It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown

Plot synopsis:
It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is composed of several Christmas-themed story lines, all taken directly from the Peanuts comic strip:
Charlie Brown tries to sell wreaths door-to-door.
Peppermint Patty worries about her Christmas book report.
Peppermint Patty and Marcie attend a performance of Handel's Messiah. The following day at school, Peppermint Patty writes about the performance. Neither her nor Marcie know Handel's first name, so Peppermint Patty credits the piece to "Joe Handel."
Snoopy becomes a Santa on the street, Lucy and Sally beg to differ.
Woodstock and his bird friends play chamber music inside a snowman's hat.
Charlie Brown tries to explain the true meaning of Christmas to Sally (who is convinced that the true meaning of Christmas is "getting all you can get while the getting is good") when she is writing a letter to Santa, but she tunes them out. She also writes to Mrs. Claus, Mary Christmas.
Snoopy, Woodstock and his friends dance with the candy canes that were on Charlie Brown's tree.
Sally goes to Linus's house for the meaning of Christmas and complains to Linus about calling birds in "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Linus tells Sally about Albert Schweitzer and how he disliked Christmas presents because he "hated to write thank-you notes." Sally asks who Albert Schweitzer was.
Charlie Brown sells his entire comic book collection in order to buy Peggy Jean a nice pair of gloves, only to find that she has already bought a pair.
The kids participate in a Christmas play, where Marcie plays The Virgin Mary, Franklin gets the role of Gabriel, Peppermint Patty reluctantly plays a sheep, and Sally, who has to say the line "Hark!" in the same play to summon a herald angel, inadvertently yells "Hockey stick!". Later, Harold (herald) Angel drops by to visit Charlie Brown, looking for Sally.
In the final scene, Lucy tells Linus to get up from the beanbag, but Linus refuses, saying that they remembered the time when they opened presents under the Christmas tree, and thinking that why they haven't been nice all day. Lucy angrily tells him that he's driving her crazy. The film ends with Linus saying, "Joy to the world".

Tags: psychedelic

Review:
The only thing this short has going over its predecessor is the animation has improved.
However, considering that the animation of the original Charlie Brown Christmas isn't really something to get worked up over, it leaves little room for this short to be as relevant.The characters are still as sweet, but the first one spent a lot of time dealing with the anxiety of the season while this one just kind of presented it as it is.
The first one had a lot to say, this one didn't.Most importantly, the first one was funnier.Not that this isn't an enjoyable experience by any means.
When compared to the original Charlie Brown Christmas this movie seems to be less social commentary and more an excuse for gags.
It's more cartoonish and has more obvious laughs rather than any irony or important things to say.There's another Xmas play in this 'un.
Peppermint Patty is refusing to do any homework and is annoyed that Marcie is playing Mary and she is left with the thankless role of a sheep.
Charlie Brown is selling his old comics to buy an Xmas present for his wannabe girlfriend and his sister Sally has only one word to say in the play 'HARK' but she ends up yelling 'HOCKEY STICK' instead.More like a series of Peanuts vignettes than a real TV special.
I found it as an EXTRA on the DVD of the original "Charlie Brown Christmas".
My problem with this special is the fact there isn't really one major story driving the special.
What we get is a bunch Charles Schultz Comics brought to life That would not of been too bad had the little vintage been a little more heart warming.
One thing that is clear is that Peppermint Patty and Marci are definitely waving the rainbow flag.
I just wish that this special was better..
A very funny holiday special..
This 1992 Peanuts special does not have the appeal of its classic predecessor, but it updates the characters and situations with flair.
Blending new characters with the classic gang of youthful cynics, Charles Schulz again pokes fun at the commercialism of the Yuletide season.
While not as cohesive or poignant as "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "It's Christmastime Again" is much, much funnier..
Times Change, So Did Charles Schultz.
Ask yourself: "What is the appeal of Peanuts?" Hallmark still manufactures porcelain collectors' vignettes, plush dolls, ornaments, and cards in great quantities, although new segments of the comic strip are no longer being created, at the strip's creator's (Schultz') request.
I believe that for most children, beyond the animated characters, the music, and short, comedic skits, much of the depth of Peanuts and its holiday specials is lost.Today, the specials are increasingly dated both in their look and content.
I recall the first time I saw the original Charlie Brown Christmas special in the 1970s.
The storyline was too fragmented for easy comprehension, and the concept of an aluminum Christmas tree simply too strange for words for a child who had known only real trees.
I took it as some left-over joke from the nineteen fifties.The original Charlie Brown Christmas special's message seemed to assert the pretense of philosophical depth, but spoke more to the trials of a lonely child seeking the approval of his peers.
What I recall most is thinking how much I loved the music, and that it would be fantastic to be able to play some of it myself.
(I memorized "Linus and Lucy" on keyboard many years later, and manage to produce a version of "Christmas Time is Here" on flute.) I saw the Thanksgiving Day special in its time, and now reminisce about the old station wagons, and how the manufacturers were always rearranging the way the back seat(s) would fold down to try to create buyer interest.
I still enjoy the final scene of the Thanksgiving special, and permit my own dog to join me for Thanksgiving dinner.
In today's SUV/mini-van era, the scene at the end of the Thanksgiving special probably makes children wonder what type of vehicle Charlie Brown's parents' could possibly own.I have been forced to conclude that what the Charlie Brown specials offer most poignantly is an opportunity to look back at children living in a place of idealized innocence that never was a part of life in America, and to induce an element of whimsy and longing for this version of childhood re-made through the eyes of an adult.
Even the neighborhood, with its relatively small and boxlike houses near an area sufficiently rural for a pumpkin patch and a Christmas tree farm to be accessible to small children is a thing of the past that is unknown in today's sprawling cities with high crime rates and an inclination toward large, upscale, and often cookie cutter housing.The original Christmas special incorporated religious themes, which was expected to sink its ratings.
By casting off the deeper emotional and cultural underpinnings of the holiday season, it was inevitable that what would result would be less a classic holiday special than a cartoon for children.I don't rent or await the broadcast of this special.
The original, with its pure Guaraldi soundtrack and courage to be different, even religious, although I am not a religious person, still strikes at deeper, human chords than most cartoons.
It is a story about the journey of a group of "wee folks" toward a better comprehension of each other, the season, and their own motivations, amid a flurry of Yuletide activities.
They come together at the end better than they were before.
In that ending, with its symbolic chorus, the meaning of Christmas is communicated.
That was an ending for the Christmas season that is impossible to top..
Good follow-up to a classic holiday special.
In my opinion, this is a good follow-up to a classic holiday special.
Also, when Sally (voice of Jodie Sweetin) messed up her line in the Christmas play, I laughed.
In addition, the thing that really makes this special worth watching is the music, especially "Linus And Lucy." When that song is performed, I always get warm and tingly.
I would have to say that's my favorite song of this special.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this good follow-up to a classic holiday special to everyone, especially all you fans of the comic strip who have not seen it.
When you see it, prepare to smile and have a good time..
Charlie and Snoopy are always fun to watch.
Charlie Brown screams Why can't I ever be a wrong number?.
If you love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, you will definitely enjoy this extra Christmas special along with the original Christmas Special which became an annual tradition on television.
I enjoyed watching Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang back.
I just love watching Charlie Brown selling Christmas wreaths before Thanksgiving.
Peppermint Patty asking about a book to read for a school report..
Fun Christmas Special.
"It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown" takes several stories from the comic strip such as Charlie Brown selling Christmas wreaths; getting gloves for Peggy Jean; Marcie going out to play a sheep instead of playing Mary on a Christmas play; etc.
The special itself is no "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but I do believe that this special is funny and it is fun to see the Peanuts gang as they have always been iconic to pop culture.
The animation is really well done, and I really enjoy for each character as we see them for what they are going through during the Christmas holidays.
If you don't like this one as much as "A Charlie Brown Christmas" that is fine, but I do think its a fun Christmas special and it might be my second favorite Christmas special by the Peanuts gang.
