Classic Movie Pick: ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ is a Halloween must-watch

For this week’s pic, I’m thinking outside the box when it comes to Halloween. Lots of people prefer bags and bags full of candy, but this year, I prefer “Peanuts!” There might not be anything that captures the mood of Halloween more than “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” which is this week’s classic.

Sure, I could’ve gone with “Halloween” or “Nightmare on Elm Street,” but why not pick a feel-good movie about a group of lovable cartoon kids with big dreams and expectations that only kids can have when it comes to a major holiday? And it’s only 25 minutes long!

Charles Schultz’ “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” came out in 1966, and was well received by critics. It is still considered by many to be the best of the “Peanuts'” specials. The story is set in motion when Charlie Brown is invited to Violet’s Halloween Party – his first party invite ever. The Peanuts gang goes trick or treating before the party, with the exception of Linus who decides he wants to catch a glimpse of The Great Pumpkin. Much like a child waiting up trying to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus, Linus plants himself in a pumpkin patch, sure that it is where the mythical Great Pumpkin will appear.

He even talks Charlie Brown’s sister Sally into waiting with him. In the scene, we can see just how blind love can be:

Yes, love has a price, and the cost is missing out on an entire night’s worth of candy. The only thing that actually appears in the cold, dark, pumpkin patch is Snoopy dancing on a pumpkin. This iconic special is also the first time we see the infamous football gag between Lucy and Charlie Brown.

Charlie Brown fell for Lucy’s gag in every special that followed. The lovable Chazb – so gullible, but so full of hope! 

Charles Schultz wanted to be a cartoonist from a very young age. The Charlie Brown comic strip was totally autobiographical, and the Charlie Brown character was based on Schultz, who was shy and insecure as a child. He was also consumed with comic strips. His father, who was a barber, would bring four different newspapers home after work for Schultz to read just for the comics alone. If you remember, Charlie Brown’s father is also a barber. Charles Schultz drew almost 18,000 strips over his 50 year plus career. 

Charles Schultz was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and fought in World War II. He was part of the unit that liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. As a result, he would often honor military veterans and his fellow soldiers in his work. Charlie Brown’s dog Snoopy even has dreams of being a fighter pilot. Schultz was the recipient of many awards throughout his life, including the Congressional Gold Medal, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

After the first airing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” children around the country felt so sorry for Charlie Brown only getting a rock while trick or treating that they sent candy. Ah, sweet empathy!

So, lose yourself in this classic story about Halloween and have a great Halloween weekend. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is this week’s classic pic.

Editor’s note: For more movie and entertainment talk, join host Pete Schwaba weeknights from 6 to 8 p.m. for “Nite Lite” on the Civic Media radio network.