It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Plot synopsis:
With autumn in full swing, the Peanuts gang prepares for Halloween. In the cold open, Linus and Lucy go out to the local pumpkin patch to find a pumpkin. Lucy selects the largest one they could find, and poor Linus has to be the one getting it back to the house, only to be very distraught when it turns out Lucy is going to gut it to become a jack-o-lantern. After the opening credits, Snoopy ends up helping Charlie Brown a bit while he's out raking up a pile of leaves, only to have Linus jump into it with a large lollipop. Then Lucy entices Charlie to try to kick the football...with the usual results.
Meanwhile, Linus writes his annual letter to The Great Pumpkin, despite Charlie Brown's disbelief, Snoopy's laughter, Patty's assurance that the Great Pumpkin is a fake, and even his own sister Lucy (who is watching TV and reading a TV Guide with her picture on it) making a violent threat to make her brother stop. Only Sally, Charlie Brown's younger sister, who is smitten with Linus, supports him. When Linus goes out to mail the letter but cannot reach the mailbox, Lucy refuses to help him; so he uses his blanket to open the box and throws in the letter.
On Halloween night, the gang (including Sally) goes trick-or-treating, each with their own costume. Most dress as ghosts in simple white sheet costumes; Charlie Brown botches his costume with errant scissor work, and Pig-Pen's trademark dust cloud makes him easy to identify, while Lucy opts to dress as a witch, as she perceives it as being the opposite of her real personality. On the way, they stop at the pumpkin patch to ridicule Linus for missing the festivities, just as he did the previous year. Undeterred, Linus is convinced that the Great Pumpkin will come, and tries to convince Sally to join him; Sally, against her better judgment but acting almost entirely on her infatuation with Linus, agrees to skip trick-or-treating to be with her sweet babboo.
During trick-or-treating, the kids receive various goodies (except for Charlie Brown, who gets nothing but rocks). After going back to the pumpkin patch to tease Linus and Sally, the gang goes to Violet's Halloween party. (Neither Lucy nor Charlie Brown can believe that the latter even got invited to a party hosted by the notoriously snobby Violet; Charlie Brown breaks out into a "happy dance" upon receiving the invitation as Lucy assumes it was a mistake.) Meanwhile, Snoopy, wearing his World War I flying ace costume, climbs aboard his doghouse (imagining it to be a Sopwith Camel fighter plane) to fight with the Red Baron. After a fierce but losing battle, Snoopy makes his way across "the countryside" to briefly crash the Halloween party, where he is entertained by Schroeder's playing of World War I tunes on his piano (two upbeat songs, then two slow songs, both of the latter songs make Snoopy cry) and then goes to the pumpkin patch. When Linus sees a shadowy figure rising from the moonlit patch, he assumes the Great Pumpkin has arrived and faints. When Sally sees that it is only Snoopy, she furiously yells at Linus for making her miss out on the Halloween festivities as Charlie Brown and the others come to get her. As they leave, Linus, still convinced that the Great Pumpkin will materialize, promises to put in a good word for them if he comes—an off-the-cuff remark that he fears, because of the uncertainty, will scare the Great Pumpkin away; namely, because he said if instead of when.
At four o'clock the next morning, Lucy realizes that Linus is not in his bed. She finds her brother asleep in the pumpkin patch, shivering. She brings him home, takes off his shoes, and puts him to bed. Later, Charlie Brown and Linus are leaning against a wall, commiserating about the previous night's disappointments. Charlie Brown attempts to console his friend, admitting that he has done stupid things in his life also; this only infuriates Linus, who sets off on an angry rant vowing that the Great Pumpkin will come to the pumpkin patch next year, as Charlie Brown listens with an annoyed look on his face and the credits roll.

Tags: psychedelic

Review:
From the pumpkin carving opener, the pumpkin patch, Snoopy's fantasy World War I adventures as he makes his way across the French countryside, to the beautiful musical score, it all adds up to one great Halloween experience.
The thing I loved most about this Charlie Brown Halloween special was the sheer simplicity of it.
It shows what Halloween is really about- the fun of trick-or-treating, and being with your friends.Linus believes in the 'Great Pumpkin', the Santa Claus of Halloween.
From Linus and Sally in the pumpkin patch all night to the still quoted "I got a rock!" line, not many holiday specials that don't involve Charlie Brown and the gang bring a smile to my face like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
It was always a cause for celebration to see these endearing characters and laugh at their assorted escapades.Here, the character of Linus, ordinarily the most sensible of the children, indulges in his ongoing personal fantasy involving the almighty Great Pumpkin who in Linus' mind is the Santa Claus of the Halloween season, appearing in the most sincere of pumpkin patches and distributing toys to the faithful.One can't help but be charmed by his dedication to this concept, even as it prevents him from enjoying the more conventional trappings of the holiday - specifically trick or treating, which his admirer Sally forgoes in order to be with him.This lovable story does of course display a constant disarming sense of humour, in particular poor Charlie Browns' tendency to get rocks in his treat bag in place of candy - yet he doesn't let it get him down.
