A Christmas Classic

 That The Critics Have All Wrong

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1964) – The iconic characters from Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip come together for a Christmas Pageant. Charlie Brown struggles with his feelings about the holiday, and his role as director of the holiday play.

Directed by Bill Melendez

Starring Charlie Brown, Linus Van Pelt, Lucy Van Pelt, Schroeder, Sally Brown, Snoopy

Why I Like It – A childhood treasure that is still fabulous today. And the music!

Mr. Magoo may have led the way with an animated Christmas special a couple years before, but nothing has topped this classic. While there has been some recent criticism of the show (see below), this remains a must-see part of the Christmas season for millions of people. It reminds us of what is important at this time of year. It’s an easy, if not really simple, walk through the minefields of the holiday.

Charlie Brown finds the world to be a challenge. He doesn’t feel like he has any friends (but he does), that he doesn’t fit in, and that he can never win. Given his experience with kites, footballs, and baseball, he might have a point about that last one. When Christmas rolls around, Charlie doesn’t know how to feel. Everyone seems to know what the season is about but he just feels lost. A visit with the local “doctor” (Lucy) doesn’t help, and neither does getting roped into being the director of the Christmas play. His attempt to find the perfect Christmas tree comes up short with the other children as well.

The tree is the pinnacle of the meanness from the other children that is criticized these days. I think folks overlook one of the dominant features of Charlie Brown’s character. Through it all, Charlie Brown never gives up. He faces defeat after defeat, insult after insult, but he keeps coming back. For all of his sad sack approach to the world, Charlie Brown is a resolute optimist. He knows the kite will fly, that he’ll boot that football to the moon, that his baseball team will win. That same optimism is brought to the tree he picks. It’s sad too, but he knows it’s the right choice. Does he have a moment of doubt at his lowest point? Of course, the hero must always face an ordeal. From that ordeal, he will rise again. A story without conflict isn’t one that will stand the test of time. The “Peanuts” gang may be children on the page or screen, but they bring adult questions and answers for us to consider.

The questions Charlie Brown has about Christmas are ones that many people face. He shows us all a way forward, through the help of his friends. Schultz’s deep religious background is one display, but never overwhelms the story. In fact, it’s held in a single scene, when Linus answers Charlie Brown’s question about Christmas. The rest is an examination of the commercialization of the holiday, and the shallow traditions that grew up around it.

I can’t review this without a nod to the music. There is no more important Christmas music in the world for me than the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s legendary score. That’s the first music I play at my house on Christmas morning.

It’s warm, even gentle in its own way. Optimistic in a season that is all about that emotion.

For me, it isn’t Christmas without Charlie Brown.

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation