Lot's of 40th anniversary fever floating around for "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Aardvark Alley had the first post I saw.But I have a confession. As much as I love "A Charlie Brown Christmas", it's not my favorite Peanuts Christmas animation. That would belong to "It's Christmas Time Again Charlie Brown."
Made in 1992, this video is much funnier than "A Charlie Brown Christmas". When I first saw it on a rack at a local video store, I sarcastically thought to myself, "yeah, right, that looks like a REAL winner." Who could have possibly thought they could improve upon the original special? After watching it (my son received it as a gift), I changed my mind.
The first special is more of a piece of nostalgia and great music. Linus' poignant speech seals the deal. There are plenty of witty moments, but nothing laugh at loud funny.
Which is the difference between the original and the 1992 video; the latter is just a very funny piece. Mr. Schulz made his masterpiece with "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and seemed to want to do something different. He accomplished that. It's just downright funny stuff.
Charlie Brown: Would you like to buy a Christmas wreath?
Girl: It's not even Thanksgiving, yet. By the time Christmas comes, all the needles will be falling off.
Charlie Brown: Don't hang it near the turkey.
[Leading up to the Christmas play, Sally continually practices her only line, actually, only word, in the play. She is afraid she will screw it up, so when the big night comes, what comes out of her mouth? The correct line is "Hark"]
Sally: Hockey stick!
Marcy: Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord.
Peppermint Patty: [while Marcy is speaking] Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa!
Boy: I am Gabriel, Mary, and I couldn't hear you because of the sheep.
Charlie Brown: Good morning, this is a Christmas Wreath.
Girl: [snatches wreath away from Charlie Brown] Thank you, I love samples.
Peppermint Patty: [on the phone, to Marcy] Marcy, what book were we supposed to read during Thanksgiving Vacation?
Marcy: This is Christmas Vacation, Sir.
Peppermint Patty: Christmas Vacation? How can I read something during Christmas Vacation, when I didn't read what I was supposed to read during Thanksgiving Vacation?
Marcy: Duck, Sir. Easter is coming.
I love this video. But I never see it given any love anywhere else. So here's a toast to my favorite Charlie Brown Christmas video. And to those of you who understand, it goes like this (in my most throaty Peppermint Patty voice)..."Woof, meow, moo...whatever!"
I haven't seen it this year; do you if if it has played or will play on the network?
ReplyDeleteI think it has been bumped for the "I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown" special. That was on Friday night. I don't think it's been scheduled.
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