The trailer for the upcoming peanuts gang film “The Peanuts Movie” started me thinking that not everyone may be into scary Halloween movies, so I decided to share a favorite TV special from childhood, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”.
“The Peanuts Movie” opens November 6th and is from the genius imagination of Peanuts/Charlie Brown creator, Charles M. Schultz. In this trailer, we hear from the creators of “The Peanuts Movie” about Schultz’s drawing style and concepts. This film will be the Peanut gang’s big screen debut.
Now, without further adieu, let’s find out what the gang’s up to in -“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
The plot revolves around Charlie’s best friend Linus’ belief in the Great Pumpkin who supposedly comes to the pumpkin patch to reward faithful boys and girls. Despite everyone telling Linus what a fool he is for his conviction, he still keeps the faith. Unfortunately, the night is a complete bust for Charlie who with his bad luck always gets a rock (Maybe it’s because of his jacked up ghost costume with eight million holes in it.) and Linus who never meets the elusive Great Pumpkin.
As a child, I remember one of the most important decisions of Halloween being the selection of just the right costume so you can proudly walk up to your neighbors doors screaming, “trick or treat!” Opening up your bag and gleefully anticipating scoring one of your favorite Halloween treats. For me, it was always Snickers, hands down.
There’s nothing worse than the wrong costume coupled with lousy treats. And in Charlie Brown’s case, a stupid rock. Great, thanks a lot!
Another crucial choice of the Halloween tradition is picking and carving just the right pumpkin. This is how Miss Lucy Van Pelt handles a pumpkin and her little brother, Linus. Plus, the gang gets a little fright in the pumpkin patch. But, how much fun would the evening be without a little ghosts and goblins scare.
We were first introduced to Charlie and the gang in the television premiere of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which still remains a perennial favorite. In my house, to this day, “Charlie Brown” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are required viewing as part of the official Christmas season. The television special was based on the comic stripPeanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the program made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965.
With the success of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, other specials were developed featuring the lovable Peanuts Gang. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was the third Peanuts special and its’ initial broadcast took place on October 27, 1966.
For me, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” brings back fond memories of those magical childhood days and offers up a laugh or two along the way.
October holds a special place in my holiday heart because I get to celebrate my favorite day of the year, Halloween. Just picture it. A darkened theater, a bucket of popcorn, sitting terrified and curled up in a ball; just for the scare of it!
‘Cause this is thriller, thriller night.’
An essential part of the ritual is breaking out my awesome Halloween decorations and filling up the trick or treater candy bowl with first-class, yummy confections. Envisioning kid’s faces as I proudly hand out M&M’s, Reese Cups, Skittles and no candy bowl would be complete without my personal choice – Snickers! As a seasoned Halloween aficionado, the mood wouldn’t be complete without a spooktacular horror classic marathon streaming on the big screen TV!
The ultimate Halloween night experience would include waiting in line with fellow enthusiasts to enjoy a horror classic on the big screen. The first scary movie I remember seeing as a kid is William Castle’s “House on Haunted Hill” and man was I thrilled to be able to re-live my first time when a friend told me a neighborhood theater had a special Halloween presentation of my beloved “House on Haunted Hill”. Cherry on the top was that they also sponsored a Best Costume competition and Best Scream Award. It was everything I could hope for; even performing the movie’s gimmick, the flying skeleton!
Vincent Price in ‘House on Haunted Hill’
This Halloween, movie friends, Turner Classic Movies and Fathom Events is presenting in select theaters nationwide, a special double feature screening of the 1931 Universal Horror Classic, Dracula starring Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler as Mina Harker. Based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. In addition to the original, moviegoers will also enjoy the added treat of the Spanish version starring Carlos Villarías as Conde Drácula and Lupita Tovar as Eva Seward.
Long thought lost, a print of Spanish Dracula was discovered in the 1970s and restored. I own and love my Legacy Collection DVD which was released in 2004 and contains both versions. The collection also includes – Dracula’s Daughter (1936) Son of Dracula (1943) starring Universal’s Wolfman, Lon Chaney, Jr. and House of Dracula (1945). A must-own addition for every classic horror movie fan’s collection. For ticket information about the Dracula Double Feature, check out Fathom Events or your local theater.
Trivia: For a period of time in Hollywood, studios would produce Spanish language version films for overseas distribution, using the same sets. Tod Browning directed the English production which was shot during the day. George Melford (who did not speak Spanish) was the director for the Spanish version, filming during the evening. The Spanish crew had the advantage of watching the English dailies when they came in for the evening, and they would figure out better camera angles and more effective use of lighting in an attempt to “top” it. There are critics who believe the Spanish production was better, incorporating more interesting and varied camera angles and perspective. I agree with the critics point that this production explored more visual dimensions and created more overall excitement. It also had a sexier edge.
Dracula 1931 – Spanish Version
So, if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend adding this special event to your calendar. If you do attend, let me know your reaction in the comments.
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