It's that time of year when the Great Pumpkin makes his appearance in the pumpkin patch that is most sincere to give out treats to all the good little boys and girls!
I grew up watching this delightful cartoon on TV back in the day. It first aired in 1966 when I was 9 years old. Yes, I was the target audience! Good Grief!
Every year after that, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" would be on our Halloween must-do list. I'm so happy that the tradition continues today. I grew up watching the show, my kids grew up watching it, and just last weekend I watched it with my 9-year-old granddaughter!
For those who have been not seen the show, here is brief synopsis:
Linus writes a letter to the Great Pumpkin, looking forward to his
arrival on Halloween night. Of course, his older sister, Lucy,
thinks he's crazy. She doesn't believe in the Great Pumpkin.
But Linus's faith is strong. Nothing will deter him.
arrival on Halloween night. Of course, his older sister, Lucy,
thinks he's crazy. She doesn't believe in the Great Pumpkin.
But Linus's faith is strong. Nothing will deter him.
The gang get their costumes ready for trick or treating.
Charlie Brown has trouble with the scissors.
Charlie Brown has trouble with the scissors.
Lucy: A person should always choose a costume
which is in direct contrast to her own personality.
which is in direct contrast to her own personality.
Lucy leads the gang trick or treating
and has to ask for an extra piece of candy for her
"blockhead brother" who is waiting for Great Pumpkin.
and has to ask for an extra piece of candy for her
"blockhead brother" who is waiting for Great Pumpkin.
Meanwhile, Linus has settled into the most sincere pumpkin patch
he can find and waits expectantly for the
Great Pumpkin to appear at midnight.
he can find and waits expectantly for the
Great Pumpkin to appear at midnight.
Snoopy has his own problems. As the World War I flying ace,
Snoopy is ready to battle Red Baron.
Snoopy is ready to battle Red Baron.
The gang goes trick or treating and get all kinds of goodies.
Except for Charlie Brown. All he gets is a bag of rocks.
Except for Charlie Brown. All he gets is a bag of rocks.
After trick or treating, the gang has a Halloween party.
Everyone is having a good time except Lucy.
She is too bossy for her own good.
Everyone is having a good time except Lucy.
She is too bossy for her own good.
Snoopy continues his mission to destroy the Red Barron.
Linus encourages Sally to join him in greeting the Great Pumpkin.
Her love for Linus wins out and she spends Halloween night
in the pumpkin patch. Linus and Sally see the
Great Pumpkin rise out of the pumpkin patch. Or maybe not.
Her love for Linus wins out and she spends Halloween night
in the pumpkin patch. Linus and Sally see the
Great Pumpkin rise out of the pumpkin patch. Or maybe not.
At the Halloween party, Lucy bobs for apples
and accidentally touches DOG LIPS!
and accidentally touches DOG LIPS!
The Great Pumpkin didn't show up and Sally is angry with Linus.
She missed out on tricks or treats, the Halloween party
and all the fun. She demands RESTITUTION!
She missed out on tricks or treats, the Halloween party
and all the fun. She demands RESTITUTION!
In the end, Linus is not deterred. His faith is stronger than ever.
He believes that next year the Great Pumpkin will show up for sure!
He believes that next year the Great Pumpkin will show up for sure!
It's such a classic and I also watched it every year. You make me want to watch it again right now!
ReplyDeleteCraig, definitely watch it again. The music by Vince Guaraldi is a perfect backdrop and is what gives the show its jazzy edge. I also enjoy how Charles Schulz uses his Peanuts characters to express his own philosophy about life and universal truths. Linus's faith, Charlie Brown's despair and Snoopy's imagination.
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