I don't know how many Christmas specials that feature the Peanuts, but might go into further detail on what is my second favorite Christmas special by the Peanuts gang.
I give "It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown" a 9 out of 10..
Much better than the original.
I like this one better than the one we all grew up with.
Coca-Cola asked CBS to make a Christmas special so that they could advertise their product.
So much for the "commercialization of Christmas"!
So the people who made the special, as well as the network people, did not like what they produced.
I think it would have been a hit regardless because Peanuts was very popular already, and there were only three networks back then.
There were not as many Christmas specials back then, either.
I'm not saying it was bad, but it could have been better if they had more time on it.
Obviously it has a lot of charm and also was the first Peanuts special so that makes it unique.This one is more like the comic strip (short vignettes strung together), and it looks like they took more time with it.
It moves faster than the original, is funnier, is not as religious, and has better music.
Even though I am not a kid, I liked it a lot.The original was very slow-moving, and it is heavy with Christian sentiment.
The music was good, but this newer one uses a lot of classical music as well, which I enjoyed.
Charlie Brown struggles to sell Christmas wreaths door to door.
Peppermint Patty is trying to read a book.
Sally tries to write a letter to Santa and tries to understand Christmas.
Charlie Brown is trying to buy a pair of gloves for Peggy Jean.
Peppermint Patty volunteers to be Mary in the school play but the role is already given to Marcie.It's a scattering of Christmas themed sketches.
This is in-line with the other Charlie Brown shows where distinct separate cartoon skits are lump together.
The story is certainly not as compelling as the original 65 Christmas special.
However, it is still Charlie Brown and has that innocent charm as always..
A Christmas Special that just is not a strong one.
It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown this is a new original Christmas special from The peanut gang Now I'll give them a B for effort but this one just don't do just as well as the classic Charlie Brown Christmas not at all I wouldn't even say it comes close other than Snoopy's bits this special just don't hold much but as a Peanut Fan I try to give it the benefit of a doubt While the film does have something to hold your interest it just has moments of face palm that makes you wonder what were they thinking?After watching it on DVD it wasn't quite as well as I had hoped for.My best opinion about this Christmas special for Charlie Brown,Snoopy and the other Peanut gang is that it's okayIt does feature good animation as always with good hand drawn animationthe voice acting is mix at best plus some of the characters The story is up and down the opening was the best part of the film Overall I give It's Christmastime Again,Charlie Brown an 7 out of 10.
So much better, yet not nearly as good.
It's the gang's second Christmas special, and everyone is in a rhythm this time around.
The animation is much more polished, the direction is fluid, and the jokes come quickly and with such regularity it's surprising this wasn't sponsored by an oat bran product.
Yes, this special is much more in line with the Saturday morning cartoons of the day than with the story-oriented specials of years past.
And because of that, it's perfectly suited for a fun family holiday special.But for all this outing does right, it has no soul -- none at all.
In the original, Charlie Brown lamented the commercialization of Christmas; in this one he embraces it.
In the original, the jokes flowed from the characters (e.g., Snoopy mimicking Lucy); in this one it's all interchangeable punchlines (Sally sounds remarkably like Lucy in this outing).What it really boils down to is depth.
It's just jokes, just vignettes, just a contractual obligation to churn out another special.
The original dared to explore what it would take to get a perpetual optimist to give up on Christmas; this one is about buying gifts and memorizing lines for a Christmas play.
Again, it's Saturday morning cartoon fodder.We watch this one every year, and the kids enjoy it well enough.
And now that I'm older, I long for stories rather than just jokes.
So yes, we watch this one every year, but to me there is only one Peanuts Christmas "special"..
I have noticed that several viewers have given this film a low marking because they compare it to the special made in 1965.
I say don't watch this one and compare it to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Just sit back and take a break from the other Christmas films that get played over and over again over the Holidays.
Snoopy once again, as in all the Peanuts Specials, steals the show.
Snoopy with the candy canes, as the Santa Claus, and putting the gloves to good use is priceless.
