Monday Movie - A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas

(1965)

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!

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When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas paegent. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

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If you asked most people to name the first Christmas movie that pops into their head, a large percentage would list this movie. You really can't much more classic than A Charlie Brown Christmas. Almost all of us grew up watching this movie, the 50th TV airing was even celebrated a few weeks back.

This movie is fun, family friendly, and features one of the best, if not the best, scripture recitation in a TV cartoon. You can watch the movie over and over and yet it never grows stale.

Even if we watch no other Christmas movies my family always watches A Charlie Brown Christmas sometime during the holiday season. We've even been known to watch it while waiting to head to Grandma's for Christmas dinner. 
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So, during this holiday season take some time, grab the family, sit back, and take some time out from the busy-busy to enjoy one of the best Christmas movies ever.

25 Minutes

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Principal Cast

Ann Altieri...Frieda (voice) (uncredited)
Chris Doran...Schroeder / Shermy (voice) (uncredited)
Sally Dryer...Violet (voice) (uncredited)
Bill Melendez...Snoopy (voice) (uncredited)
Karen Mendelson...Patty (voice) (uncredited)
Geoffrey Ornstein...Pig-Pen (voice) (uncredited)
Peter Robbins...Charlie Brown (voice) (uncredited)
Christopher Shea...Linus Van Pelt (voice) (uncredited)
Kathy Steinberg...Sally Brown (voice) (uncredited)
Tracy Stratford...Lucy Van Pelt (voice) (uncredited)

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Awards

1966 Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Children's Program - 
Lee Mendelson (producer) & Bill Melendez (producer)

​1966 Peabody Awards 
​Peabody Award

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Quotes

Lucy Van Pelt: You DO think I'm beautiful, don't you, Charlie Brown?
[pause]
Lucy Van Pelt: You didn't answer me right away. You had to think about it first, didn't you? If you really had thought I was beautiful, you would've spoken right up. I know when I've been insulted. I KNOW WHEN I'VE BEEN INSULTED.
Charlie Brown: Good grief.

Charlie Brown: Thanks for the Christmas card you sent me, Violet.
Violet: I didn't send you a Christmas card, Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown: Don't you know sarcasm when you hear it?

Lucy Van Pelt: Memorize it and be ready to recite when your cue comes.
Linus Van Pelt: I can't memorize something like this so quickly. Why should I be put through such agony? Give me one good reason why I should memorize this.
Lucy Van Pelt: I'll give you five good reasons.
[proceeds to make a fist out of her fingers]
Lucy Van Pelt: One, two, three, four, FIVE!
Linus Van Pelt: [begins shaking his head emphatically] Those are good reasons. Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it's getting too dangerous.

Patty: Try to catch snowflakes on your tongue. It's fun.
Linus Van Pelt: Mmm. Needs sugar.
Lucy Van Pelt: It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January.
Linus Van Pelt: They sure look ripe to me.

[Charlie Brown hangs an ornament on the tree; it bends over]
Charlie Brown: I've killed it. Oh! Everything I touch gets ruined.

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Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.
[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not:"
[Linus drops his security blanket on purpose]
Linus Van Pelt: "for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Luke 2:8-14 KJV]
Linus Van Pelt: [Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown] That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

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Thanks to IMDB.com for most of the info for this movie.