When I was a senior in high school, (1966) IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN premiered. Everyone was enamored with the cartoon PEANUTS, written by Charles Schultz. Including me! I had several Snoopy posters hanging on my bedroom walls, and I owned a huge Snoopy dog that I still keep in my memory box. Every night, as a teenager, I would pour my heart out to this silent stuffed animal. He was such a good listener that I had to take him with me when I went away to college. It has been a love affair of over sixty years. What can I say… just like Snoopy, I am very loyal.
I shared my devotion to all the characters when my children were born. I always felt like my son Aaron had a lot of Charlie Brown and Linus in him, and Ilisa was a mixture of Lucy and definitely Pigpen. We were all a great combo. We would sit together and watch this special Halloween show every Halloween. We would all laugh at the same silly moments together. It was continuity. It was comfort. It was pure joy, love, and laughter. To this day, I still watch IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN with my husband. It is tradition and marks the changing of the seasons.
ITGPCB is twenty-six minutes of little vignettes from the cartoon. It contains many familiar characters, including Lucy, Linus, Sally, Snoopy, and of course, Charlie Brown. These are ordinary children excited about Halloween and going out for “Trick or Treats.” They all plan their costumes and the party afterward. Linus is the only one who holds back. He believes he has the most sincere pumpkin patch in all the world. This is where the Great Pumpkin will rise up and give toys to all the boys and girls. His faith and determination are priceless. Sally’s support and love for Linus is precious. Snoopy’s wild imagination behind enemy lines during WWII is hilarious. Bopping for apples, receiving rocks, and sister/brother caring is the best. Viewers know what they get when watching this brilliant, beautiful film. It “grounds” all of us. This is a fantastic, good thing, especially in today’s society.
IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN is a classic Halloween movie that should be revisited annually. It is “voiced” by kids for children of all ages. I plan to carry on this tradition with my grandson, Aiden. I can’t wait to see him do the Snoopy happy dance.
It is available to stream on Apple TV+.
