The great irony of Halloween is that in subjecting ourselves to scares of the kitschy seasonal-grocery-aisle variety, we somehow inoculate ourselves, for a moment, the Irl horrors that so consistently plague us each day online in the news each day. But horror movies and other October-end entertainments aren’t necessarily always simply a distraction. Just as often they’re an honest expression of universal human anxieties, dressed up in a foul-smelling rubber mask from the ad-hoc aisles of your local Spirit Halloween retail outlet.
Why we love it: October is the ideal and most obvious time to revisit Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though each Halloween episode of the series is wonderful in its own way (shout-out to sexy-ghost Willow), it’s “Fear, Itself” that I still watch every year. The Scooby Gang finds themselves trapped inside a fraternity house of horrors, as fear demon “Gachnar” exploits their deepest anxieties I...
Why we love it: October is the ideal and most obvious time to revisit Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though each Halloween episode of the series is wonderful in its own way (shout-out to sexy-ghost Willow), it’s “Fear, Itself” that I still watch every year. The Scooby Gang finds themselves trapped inside a fraternity house of horrors, as fear demon “Gachnar” exploits their deepest anxieties I...
- 10/31/2023
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
“Happiness is a Warm Gun” isn’t the only connection between The Beatles and Peanuts. Both groups exemplified the optimism of the 1960s era. Charles M. Schulz’s Charlie Brown was so assured of positive outcomes he repeatedly tried to kick a field-goal-placed football held by the town’s resident five-cents-a-session psychiatrist, Lucy, in spite of the knowledge she would pull it out from under him at the last moment. He faced defeat and realized “the world didn’t come to an end.”
When Schulz’s comic strip moved into animated TV specials, much of that expectant wonder was expressed through the music. Jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi joined the Peanuts’ creative gang in 1964, when he was hired to score a TV documentary about Schulz, A Boy Named Charlie Brown. The documentary never aired, but jazz label Fantasy Records released the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack, Jazz Impressions of A Boy...
When Schulz’s comic strip moved into animated TV specials, much of that expectant wonder was expressed through the music. Jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi joined the Peanuts’ creative gang in 1964, when he was hired to score a TV documentary about Schulz, A Boy Named Charlie Brown. The documentary never aired, but jazz label Fantasy Records released the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack, Jazz Impressions of A Boy...
- 3/11/2023
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
The Score of ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ Was Lost — Now It’s Found, and Better Than Ever
Halloween has a soundtrack. It’s the shrieks, howls, and moans of a spooky sounds cassette. It’s the novelty songs from the era of late, late shows mingling with more straight-faced pop that dips a toe into the macabre and the supernatural. It’s the instrumentals that set the tone for the hauntings, possessions, and/or slashings of a favorite horror movie.
Yet, for decades, this seasonal backdrop was incomplete. The Halloween canon lacked one of its most vital recordings, its esprit de fall confined to annual television airings, home video releases, and one hard to find read-along storybook and record. You couldn’t add it to a costume party mixtape, couldn’t load it onto a playlist for a drive to the pumpkin patch. Which is a shame, because unlike so many of the pop hits retroactively adopted as Halloween standards, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s score for...
Yet, for decades, this seasonal backdrop was incomplete. The Halloween canon lacked one of its most vital recordings, its esprit de fall confined to annual television airings, home video releases, and one hard to find read-along storybook and record. You couldn’t add it to a costume party mixtape, couldn’t load it onto a playlist for a drive to the pumpkin patch. Which is a shame, because unlike so many of the pop hits retroactively adopted as Halloween standards, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s score for...
- 10/31/2022
- by Erik Adams
- Indiewire
The 1966 animated television special It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has become a perennial Halloween standard. Starring the Peanuts gang created by Charles M. Schulz, it is not, however, a horror classic. “It’s not even on the scale,” says film analyst and Peanuts historian Derrick Bang. “It’s too sweet and gentle. The only thing mildly spooky is the title credit sequence.” What the special lacked in fear it made up for in wonder. Much of that magic came from the music.
While Lucy, Linus, and even Snoopy come home with sacks of candy, Charlie Brown’s trick or treat bag is filled with rocks. That’s not how Halloween is supposed to roll. Lee Mendelson, co-creator of the Peanuts animated specials, brought in someone who could make it swing.
San Francisco Bay area jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi had been part of the Peanuts’ creative gang for two...
While Lucy, Linus, and even Snoopy come home with sacks of candy, Charlie Brown’s trick or treat bag is filled with rocks. That’s not how Halloween is supposed to roll. Lee Mendelson, co-creator of the Peanuts animated specials, brought in someone who could make it swing.
San Francisco Bay area jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi had been part of the Peanuts’ creative gang for two...
- 10/27/2022
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Peter Robbins, who was the first person to voice Charlie Brown in several “Peanuts” TV specials in the 1960s, has died. He was 65.
His family told Fox 5 San Diego on Tuesday that he died by suicide last week.
At 9 years old, Robbins first voiced Charlie Brown in “A Boy Named Charlie Brown,” which was a television documentary about “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz released in 1963. He followed that up with the holiday classics “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965 and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in 1966.
Throughout the ’60s, Robbins provided his voice for “Charlie Brown’s All Stars,” “You’re in Love, Charlie Brown,” “It’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown,” “It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown” and the 1969 feature film “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” The film was directed by veteran animator Bill Melendez, who also provided the voices of Snoopy and Woodstock in dozens of TV specials,...
His family told Fox 5 San Diego on Tuesday that he died by suicide last week.
At 9 years old, Robbins first voiced Charlie Brown in “A Boy Named Charlie Brown,” which was a television documentary about “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz released in 1963. He followed that up with the holiday classics “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965 and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in 1966.
Throughout the ’60s, Robbins provided his voice for “Charlie Brown’s All Stars,” “You’re in Love, Charlie Brown,” “It’s Your Dog, Charlie Brown,” “It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown” and the 1969 feature film “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” The film was directed by veteran animator Bill Melendez, who also provided the voices of Snoopy and Woodstock in dozens of TV specials,...
- 1/26/2022
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a holiday tradition. That tradition will continue this year…in a slightly different way.
In October, Apple TV+ acquired the rights to all of the Peanuts holiday specials including “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It’s understandable why Apple would want to nab exclusive rights to a beloved IP, but the acquisition also raised some concerns about classic children’s programming going behind corporate paywalls and becoming unavailable to the public at large.
Thankfully, it would appear that Apple heard those concerns and registered them. In November, the company announced that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be receiving special broadcast airings on PBS in addition to its Apple TV+ premiere. Here is everything you need to know about when and where you can find “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this holiday season.
Those who want to watch the special on traditional, terrestrial TV, like the TV gods intended,...
In October, Apple TV+ acquired the rights to all of the Peanuts holiday specials including “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It’s understandable why Apple would want to nab exclusive rights to a beloved IP, but the acquisition also raised some concerns about classic children’s programming going behind corporate paywalls and becoming unavailable to the public at large.
Thankfully, it would appear that Apple heard those concerns and registered them. In November, the company announced that “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be receiving special broadcast airings on PBS in addition to its Apple TV+ premiere. Here is everything you need to know about when and where you can find “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this holiday season.
Those who want to watch the special on traditional, terrestrial TV, like the TV gods intended,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This year marks a unique Thanksgiving, to be sure. With the pandemic carrying on, families and loved ones across the United States are testing out new ways to celebrate a national holiday that might be best described as food, football, and then, of course, more food. For some that means outdoor gatherings are the order of the day; for others it will mean the first time you might be cutting turkey while wearing a mask.
However you might wish to celebrate the holiday though, gathering with loved ones around a movie never goes out of style. For that reason, we’ve gathered the best Thanksgiving movies to choose from. Some of these films are truly beloved holiday classics, and others might be less obviously about Thanksgiving, even as they wear their affection for the holiday on their sleeves. And yet others still will offer the rare respite: a streak of...
However you might wish to celebrate the holiday though, gathering with loved ones around a movie never goes out of style. For that reason, we’ve gathered the best Thanksgiving movies to choose from. Some of these films are truly beloved holiday classics, and others might be less obviously about Thanksgiving, even as they wear their affection for the holiday on their sleeves. And yet others still will offer the rare respite: a streak of...