Good old Snoopy continues to be a major cut up - whether he's indulging in his own flights of fancy, taking on the persona of the World War I Flying Ace forever facing off against his arch rival The Red Baron, and pretending to be making his way across enemy lines (this sequence features some of the best animation in the special), or stealing the show at Violets' Halloweeen Party.
CharlieBrown and his bag of rocks, Snoopy and the Red Baron, Linus'ingenious use of his security blanket  for a ghost costume, VinceGuaraldi's great score, and of course, bossy Lucy and hersarcastic voice of reason - I think we all know a 'Lucy' growing up!
As a Halloween Special, Linus is always waiting for the Great Pumpkin & it is consistent with Linus that he makes a negative remarks about Santa believers.
Everyone should grow up watching this movie: Charlie Brown getting rocks in his bag, Linus' unwavering belief in the Great Pumpkin, Sally's calls of "Sweet Baboo," Lucy...being Lucy.
Charlie Brown's sister Sally adores Linus and willingly waits with him at the pumpkin patch instead of going on her first trick-or-treating.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown was a must watch show for me every Halloween since about the age of 4.
It got me primed to go trick or treating.As an adult with children in their 20's, I still stop what I'm doing to watch Linus sit in the pumpkin patch with Sally.
My kids shake their heads when I start going off that by now he should know better.I will be an old woman and still watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
The Peanuts gang goes trick-or-treating while Linus sits in a pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin.
Fantastic Vince Guaraldi music, Lucy and the football, Charlie Brown's pathetic ghost costume, the WWI flying ace, poison dog lips, and "I got a rock" are among the wonderful things about this timeless gem.
Linus some what thinks that there's this so called "Great Pumpkin" who comes to the Pumpkin Patch every night.His sister Lucy and the other kids tell him that there's no such thing.
He just goes to the Pumpkin Patch while everyone else goes Trick or Treating and partying.The best part of this TV movie was when Snoopy dresses as the red Baron and pretend he's in WW1 of France.Those who are obsessed with Peanuts will enjoy this Holiday special as well as other people who enjoy Snoopy Cartoons..
A halloween tradition where Charlie Brown and the gang celebrates halloween by the usual trick or treating and bobbing for apples..all except for Linus and Sally who wait anxiously for the Great Pumpkin to come...will he finally make his appearance?
I know Charlie Brown is the always the butt of the jokes, but in this some of what was directed his way seemed mean rather than funny - like adults (presumably) throwing rocks in his trick or treat bag.
Things like "there are three things I should never discuss - religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin!" or Charlie Brown suggesting that his belief in Santa Claus and Linus' belief in the Great Pumpkin represent "denominational differences." Snoopy is always a great addition to these shows, and he's always cute enough for young ones to love, but his get-up as the World War I flying ace, and the extended part of the story about it also seemed to be extraneous.Yeah.
It brings back some good memories of childhood - not just of watching this year after year but of going trick or treating with friends and dressing up, but I still didn't find this anywhere near as magical as "A Charlie Brown Christmas," although I was delighted that at the end of the story a softer side of Lucy came out as she went and collected a shivering Linus from his fruitless night in the pumpkin patch and put him to bed.
and a believer in the Great Pumpkin.Charlie Brown's experiences of trick or treating (how bitter sweet childhood is!), Snoopy's fantasy life, Sally's devotion to Linus, the wonderful 'Lucy and Linus' theme, all add up to a tremendous show - every bit as excellent as the famous comic strip.
Some prefer slashers greats, notably "Halloween," others comedic horror flicks, like "The Evil Dead." Then there's the classic monster variety, preferring Universal and Hammer productions, and even family friendly fare such as "Hocus Pocus." Despite the overabundance of varying festive films, there's one movie to unite us all: "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." An undeniably adorable Peanuts, it demands an autumnal viewing each October.Halloween is upon the Peanuts gang, and Linus (Christopher Shea) is gearing up not for trick or treating, but his annual wait for the Great Pumpkin.
Each year, Linus writes a letter to the Great Pumpkin, much to the embarrassment of his sister Lucy (Sally Dryer).Meanwhile Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) accidentally gets invited to Violet's (Ann Altieri) Halloween party.
