Unlike most of the other characters, Chuck’s head was completely round, which made it difficult for the animators to turn and indicate movement from side to side. Snoopy, on the other hand, was the easiest character to manipulate, which is why they had fun making him do everything from the jitterbug to impersonating a vulture.
The Blockheads at CBS Hate It (then change their minds)
When CBS executives previewed A Charlie Brown Christmas, they were vastly underwhelmed. There was just so much wrong with it. There was not enough action. It moved too slow. The voices had been done by real kids, not adult actors. There was no laugh track. And Linus read from the Gospel of Luke in one scene. (“You can’t read from the Bible on network television!” they declared in unison.) At the end of the meeting, Mendelson was told: “Well, you gave it a good shot. Believe me, we’re big Peanuts fans, but maybe it’s better suited to the comic page.”
But CBS had made a commitment to their sponsor, so they aired the special as scheduled on December 9, 1965. And, as often happens in the world of entertainment, the original gut reaction of the suits was completely wrong. A Charlie Brown Christmas drew in 15.4 million viewers, placing it second in the ratings that week after Bonanza. A few months later, Charles Schulz and Lee Mendelson found themselves onstage accepting an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program. (See? Christmas really is the season for miracles.)
Comments (41)
Comment
For three generations my family has been watching A Charlie Brown Christmas. We love it! it’s timeless
posted by Melinda on 12-19-2007 at 3:21 pm
I’ve been a fan of this for years – sure, it’s a pretty simple cartoon, but it’s become a tradition for many people and families I know.
…and just this year I noticed: Linus hangs onto that blanket the whole time, except when he recites the Bible passage. I wonder if that was done on purpose (to show his security with his faith)…?
posted by TomH on 12-19-2007 at 3:21 pm
I’m ever so glad that CBS didn’t make them put in a laugh track. I think it’s timeless just the way it is.
posted by Ken on 12-19-2007 at 3:50 pm
Maybe its just me, but I can’t stand the Charlie Brown specials. They seem tedious and boring to me. I watch em with the kids, but the adults speaking like muted coronets, and the lame-o story lines are just hard to watch. Maybe those network suits were thinking about me.
posted by Scott on 12-19-2007 at 4:08 pm
You’re not the only one Scott. I’ve never liked any of the Charlie Brown stuff. It just puts me to sleep.
posted by Sally on 12-19-2007 at 4:18 pm
I´ve never watched this special… I think I´ve watched a couple of Charlie Brown cartoons but all I can remember is the little song and the adult´s drone… I don´t think I´m a fan.
posted by GTT on 12-19-2007 at 4:58 pm
I’ve watched this since I was a kid, and I agree – I can’t think of Christmas officially starting until i see this special…I can quote it nearly line for line…thanks god CBS didn’t kill it before it aired…what do suits know, anyway?
posted by donner on 12-20-2007 at 12:32 am
Factual Error! The first ever animation of the Peanuts characters was NOT 1963! Melendez animated the characters for a series of commercials for the then-new Ford Falcon in 1960!
posted by Greg Steinmayer on 12-20-2007 at 6:48 am
It’s not Christmas until this special airs. My first contact with A Charlie Briwn Christmas came via a record of the special my dad had. In addition to watching it, it was a family tradition to listen to it as we decorated our tree.
posted by Mike on 12-20-2007 at 7:51 am
@Scott-
“but the adults speaking like muted coronets”
Well, no duh! That’s the whole point — they probably ARE muted coronets!
posted by Sid Morrison on 12-20-2007 at 8:11 am
I remember when the special first aired in the 60s … it was so cool back then, but I cannot watch those old specials anymore as they bring back the horrid memories of the constant abuse I was given as a child… the beatings, whippings, floggings, and sordid sexual atrocities along with being bound and gagged… it’s really difficult bringing these old terrible memories back… they really need to stop showing those old tv shows!
posted by Benny Ravioli on 12-20-2007 at 8:16 am
These older specials bring back fond memories for me, despite the sound of muted cornets the occasional troll.
posted by Tom on 12-20-2007 at 8:29 am
The Christmas season wouldn’t be the same without the transformation of Snoopy from the self absorbed asshole of the comic strip to the little angelic elf of the animated special.
posted by Rich on 12-20-2007 at 8:39 am
My friends and I are white. White-white. Like if we try to dance we fall on our butts and everyone else points and laughs and then we get up and fall again.
Regardless, we have all mastered the Peanuts dance, which basically involves staring at your shoes, shuffling your feet and bobbing your head back and forth.
Thank you Charles Schulz! Savior of the Dance Party for balanceless dweebs everywhere!