- 11/21/2020
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Lee Mendelson, the prolific Emmy-winning producer of more than 50 animated Peanuts TV specials, including A Charlie Brown Christmas, has died. He was 86.
Mendelson died on Christmas Day in Hillsborough, California, following a protracted battle with lung cancer, his family told the Palo Alto Daily Post.
Mendelson imported comic strip characters Cathy and Garfield to television success but his signature career moment came in December 1965 when he brought Charles Schulz’s legendary Peanuts characters to the small screen in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The half-hour animated special with the $96,000 budget aired originally on CBS and would become a beloved touchstone of the holiday season, yield a bestselling jazz album, and win the Emmy and Peabody awards.
Mendelson also wrote the lyrics to the 1965 special’s ethereal Christmas Time Is Here, with music composed by Vince Guaraldi and performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.
Mendelson died on Christmas Day in Hillsborough, California, following a protracted battle with lung cancer, his family told the Palo Alto Daily Post.
Mendelson imported comic strip characters Cathy and Garfield to television success but his signature career moment came in December 1965 when he brought Charles Schulz’s legendary Peanuts characters to the small screen in A Charlie Brown Christmas. The half-hour animated special with the $96,000 budget aired originally on CBS and would become a beloved touchstone of the holiday season, yield a bestselling jazz album, and win the Emmy and Peabody awards.
Mendelson also wrote the lyrics to the 1965 special’s ethereal Christmas Time Is Here, with music composed by Vince Guaraldi and performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.
- 12/27/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Lee Mendelson, who produced several “Peanuts” and “Garfield” television specials, died at his home in Hillsborough, Calif. on Christmas Day after a battle with lung cancer, according to Palo Alto’s Daily Post.
Mendelson is also known for writing the lyrics to “Christmastime Is Here” from the 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The producer was born in 1933 and began his career in television in 1961 while working at San Francisco’s Kpix-tv. In 1963, he started Lee Mendelson Productions in Burlingame, Calif., according to his website. That same year, following a hit on NBC with a documentary called “A Man Named Mays” made by Mendelson and cinematographer and editor Sheldon Fay Jr., the two made their first Charlie Brown special, “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” What followed was a 38-year long relationship with “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz and animator Bill Melendez that lead to over 50 “Peanuts” specials.
Also Read: Jerry Herman,...
Mendelson is also known for writing the lyrics to “Christmastime Is Here” from the 1965 TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The producer was born in 1933 and began his career in television in 1961 while working at San Francisco’s Kpix-tv. In 1963, he started Lee Mendelson Productions in Burlingame, Calif., according to his website. That same year, following a hit on NBC with a documentary called “A Man Named Mays” made by Mendelson and cinematographer and editor Sheldon Fay Jr., the two made their first Charlie Brown special, “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” What followed was a 38-year long relationship with “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz and animator Bill Melendez that lead to over 50 “Peanuts” specials.
Also Read: Jerry Herman,...
- 12/27/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
This story was originally published on December 9, 2015
The legend goes like this: In 1963, producer Lee Mendelson made a documentary about Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, for which he needed music. One night, Mendelson was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, tuned into a San Francisco jazz station. “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” came on the air, a drifting cut where melodies appear and then disappear, and bouncing elation is matched by tiny moments of despair. The track was pianist Vince Guaraldi’s mini-hit that year, and Mendelson was struck...
The legend goes like this: In 1963, producer Lee Mendelson made a documentary about Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, for which he needed music. One night, Mendelson was driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, tuned into a San Francisco jazz station. “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” came on the air, a drifting cut where melodies appear and then disappear, and bouncing elation is matched by tiny moments of despair. The track was pianist Vince Guaraldi’s mini-hit that year, and Mendelson was struck...
- 12/27/2019
- by Liz Pelly
- Rollingstone.com
Lee Mendelson, the six-time Emmy winner who produced more than 60 TV specials, films and other projects featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, has died. He was 86.
Mendelson died on Christmas Day of congestive heart failure at his home in Hillsborough, California, after a long battle with cancer, his son Jason Mendelson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Working often with the late Bill Melendez (the only animator permitted by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to work with the iconic characters), Mendelson collected his first Emmy in 1966 for A Charlie Brown Christmas — he wrote the lyrics to "...