The kids go trick or treating, but Charlie Brown's sister Sally (Kathy Steinberg) decides to keep Linus company in the pumpkin patch."It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie" is the greatest of the Halloween films.
A hilarious segment, the dialogue about notarized documents is sure to go over kids heads, but adults will get a chuckle.This cross-generational appeal is precisely why "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" has morphed into the seasonal staple it is today.
The finale, where Lucy brings a shivering Linus in from the chilly pumpkin patch shows that Lucy's heart isn't as cold as we're made to believe.Overall, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" is a slice of perfection.
Ultimately, with mass appeal and infinite replay value, Halloween isn't official until the annual screening of "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown."-- Mitchell "Moe" Long http://www.examiner.com/movies-in-durham/mitchell- moe-long.
Schulz is also the best, a fondly remembered and still quite popular tale about how Linus decides to forgo trick or treating with his friends to stay in the pumpkin patch to get presents from the Great Pumpkin, a legendary figure who is quite similar to Santa Claus.
Meanwhile, poor Charlie Brown gets only rocks in his bag, and mistakenly invited to Violet's Halloween party, where Lucy uses his head as a pumpkin model!
Sally's love for Linus is also tested, and Snoopy becomes a WWI flying Ace. Wonderful tale has a distinct Halloween feel to it, and is also both funny and even spooky.
After all these years, Linus still believes in the Great Pumpkin rising up from the pumpkin patch to give presents to all the boys and girls, Snoopy dresses as a WWI flying ace to battle the Red Baron, Charlie Brown cuts too many holes in his sheet and gets nothing but rocks from trick-or-treating, Lucy dresses as a witch, and Vince Guaraldi plays the most wonderful music ever made for an animated cartoon.
Even though I enjoyed watching the Great Pumpkin special when I was younger, I watched it several years ago and there were some parts that I didn't like because I felt it glorified childhood cruelty and bullying.
The football scene that would later lead off A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving was hilarious and the scene where all the kids except Linus and Sally were trick or treating and Charlie Brown getting a bag of rocks was memorable.
And I love the "Peanuts Gang" too.I love the part when Linus sees Charlie Brown's giant leaf pile and goes "CHARGE!" then jumps in it, and the leaves went all over the place; Then Linus said "Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker." I also like it when the kids go out trick-or-treating except Sally & Linus of course, they're sitting in the town pumpkin patch, waiting for "The Great Pumpkin" to show up.
Linus is convinced that the Great Pumpkin is Halloween's version of Santa Claus; Snoopy thinks he's a World War I flying ace; Charlie Brown gets rocks instead of candy.
That is the most awesome part of any Charlie Brown movie.And...beyond that you have a kid making up a story and believing it that would, almost 30 years later, be spoofed in an episode of the Simpsons.
I just think it's a little overhyped.The animation style and smoothness is great, and the music is wonderful, as per usual for anything involving Charlie Brown.This is one of my mom's favorite things to watch, and I pretty much always watch it with her, every year.I'm not really a fan of the moments like the Red Berring scene-that's a little out-of-place, in my opinion, and it's a good four or five minutes of this special.Everything else really recreates that October and Fall feeling we all feel, as children.
Nothing too spooky here, just Charlie Brown, his ghost costume and Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin.
It's a great family event, written by Charles Schulz himself and directed by Bill Melendez.It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is probably one of the best remembered specials that has been produced starring the Peanuts gang.
Long before the annual Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, Halloween Night is Grinch Night, and The Halloween Tree, there was this classic 1966 animated peanuts special about the Great Pumpkin that was an annual tradition on CBS (now it airs on ABC) since it's first airing.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is one of my favorite TV specials ever, because it's a lot more comedic.
Have your parents made you believe that there's a Great Pumpkin that gives toys to good kids every Halloween?
Linus, on the other hand, made himself believe that there's a Great Pumpkin that gives toys to good kids every Halloween.
In the Peanuts universe, Halloween is the only day of the year where one of the kids is a bigger fool than Charlie Brown.
Whether you're seeing Linus and Sally awaiting for The Great Pumpkin's arrival in the sincerest pumpkin patch, Snoopy in combat from World War I, or just Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang trick-or-treating for candy or rocks, you'll have one of the great experiences yet.
While I loved the Charlie Brown Christmas, I must say I always liked the Great Pumpkin one more.
In a sense, the football antics could be another thing that are caught in The Flying Dutchman aspect to Peanuts, as Chuck never gets anybody else to hold it and he never learns much from it.So next year, I will once more watch The Great Pumpkin episode, fully expecting them to be still fully caught in their time warp..