Who can forget Sally only having to say "Hark" for her single line of the Christmas play and blowing it?
Also, Pepper Mint Patty's question about Mary wearing glasses is a nice touch all because she's angry about being a sheep.
In the end leave it to Linus to put the finishing touches on this treat, "Joy To The World!" Charles Shultz and Charlie Brown do not fail in this film.
Watch this one and the original around the time Christmas rolls around.
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and our friend Charles Shultz make Christmas more enjoyable..
Sub par to the original.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of those timeless classics that teach you the value Christmas and just enjoying the holiday.
It tries to capture the emotion of A Charlie Brown Christmas, there even is another Christmas play, but fails with lackluster and easy jokes.
Charlie Brown is no longer wondering about the spirit of Christmas but is instead wants to buy a present for Peggy Jean ($25 gloves...what?).
His sister Sally is the most annoying character in the movie.
Here is one of her jokes: Sally wants to write a letter to Santa, but doesn't know how to spell Charlie (for some reason he needs to be in her letter) so instead decides to name him Sam, because she knows how to spell Sam. Also, Sally plays an angel in the play with one word to day: "Hark!" She instead says hockey stick (har har).
If Sally saying hark 12 times (all oddly sounding exactly the same) doesn't kill you, nothing will.
Peppermint Patty and Marcy are a large focal point, but that hardly makes it better.
Marcy is funny with her responses to Patty, but Patty is another story.
She sounds like a boy (which doesn't dispel the rumors) and gets mad when she has to be the sheep in the play (terrible baas and all).
All in all, it tries to be a parasite to the original, but compromised the message for a few quick laughs..
This is another Peanuts cartoon from quite a while ago, actually almost 25 years, but given the first of these came out almost 50 years ago, it's not really that long.
The director is Bill Melendez and he made several Peanuts films, the writer is Charles M.
Anyway, it's Christmas time again and it's really more of the usual.
The kids are preparing a play and there is lots of talk of the commercial aspects of the holidays against the real tradition.
However, this topic was also significant in one of the very old Peanuts cartoons if I remember correctly, so it's a bit of beating a dead horse.
I have never been the biggest Peanuts fan, but i enjoy some of these cartoons nonetheless.
A very funny and enjoyable Peanuts Noel holiday special.
The Peanuts gang return for this breezy and entertaining romp.
The ever-hapless Charlie Brown tries without any success to sell wreaths door to door in order to raise twenty-five dollars so he can buy a gift for the adorable Peggy Jean, Peppermint Patty struggles with a book report, Sally tries to memorize the one line she has to say in the upcoming Christmas play, and Snoopy gets into his usual mischief which includes posing as a sidewalk Santa.
The voice actors all do fine work, with stand-out contributions from John Christian Graas as the precocious Linus, Lindsay Benesh as bespectacled brainiac Marcie, and Deanna Tollo as the sweet Peggy Jean.
The Christmas play rates as a definite hilarious highlight, with Peppermint Patty forgetting her one line as a sheep ("Baaa!").
Granted, this program isn't as poignant or thoughtful as the terrific classic original, but it still makes for a perfectly amiable diversion just the same..
This was a sequel of "It's Christmas, Charlie Brown" made in 1993.
This one isn't as good, but it's somewhat funnier and lacks the slightly heavy handed message from the original.It doesn't have a plot; it's more like a set of vignettes from Charles Schulz's comics from the 1980's and early 90's that have to do with Christmas (similar to his Saturday morning cartoon from the 1980's).Highlights include the great segment on the gang's Passion Play performance where Sally Brown has to say "Hark" and instead says "Hockey Stick" because she saw her brother holding one most of the day before, Charlie Brown wanting to buy a $25 set of gloves for his friend Peggy Jean, and Charlie Brown selling Xmas wreaths.
The Sally Brown character is a very dominant character in this one, and honestly, I've always been a Sally Brown mark, so that's why I might like this one more than others; her ditzy behaviour in the comics was always a treat.All in all, it's not the original, but it's still a good one.