Mendelson died on Christmas Day of congestive heart failure at his home in Hillsborough, California, after a long battle with cancer, his son Jason Mendelson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Working often with the late Bill Melendez (the only animator permitted by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to work with the iconic characters), Mendelson collected his first Emmy in 1966 for A Charlie Brown Christmas — he wrote the lyrics to "...
- 12/27/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Lee Mendelson, the six-time Emmy winner who produced more than 60 TV specials, films and other projects featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, has died. He was 86.
Mendelson died on Christmas Day of congestive heart failure at his home in Hillsborough, California, after a long battle with cancer, his son Jason Mendelson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Working often with the late Bill Melendez (the only animator permitted by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to work with the iconic characters), Mendelson collected his first Emmy in 1966 for A Charlie Brown Christmas — he wrote the lyrics to "...
Mendelson died on Christmas Day of congestive heart failure at his home in Hillsborough, California, after a long battle with cancer, his son Jason Mendelson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Working often with the late Bill Melendez (the only animator permitted by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to work with the iconic characters), Mendelson collected his first Emmy in 1966 for A Charlie Brown Christmas — he wrote the lyrics to "...
- 12/27/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Don Lusk, an animator behind “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan,” and many more classic animated Disney movies, died Sunday morning, according to a Facebook post by Ed Asner’s daughter, Navah Paskowitz-Asner. He was 105.
Lusk’s 60-year career touched countless classic works from Disney, where his career began in 1933. There he worked his animation magic on famous titles including 1938’s “Ferdinand the Bull,” 1942’s “Bambi,” 1950’s “Cinderella,” 1955’s “Lady and the Tramp,” 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty,” and 1961’s “101 Dalmatians.” Some of his most memorable work includes Cleo the goldfish in 1940’s “Pinocchio” and the “Nutcracker Suite” fish dance in “Fantasia.”
After leaving Disney in 1960, he continued freelancing throughout the decade, working on several Charlie Brown specials beginning with 1969’s “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” and throughout the ’70s with “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!” and “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.” He also freelanced for Upa on the animated...
Lusk’s 60-year career touched countless classic works from Disney, where his career began in 1933. There he worked his animation magic on famous titles including 1938’s “Ferdinand the Bull,” 1942’s “Bambi,” 1950’s “Cinderella,” 1955’s “Lady and the Tramp,” 1959’s “Sleeping Beauty,” and 1961’s “101 Dalmatians.” Some of his most memorable work includes Cleo the goldfish in 1940’s “Pinocchio” and the “Nutcracker Suite” fish dance in “Fantasia.”
After leaving Disney in 1960, he continued freelancing throughout the decade, working on several Charlie Brown specials beginning with 1969’s “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” and throughout the ’70s with “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!” and “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.” He also freelanced for Upa on the animated...
- 12/31/2018
- by Margeaux Sippell
- Variety Film + TV
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither were the Peanuts animated shows, inspired by Charles M. Schulz’s long-running comic strip.
But when it came to outlining the entire concept for “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” which first aired in 1966, it was all hashed out by lunchtime, save a few scenes that were added after Schulz, director-producer Bill Melendez (also the voice of Snoopy) and executive producer Lee Mendelson finished their sandwiches.
“The reason we were able to do it in one day is that the main theme of the show had been in the comic strips for years,” Mendelson said during an interview with TheWrap in 2016.
Also Read: Ken Bone Inspires Sexy Halloween Costume That May Inspire Sexual Confusion (Photo)
Indeed, Schulz had already featured Linus in the pumpkin patch with Sally in his newspaper strip. “We just added a Halloween party, a trick-or-treat passage...
But when it came to outlining the entire concept for “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” which first aired in 1966, it was all hashed out by lunchtime, save a few scenes that were added after Schulz, director-producer Bill Melendez (also the voice of Snoopy) and executive producer Lee Mendelson finished their sandwiches.
“The reason we were able to do it in one day is that the main theme of the show had been in the comic strips for years,” Mendelson said during an interview with TheWrap in 2016.
Also Read: Ken Bone Inspires Sexy Halloween Costume That May Inspire Sexual Confusion (Photo)
Indeed, Schulz had already featured Linus in the pumpkin patch with Sally in his newspaper strip. “We just added a Halloween party, a trick-or-treat passage...