;) That being said. I loved the peanuts specials growing up. I wouldn’t know 1/2 of American history if it hadn’t been for Charlie Brown and the Gang.
posted by Ashley on 12-20-2007 at 9:00 am
This was an interesting little piece on the original Charlie Brown Christmas Special. I completely agree with most of the posters here that it’s a masterpiece and an absolute classic. In fact, some of the subtleties that the network was so opposed to (no laugh track, children voice-actors, lack of intense in-your-face nonstop action) are really what make it so great. On the other end of the spectrum however, is the new version of the Charlie Brown Christmas special where Linus’ little brother wants a dog. This has to be one of the worst X-mas specials ever. It is completely devoid of substance and the subtle brilliance that came through so well in the original. I really find it painful to watch and think it would be a slap in the face to Mr. Schultz if he ever saw it. Is there any way we could start a petition to ban that from ever being shown again?
posted by Matt on 12-20-2007 at 9:17 am
I wonder if it still pulls in millions of viewers? Also, is Coca-Cola still the main sponsor?
posted by Stew on 12-20-2007 at 9:30 am
Me, I’m not a big fan of Christmas (memories and all that jazz), but I thought that this article was great. It’s nice to see a little bit of history, but nicer to see how many people love something for its simplicity.
posted by Sarah on 12-20-2007 at 10:57 am
When it comes to awe-inspiring beauty and simplicity, nothing compares to Linus’ oration of the Book of Luke quote on-stage…it still stops me in my tracks and leaves a lump in my throat. Thank you Charles Schulz for generations of Christmas memories.
posted by David B on 12-20-2007 at 11:43 am
Of course there wasn’t going to be non-stop action. It was a prime time special about the Peanust comic strip, not a Saturday morning cartoon (where CBS already had stuff like Mighty Mouse and Tom & Jerry). It’s to the credit of Soarky and the Melendez-Mendelson crew to stay by their guns and make CBS do their mea culpas.
posted by Christopher C on 12-20-2007 at 2:49 pm
I don’t get to see the special every yet now, though I grew up with it every year. However, any time I hear a little snippet of the song, I have to do “the dance” with my head. Even out in public shopping or whatever. It drives my wife crazy. :)
That show is a masterpiece — a true piece of art.
posted by Paul S on 12-20-2007 at 2:55 pm
Love the CBC. The coffe-table book put out about 7 years ago has some interesting tidbits, like Sparky himself immediately dissing the idea of a laugh track by just saying “Absolutely not.” And that was that…
posted by tommytimp on 12-20-2007 at 3:21 pm
First, in recent years, all Peanuts specials have been on ABC. I think its been about 3 years now since CBS gave it up and officially became the ‘old persons’ network.
Second, GOD YES those new specials are horrible. The Valentine one, the Christmas one, and there was one about joinging a baseball team – they all suck. They seem to be a series of vignettes. Like someone took all the individual 3 panel strips and just animated them. That doesnt make for good 30 minute special when a new scene begins ever 20 seconds with a setup and a joke in between.
posted by Julio on 12-20-2007 at 3:41 pm
To Benny Ravioli:
May God bless you, and may your future be better than your past.
posted by Susan on 12-21-2007 at 12:05 am
The whole point of the Charlie Brown Christmas special is that our existence is mundane. Charlie Brown gets no laugh track. And despite his best efforts, things never work out the way he wants. And despite the fact that he is good and decent and kind, terrible things always seem to happen to him. Yet, through it all, it’s Linus’ recitation from the book of Luke that shows Charlie Brown that he has a reason to celebrate. And it’s in those few seconds toward the end of the show, when Linus speaks about the birth of Jesus that Charlie Brown finally gets the point. He already has the greatest gift he could ever receive.
Merry Christmas!
posted by Bob on 12-22-2007 at 12:35 am
“On the other end of the spectrum however, is the new version of the Charlie Brown Christmas special where Linus’ little brother wants a dog. This has to be one of the worst X-mas specials ever. It is completely devoid of substance and the subtle brilliance that came through so well in the original. I really find it painful to watch and think it would be a slap in the face to Mr. Schultz if he ever saw it. Is there any way we could start a petition to ban that from ever being shown again?”
I can’t believe there are people this dumb. “I Want A Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown,” is not a new version of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It is just another Peanuts special. It is not meant in any way to supplant the original. And Mr. Schulz (whose name you don’t seem to be able to spell correctly) would be offended by what you have said about the special because it was all based on material written by him.
posted by Offended Person on 12-22-2007 at 2:37 am
I agree the newer specials are HORRIBLE! If it is based on Schulz’ material, that just may be the problem. Schulz’ comics were quite enjoyable in print, but that does not mean the material is suited for a continuous animation format. These new specials end up coming out dull, lifeless, and devoid of any humor or positive message whatsoever.
BTW, you haven’t truly enjoyed the show until you watch it at an “adult” party — Everyone gets assigned a character (or object if you run out of characters). Every time your character is on screen, you have to drink. Woo Hoo!
posted by Brutus on 12-23-2007 at 10:26 am
yo, offended: don’t crap on matt. ooo he can’t spell? you can’t think of a witty comment.
i remember watching the charlie brown christmas special when i was a little kid and i guess i watched it a LOT, because i recently saw it and remembered everything! it was so cool.
i LOVE the fact that the adults sound like muted coronets, but it wasn’t until recently that i realized the place that it held. i don’t know if anyone watches robot chicken, but they have done a couple charlie brown things (the great pumpkin, and some generic comic strips). one of them almost explained the relevance of the adults to the children. they’re made to sound like that because all kids really hear is that “wha wha wha” crap, hence the muted coronet. i thought it was funny.
and @stew: coca-cola isn’t the sponsor anymore. i think they dropped it in the early 80s.
posted by Holly on 12-23-2007 at 1:36 pm
In this world of “politically correct” everything, it’s so nice to get back to the simple, timeless story of Christmas-the story of a King, born in a barn, becoming a humble child, announced to the lowest class of people first, who grew to be the Man that would change the course of history forever.
Thank you, Charlie Brown, for proclaiming that message in a clear and beautiful way for those of us in this generation. Because of you, we have heard the truth and have hope!
posted by Gayle on 12-24-2007 at 1:02 pm
Just thinking about watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special makes me think of the adrenalin rush we got when we saw the CBS “Special Presentation” before the show opening. It also makes me crave Zingers.
posted by Shaye on 12-25-2007 at 11:55 am
‘ACBC’ is the ONLY Christmas cartoon special worth watching.
The rest, Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty et al are utter crap to me; I think the reason I hate them so much is that I was
’supposed’ to like them as a kid and I didn’t.
Nope, its ‘ACBC’ for me or its nothing at all.
posted by steve johnson on 12-25-2007 at 8:44 pm
Why on earth are all of you saying this “muted coronet” thing? Are you not aware that a coronet is a crown? (or is there some meaning of coronet that I’ve never heard, where it means something like trumpet?)
posted by Daisy on 12-27-2007 at 7:16 pm
A classic cartoon with wonderful music. I will always have a soft spot for Charlie browm.
posted by Daniel E. Friedman on 12-28-2007 at 6:44 pm
To Daisy: a coronet is nearly identical to a trumpet, really it’s a type of trumpet.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a superb story that has stood the test of time. It’s over 40 years old now.
Schultz always focused on the kids in his Peanuts strip and so the adults never talked except in making some kind of noise to which the kids respond as if in conversation.
The only other Christmas Special from that era that is just as good today is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. You got Boris Karloff as the Grinch with Howard Keele narrating. What’s not to love? And it’s so true to Seuss’ story.
As for the article, how incredible that they were so PC even back then about the true meaning of Christmas. Well done Mr. Schultz, may you always rest in peace.
posted by Josh M on 12-30-2007 at 11:48 pm
Just to set the record straight:
“A coronet is a small crown….”
“The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet….”
Above quotes from wikipedia.
btw, I love the original Charlie Brown Christmas too!
posted by arcee on 1-3-2008 at 12:55 pm
*** Woo I love this character Charlie Brown. Many thanks for a trip down memory lane.
P.s I can remember most of their names, but cant remember the one in the picture above with Charlie Brown the one with a blanked and sucking he’s thumb, would love to know? Again thank you.
posted by - Cody on 1-8-2008 at 9:05 am
I love all of the Christmas specials. I found some of the classics(Charlie Brown, The Grinch, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Rudolph, Frosty, etc.) online and burned a DVD of them to show to my first grade students this year (I live in China, I can’t just record them off TV.)Very few of them had seen any of them, and it was cool to see their reactions to the classics for the first time.
posted by greenstrawberries on 1-12-2008 at 4:19 am
I totally agree with most of the posters on here, ACBC totally rocks! I love this special so much. Only one thing, to JoshM, Boris Karloff not only did the Grinches’ voice, he also narrated HTGSC as well. (At the beginning of the show it states this). Thurl Ravenscroft sang the classic song “Your’e a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, as well!! I loved this post. I am currently reading “Sparky’s” biography now, and it is fascinating.
posted by Angie on 12-17-2008 at 11:38 am
There is also a special call It’s Christmas Again Charlie Brown that fallows the substance of A Charlie Brown Christmas but is a little more more fun. I love them both. I also love the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I always laugh when Snoopy gets into the fight with the folding lawn chair.
posted by The Queen on 12-17-2008 at 8:48 pm
The fact that they had to make another Charlie Brown Christmas episode shows the ongoing attempt at methodically watering down the American traditions to finally remove any reference to an actual reason for Christmas. I hadn’t seen the new one till last night, but it didn’t surprise me. There was an cleverly inserted likeness to the Linus scene in the original, but it stopped short of mentioning Christ. It’s a minor thing I know, but a minor part of a very large thing that is happening to our country. We’re on the down slide I believe. Still, Merry Christmas.
posted by daca on 12-21-2008 at 9:27 am
I love the Charlie Brown Christmas special, despite the religious bits! It’s nice to have a calm, fun cartoon that has a sweet message.
posted by dawn on 1-15-2009 at 3:56 am
It’s on DVD now. My entire life, my whole family has sat down to watch it together, and now we always can. Even if (for some unfathomable reason) they ever stop showing it on TV. =) Truly classic.
posted by SJ on 3-31-2009 at 1:29 am