Carl's G.I.F.T. Challenge Post #4
Tis the season to be jolly, but Charlie Brown, feeling that the Christmas message is lost amid all the seasonal glitter, has the blues. Psychiatrist Lucy suggests a cure: get involved with the Christmas play! When our hapless hero sets out to find a Christmas tree to use as a stage prop, he unknowingly takes a step toward discovering the holiday's true meaning. The scraggly tree that thrives on a "little love" and a timely assist from Linus make the message of the season come shining through. Winner of the Emmy and Peabody awards.
It's been at least 25 years since I've seen A Charlie Brown Christmas
. I have a copy of A Charlie Brown Christmas (Vince Guaraldi Trio) on cd and listen to it every year, but haven't watched the tv special since I was a teenager (if not younger!).Thanks to Carl's G.I.F.T. Challenge, I decided to pick up a copy of the dvd while I was out shopping the other day. My 4-year-old niece came over to help me with some Christmas decorating and once we finished, we sat down to watch Charlie Brown. Maddie settled in with some colored pencils and paper and informed me that she was going to draw pictures since she really didn't like Charlie Brown. (Of course, she'd never actually seen Charlie Brown and didn't know who he was, but who am I to argue with a 4-year-old?)
I wish I had thought to take a picture of her! She was completely engrossed in the program and, much to my delight, didn't complain when asked if she would mind if we could watch it again. What fun! And how delightful to see all those familiar characters after all these years. Of course I remember Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Woodstock, and Snoopy. But then there's the rest of the gang: Schroeder, Sally, Pigpen, Violet, Sherman and Freda. My favorite is Snoopy. He just cracks me up and I laughed out loud several times during this movie.
In addition to all of Snoopy's crazy antics, my favorite part is the closing scene in which the gang gathers around Charlie Brown's Christmas tree (which they've decorated for him) and sings my favorite Christmas song, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing."
It's been over a week since I watched this dvd with Miss Maddie. I think I'll fix a cup of hot cocoa (with marshmallows, of course!) and watch the show again tonight.
MERRY CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN!
Wow, thats a long time without seeing this!!! I LOVE this show. I remember looking forward to it on television every year back in the day, as a child, when VCRs and DVD players did not exist. It is such a magical show. The music is phenomenal (I have the CD as well) and the message in the movie is great. I have always enjoyed Charles Schulz' humor and it shines through in this special. I am also deeply moved by Linus' speech extolling the true meaning of Christmas. All in all it is a wonderful Christmas movie. Thanks for sharing about it. I want to grab a mug of cocoa now and watch it myself!
ReplyDeleteI just love Charlie Brown and watch the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas specials every year.
ReplyDelete- Stephanie www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com
I show this to my class every year. As Carl said, I too love Linus' little speech. And, the music is not to be missed! I play the CD until I'm almost sick of it. But, not quite. Now, I need to send you some Ibarra cocoa to enjoy with it!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteHeather
www.thelibraryladder.blogspot.com
The Charlie Brown Christmas special has always made me cry! I love it so much it feels a part of my genetic makeup. I love the MUSIC from it, too. Classic stuff.
ReplyDeleteCarl - Yeah, it is a long time. Don't know why I haven't bothered to buy the dvd until this year! To think I never sat down and watched it with my now 23-year-old daughter! What kind of a mother am I??
ReplyDeleteI, too, love Linus' speech and always get choked up when I hear it. Hope you get a chance to watch it this year.
Stephanie - I haven't watched the Halloween special in ages. I never really cared for the Thanksgiving one, but maybe I'll give it another chance next year.
Bellezza - I play the music almost every single day. There's something comforting about each and every song.
Orange Blossom - Yep!
Bluestalking Reader - That's it! It feels such a part of me it must be in my genes by now. Maybe that's why I haven't had to watch it for so long. It's ingrained in my brain! A true classic if there ever was one. Definitely beats out Rudolph and Frosty!
I love that Charlie Brown Christmas special and I don't recall seeing it in many, many years, either.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memory.
Bookfool - You're welcome! Maybe you can watch it sometime this season. I have no idea when it's on tv or if the networks even aire it anymore. Not being a tv watcher, I'm out of the loop when it comes to whats on when! Thank goodness for Netflix.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites, too! I have the CD as well, and think it is time to pop it in and listen to it!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I haven't seen this in years. Now you've got me thinking about it. I supposed it's too late for Netflix to come through. Maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteRenee - I think this is on to own. I've watched it several times this month!
ReplyDeleteDanielle - I've listened to the cd so much this month and am ready for something a bit different now. I got the soundtrack to Gray's Anatomy that I'll have to rip to my iPod so I can start listening to something other than Christmas music. I love the build-up to Christmas, but come the 26th I'm ready to put it all away for another year.