- 10/19/2018
- by Meriah Doty
- The Wrap
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither were the Peanuts animated shows, inspired by Charles M. Schulz’s long-running comic strip. But when it came to outlining the entire concept for “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” which first aired 50 years ago, it was all hashed out by lunchtime, save a few scenes that were added after Schulz, director-producer Bill Melendez (also the voice of Snoopy) and executive producer Lee Mendelson finished their sandwiches. “The reason we were able to do it in one day is that the main theme of the show had been in the comic strips for.
- 10/14/2016
- by Meriah Doty
- The Wrap
It's that time of year again, the time when you rewatch holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas and find yourself wondering if any of the other 44 Peanuts specials are worth your time. That's not a hypothetical figure, by the way: While several of the Charles Schulz–scripted and post-Schulz-era specials complain about the evils of consumerism, there are (to date) 45 Peanuts specials. Many of these short, frequently seasonal programs follow formulas established in the early specials, several of which were directed by Bill Melendez and scored by the inimitable Vince Guaraldi. But even some of the more recent shorts, like Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown, are fun, and all of them are available online (even the ones that have only been officially released on VHS tape, like Snoopy: The Musical). Still, while many Peanuts specials lack the early shorts' zeal for childlike play, certainly some are worth watching (or rewatching...
- 12/24/2015
- by Simon Abrams
- Vulture
The Peanuts Movie was a hit with both critics and audiences a few months ago. The film charmed movie-goers with the classic characters and an uplifting story that couldn.t help but make you smile. And, now, we know that the movie used one very special scene to make sure we remembered Peanuts history. It was a natural opportunity to resurrect some of the classic dance moves and also add new ones. We went back and studied what Bill Melendez [the animator who directed the Christmas special and provided the voices of Snoopy and Woodstock] had done and replicated that. They were so charming and entertaining. And we wanted to build on the tradition, so we added a handful of new dances, but in the same spirit.that simplistic, repetitive style of movement. The director of The Peanuts Movie, Steve Martino, relayed this information to The Hollywood Reporter. The scene ...
- 12/24/2015
- cinemablend.com
Colourful 3D animation brightens up the beloved creations of Charles Schulz, but the humour and observations remain the same
This return to the cinema for the stars of Charles M Schulz’s beloved comic strip has heritage credibility; it is co-written by Craig and Bryan Schulz (with Cornelius Uliano), respectively son and grandson of Charles, and uses archive recordings of Bill Melendez (the one person Schulz entrusted to bring his creations to the screen) to lend voice to Snoopy and Woodstock.
Fans of such classic screen incarnations as 1965’s TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas may balk at the colourful digital 3D that leads us into some loop-de-looping dogfights between Snoopy and the cursed Red Baron, but for the most part there’s a reassuring “go fly a kite” simplicity to the visuals; north of the 2D cut-outs of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut naturally, but still far, far...
This return to the cinema for the stars of Charles M Schulz’s beloved comic strip has heritage credibility; it is co-written by Craig and Bryan Schulz (with Cornelius Uliano), respectively son and grandson of Charles, and uses archive recordings of Bill Melendez (the one person Schulz entrusted to bring his creations to the screen) to lend voice to Snoopy and Woodstock.
Fans of such classic screen incarnations as 1965’s TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas may balk at the colourful digital 3D that leads us into some loop-de-looping dogfights between Snoopy and the cursed Red Baron, but for the most part there’s a reassuring “go fly a kite” simplicity to the visuals; north of the 2D cut-outs of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut naturally, but still far, far...
- 12/20/2015
- by Mark Kermode, Observer film critic
- The Guardian - Film News
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Here’s how The Peanuts Movie creators tried to honour the look and feel of Charles ‘Sparky’ Schulz’s original comic strips…
On a desk in a Santa Rosa office sits a red and gold box measuring 10x8cm. It dates from the 1940s, is one of only three such boxes in existence, and contains around a hundred of what comic book artist and creative director of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, Paige Braddock, calls “the holy grail of pen nibs”. These are the nibs used by Charles 'Sparky' Schulz to draw over 17,000 Peanuts comic strips.
