17 Comments
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That guy Paulie's avatar

I believe in a major American city the leaders recently lit "the tree". Not the Christmas tree. Just "the tree". Seattle, I think

John O'Brien, Jr.'s avatar

Dr. Esolen, I'm glad you reminded us about this wonderful Christmas classic, as well as the one featuring Mr. McGoo. Your reminder motivated me to purchase a copy of "A Charlie Brown Christmas", which I sent to my young grandchildren, who hopefully will watch it often and take to heart its message that material acquisitions are not why Christmas is important.

Debra Esolen's avatar

The Mr. Magoo version is our family favorite hands down over ALL of the filmed versions of this story! It's a cartoon, yes, but very true to the Dickens tale, and just as entertaining for adults as for kids.

Margaret Lindsey's avatar

The music by Vince Guaraldi is mighty fine. I especially like “Christmas is Coming”—some great jazz piano playing. “Skating “ and “Linus and Lucy” are good, too.

Debra Esolen's avatar

Yes! The got a real composer to do the music for this excellent cartoon. It's jazz, and it's superb jazz. And as you point out, it really captures the mood of the entire story.

Jennifer Aragon's avatar

I loved that Christmas special with Mr. Magoo. Thank you for reminding me of it! I hadn't thought of it in several years. The Charlie Brown Christmas special was my favorite, of course. A Jewish rabbi who was also a psychiatrist also recognized Charles Schulz's psychological insights and wrote a few books about this. One book was called, "When Do The Good Things Start? A Therapist Looks at Life's Ups and Downs (With a Bit of Help from Charlie Brown and His Friends.)"

Debra Esolen's avatar

I have not heard of this book, but will definitely look for it now! Thank you for that recommendation. The Mr. Magoo version is our family's favorite film version of the Dickens story!

Steve Terenzio's avatar

Reportedly the brass at CBS was uncomfortable with the Gospel quotation being broadcast in prime time over national, commercial television. But Schulz insisted upon leaving it in the script if the network wanted his approval and involvement in the production. And thanks to his fortitude we may continue to revisit the joy of viewing this classic.

Debra Esolen's avatar

I hate to say that I'm not surprised that the network didn't want the Gospel in this children's story -- even then. But to leave IT out is to in fact miss the point of the whole story, isn't it? Shameful. I'm glad that Schultz stood his ground.

Steve Terenzio's avatar

Spot on, Debra! And yet school productions have removed the Christian reference in recent years, e.g., https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article49895325.html

As Charlie Brown might say, "good grief." It would be better to not put on the play at all.

Kate's avatar

The Charlie Brown Christmas special is touching, but thanks for reminding me of Davey and Goliath! I used to watch as a child but haven't thought of that lovely show for years.

Debra Esolen's avatar

We miss the days when our children were small, when we used to spend each Sunday in Advent watching one or another of the wonderful animated Children's Christmas films .. such fun!

Deb Berg, RD, CDES's avatar

A classic to Watch every year, maybe more than once a year! We watched it last week not realizing it was the 65th anniversary.

Debra Esolen's avatar

Yes, sixty-five years. Shamefully, the network ran it for 56 of those years, and then dropped it -- one of their greatest little masterpieces.

Nan G's avatar

One of our favorites! I always get a bit of a tear in my eye when Linus tells Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about.

Steve Terenzio's avatar

Indeed! Keen observers - not me, until it was pointed out - have noticed that Linus drops his security blanket just at the point in the climactic scene when he says the words "fear not."

Debra Esolen's avatar

This is truly a little masterpiece, as were the original Peanuts cartoons!