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A Charlie Brown Christmas Is A Classic 25

What Makes A CHARLIE

BROWN CHRISTMAS a

Classic?

By Michael Walsh

The best part of Christmas is watching the same
beloved holiday movies again, and this year
we’re paying tribute to our favorites by
breaking down everything that makes them an
annual must-watch. In this Classic Christmas
Movie Breakdown we’re looking at the the story
of a child struggling to enjoy the holiday thanks
to the commercialization of the season, A
Charlie Brown Christmas.

If you want to see how much the world of
entertainment has changed over 50 years, watch
this 1965 commercial for A Charlie Brown
Christmas. CBS would get inundated with
complaints from confused viewers if they used
the word “impudent” in an ad today. Yet this
classic is timeless because its themes–the
corruption of the true spirit of Christmas and
battling depression–are as relevant today as they
were when it first aired. And despite being a movie history, as Linus recites a passage from peace Christmas was founded on.
cartoon for kids, Charlie’s struggles with the Book of Luke about the birth of Christ. But
isolation are relatable to many who struggle it doesn’t matter what religion you may or may Does anyone sing? Is there a big group sing
during the holiday season. But those all too not follow, because the message Linus is along? It ends with the kids singing “Hark! The
familiar problems are why the ending is as sharing is one of hope for all humanity and the Herald Angels Sing.” It’s a wonderful ending to
powerful now as it ever was. A Charlie Brown dream mankind will find peace on Earth. a beautifully crafted story.
Christmas presents the issues of the season
honestly, and then delivers a hopeful message How lovable is the main character? If you What are the biggest Christmas themes? The
about why things can get better. don’t love Charlie Brown, I don’t know what to corruption of the true meaning of Christmas,
Isn’t there anyone who knows what A tell you. Charlie Brown is the best. He spends peace on Earth, and good will towards men. We
Charlie Brown Christmas is all about? most of this special depressed because he can’t call those the big ones.
Sure, I can tell you what this holiday find the same happiness in Christmas that
classic is all about. everyone else does. His sister Sally sees the Most memorable quote? “That’s what
holiday as her opportunity to cash in on good Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” Yes it is.
Does Santa appear? Is he real? behavior, while his dog Snoopy is concerned
No sign of Santa, not even one of his “helpers.” with winning the local Christmas decoration Best scene? The final scene, after Charlie thinks
There are wonderful winter touches to help set competition. Meanwhile all of the other kids he has killed his tree but the other kids fix it up,
the right holiday mood though, like a frozen treat Charlie like crap, and make fun of his tree. all singing together. But it’s not the absolute
pond full of kids ice skating, a school Christmas But because Charlie is the best, he best, because that goes to moment that is also
pageant, and decorations across the snow- manages to overcome all of that when Linus the answer to our final question.
covered town. reminds him Christmas isn’t about yourself and
what you can get, it’s about spreading good Most emotional moment? It’s not only that

Do any magical creatures talk? This could be cheer to others. That’s when Charlie realizes Linus cuts through the commercialization of
a matter of semantics, because there are no he’s not the one with the problem, which Christmas with a simple message to remind us
magical creatures to be found here like in Frosty inspires everyone else to spread some good that for one day a year we can all unite to make
or Rudolph. However Snoopy does the cheer his way. life better for others, it’s the immediate effect it
following things: decorates his dog house with He might be a blockhead, but he’s a has on Charlie’s spirits. It’s poignant, beautiful,
Christmas lights, goes ice skating, reads the lovable one. and hopeful.
There’s a reason A Charlie Brown
newspaper, dances, and does spot-on
impressions of other animals. Maybe that’s not How evil is the villain? There is no pure villain Christmas has aired on TV every single
magical, but that is one amazing dog. to be found here, although most of the kids are Christmas season since its premiere: it has a
so awful to Charlie Brown you’ll find yourself message we need to hear every year to help us
Are there any religious components? Maybe wondering if it’s okay to hate an eight year old. get through the next one.
more than any other Christmas movie except (It is. It definitely is.) The true villain is the Gift wrap your thoughts for us and place
It’s A Wonderful Life which features a real commercialization of Christmas, which is them under our comments section below. []
angel and a literal act of God, A Charlie Brown responsible for Charlie’s problems, and is still
Christmas wouldn’t be as beloved without its an issue for many.
connections to the Christian holiday. At first the How sincere or cynical is the movie
kids Christmas pageant is another example of about Christmas?
how the holiday’s true meaning has been lost, as It’s very cynical about how Christmas
the children ignore their director Charlie and can be corrupted into a greedy contest to see
only worry about the size of their roles. But who can soak Santa for the most gifts, and who
Charlie hits his breaking point after his sad little can decorate their home with the gaudiest light
tree is mocked for not being a fancy shiny display. But between Linus’s speech and the
aluminum one. He screams, asking if anyone way the kids finally come together to show
knows what Christmas is all about. What some love to Charlie and his tree, it’s ultimately
follows is one of the best moments in Christmas a sincere story about the message of hope and