This reason this special tops the list is two-fold:
2. The music. I defy anyone to produce a better Christmas soundtrack then the masterpiece created by Vince Guaraldi and his trio. I have already mentioned two of the songs in previous posts, "Linus and Lucy" which is the epitome of Christmas special music and "Skating" which is my personal favorite.
Not to be outdone on the album is "The Christmas Song", "O Tannenbaum" and "What Child is This". All done in Vince's jazz piano style. I pretty much have the whole album downloaded over there on the music player. Spend some time and take a listen.
1. The top reason I put this as number one was it is the only special on this list that actually mentions the birth of Christ. Which as we all know is the reason we celebrate Christ-mas.
Linus' little soliloquy is one of the greatest speeches in TV history. The mood, the voice, the lighting, "Lights, please", the content, the writing, the passion, the innocence, the belief. Linus had it. And he gave it to Charlie Brown.
I can remember as a kid waiting for this special to come on TV. It was always on CBS and they always played a little song and graphic before the show to let you know special programming was coming up. It was the CBS logo going around in a circle with drums beating and the horns swelling to a climax...hold on...the power of the internet. I found this in about 45 seconds
This was as much a part of the holidays as Charlie Brown.
Kids skating and singing; Linus and Charlie contemplating Christmas; Charlie depressed; kids doing the whip; Snoopy flinging CB into the tree; CB not getting any Christmas cards; CB being sarcastic; CB making the rounds (Pig Pen and Snoopy); kids eating snowflakes if they're ripe enough; kids slinging snowballs with Linus' Davey-esque slingshot action the best; Lucy psychoanalyzing CB after his payment of cold hard cash; diagnosis: pantaphobia; "That's it!"; CB appointed director of the Christmas play; real estate mentioned as a good gift; Snoopy decorating his house for a lights and display contest to win money, money, money; Sally dictating her wants to big brother CB; all she wants is what's coming to her...all she wants is her fair share; first taste of Guaraldi's genius in Linus and Lucy; kid dancing, head side to side while pointing his fingers out form his side; introduction of CB as director; Snoopy boos; CB directs; more Vince and dancing; scripts handed out; Pig Pen the innkeeper, go figure; Shermy is a shepherd every Christmas; Snoopy is a sheep, cow and yes he's even a good penguin; Lucy diatribes; Snoopy mimics and kisses; Snoopy "Bleeeah"'s; Linus is given 5 good reasons to memorize the script; he's just an innocent shepherd; Schroeder jams to Vince again; too much dust for the curls; Sally thinks Linus is the cutest thing; lunch break; Christmas queen insults; Vince one more time; Charlie throws the director megaphone with a horn toot sound effect; CB goes to get a Christmas tree, a big shiny one; CB and Linus get a scrawny but real tree; Lucy disses Beethoven; Snoopy dances on piano then gets embarrassed when music stops; Jingle Bells; CB and Linus bring in the tree; kids laugh at poor old CB; CB depressed again;
"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about"
"Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights, please.
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: for, behold, I bring 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."
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
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