Their Halloween special is simply fun...although I remember as a young child having my heart break for poor Charlie Brown when folks kept giving him rocks on Halloween while Trick-or- Treating.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is Halloween Classic :).
Happy Halloween Everybody Today I'm Reviewing the 1966 Halloween Special It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
Anyway I Loved It's Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown It's Halloween Classic.
It just isn't Halloween without it...Celebrating the Peanuts special "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" on its 50th anniversary.
Fifty years ago in 1966, the television special "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" aired as "A CBS Special Presentation In Color" on October 27,1966.
"It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" really encapsulates childhood, the camaraderie and the spirit of Halloween in this classic tale of Charlie Brown and his friends going out for trick or treats and seeing Charlie Brown and his bag of rocks while everybody else gets candy and goodies; Linus and Sally waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive while Charlie Brown and the gang get invited to Violet's Halloween party.
The scene where Sally really gives Linus the scolding of his life is the best of this holiday special where Sally misses Halloween and Treats while calling Linus "You Blockhead!" while sitting all night in a pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arrive but instead rises Snoopy from the patch.
I heard there is a soundtrack album to this television special too."It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" aired annually on CBS from 1966 until 2000 with ABC picking up the rights beginning in 2001(as with all of the Peanuts specials)where it airs annually during the Halloween season.
Charlie Brown actually gets invited to a party, the kids are making their costumes, and Linus, slightly mixed up in the area of "which holiday figure goes where" is eagerly awaiting the "Great Pumpkin" and his sack of toys for the good kids and convinces Sally to bypass Trick-or-Treating and wait with him in a pumpkin patch.
The kids go out for Candy, Charlie Brown gets a bag of rocks, the party goes on as planned,and Linus is left sleeping in the pumpkin patch with Sally unleashing her wrath upon him after missing all the fun waiting for something that just wasn't going to happen.
While the rest of the Peanuts gang are preparing for their usual Halloween rituals, Linus is busy writing his letter to 'The Great Pumpkin', a figure who is seems to be a cross between Santa Claus and Pumpkinhead who he believes gives Halloween presents only to kids that really deserve it.
He is ridiculed by everyone apart from Sally who is the only one who will join him in the pumpkin patch.The trick-or-treating goes well for everyone apart from poor Charlie Brown who is only given rocks.
From the scene where Snoopy is fighting the red baron, to when Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) is informed that he was supposed to be placed on a black list of people not to invite at the party (by the way, the only other person who does that is Joseph McCarthy) to the scenes where Linus Van Pelt (Christopher Shea) waits for the great pumpkin, this short has everything you could want.
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is a timeless animated family animated classic.
This cute cartoon short is sure to please the kids (and a few adults) on Halloween.After recently re-watching this film short, I can't decide who I felt more sorry for Charlie Brown, who kept getting rocks instead of candy for Halloween treats, or Linus, who still did not see the Great Pumpkin rising out of the pumpkin patch...
lol.If you or your kids have not seen this timeless Peanuts classic then you should give this short film a watch this Halloween season - it's sure to give you a few giggles.10/10.
So come Halloween night, the gang is all dressed up, including Charlie Brown as a Swiss-cheese ghost, and Linus sits in the patch, and waits.
Another Halloween has come and gone, but I still urge you to see It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...even though this special was more about Linus than CB.
As Sally, Charlie's younger sister wants to stay by her sweet baboo Linus, who wants to see the Great Pumpkin Patch or the Santa Claus of the Halloween.Charlie gets invited to a party thrown by Violet.
Ahhh." To Snoopy's WWI Flying Ace and his crawl through "war time France." And who can forget Linus and Sally in the Pumpkin Patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin to rise.
Sure some of us like the slasher flicks and what not, but I'll take my "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" over them all..
Then there is the fact that it combines Halloween and Santa Clause, and after that, when you go back and watch it when you are older, jaded and a cynical like myself you notice other things.First off Charlie Brown NEVER gets any candy, all he gets is rocks in his bag, basically stating that life is just a series of disappointments.
Second, Linus hangs out all night giving up trick or treating and a party at Violet's house and the Great Pumpkin never shows.
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is not that great, but it's still entertaining enough to watch after all these years.
Schulz, this special tells the story of Linus Van Pelt (Voiced by Chris Shea), the best friend of Charlie Brown (Voiced by Peter Robbins) as he tries to stick to his beliefs on Halloween, no matter what others may think of him.
A various religious interpretations of Linus' sincere belief in the Great Pumpkin has come out since this animated special.
The Peanuts Halloween special from 1966 concentrates mainly on Linus' idea of getting ready to welcome The Great Pumpkin making his visit for this very special time of the year.