When the R. Esterbrook Company stopped manufacturing Charles Schulz’s preferred 914 pen nibs, he bought up the remaining stock. Three boxes are all that remain; one on display at the Schulz Museum adjacent to his former studio, one kept in the studio safe, and the one we’re shown by Braddock,...
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Here’s how The Peanuts Movie creators tried to honour the look and feel of Charles ‘Sparky’ Schulz’s original comic strips…
On a desk in a Santa Rosa office sits a red and gold box measuring 10x8cm. It dates from the 1940s, is one of only three such boxes in existence, and contains around a hundred of what comic book artist and creative director of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, Paige Braddock, calls “the holy grail of pen nibs”. These are the nibs used by Charles 'Sparky' Schulz to draw over 17,000 Peanuts comic strips.
When the R. Esterbrook Company stopped manufacturing Charles Schulz’s preferred 914 pen nibs, he bought up the remaining stock. Three boxes are all that remain; one on display at the Schulz Museum adjacent to his former studio, one kept in the studio safe, and the one we’re shown by Braddock,...
- 12/11/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
I had the opportunity to speak with director Steve Martino about a film that is out in theaters, The Peanuts Movie, the first feature-length outing for Charles Schulz’s iconic characters. In 2008, Martino was one of the duo who directed Blue Sky Studios’ Horton Hears A Who!, a theatrical CGI adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ picture book. And in 2012 he also co-directed Ice Age: Continental Drift.
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved "Peanuts" gang make their big-screen debut, like they've never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world's most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron.
Here is what Martino had to say about the film. And below is our exclusive image from the film.
I wanted to...
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved "Peanuts" gang make their big-screen debut, like they've never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world's most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron.
Here is what Martino had to say about the film. And below is our exclusive image from the film.
I wanted to...
- 11/12/2015
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
At first glance, The Peanuts Movie seems like a bad idea. To take the classic, Bill Melendez–directed Peanuts specials of the 1960s and '70s — handmade, slight, charming little toss-offs that nevertheless have had a strangely enduring pull over the years — and adapt them for the hyperadrenalized, CGI, 3-D age feels like you’re crossing two streams that should never meet. So watching the film itself comes as something of a relief: Somehow, this Peanuts feels familiar, even cozy. I can’t make any great claims for it, but it feels like the return of an old friend. One thing that makes the Peanuts stories resonate so much has been their very wise, realistic understanding of human behavior. The appeal of Charlie Brown as a character, of course, is immediate: We all feel like him from time to time. Some of us more than others, sure, but go find the most popular,...
- 11/6/2015
- by Bilge Ebiri
- Vulture
Chicago – They didn’t screw it up, and that is good. Eschewing modern conventions or typical animation pop culture jokes, “The Peanuts Movie” honors its source (Charlie Brown and the gang) and its creator, Charles M. Schultz, in a joyous and nostalgic celebration.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The filmmakers – director Steve Martino (“Horton Hears a Who”) and writers Craig Schultz (Charles’s son), Bryan Schultz (grandson) and Cornelius Uliano – kept a philosophy of “Wwcsd” (What would Charles Schultz do?), and produced a animated feature that contains the best of what made “Peanuts” great. The look is as if the comic strip has sprung to life, especially in optional 3D, and the character voices and feel have the same warmth as the familiar TV specials (there are several references along the way to those treats as well). The story was incidental to the subplots that played like mini comic strips, featuring Good Ol’ Charlie Brown,...
Rating: 3.5/5.0
The filmmakers – director Steve Martino (“Horton Hears a Who”) and writers Craig Schultz (Charles’s son), Bryan Schultz (grandson) and Cornelius Uliano – kept a philosophy of “Wwcsd” (What would Charles Schultz do?), and produced a animated feature that contains the best of what made “Peanuts” great. The look is as if the comic strip has sprung to life, especially in optional 3D, and the character voices and feel have the same warmth as the familiar TV specials (there are several references along the way to those treats as well). The story was incidental to the subplots that played like mini comic strips, featuring Good Ol’ Charlie Brown,...
- 11/6/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, November 6. All synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise. Wide The Peanuts Movie Director: Steve Martino Cast: Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez, Venus Schultheis, Hadley Belle Miller, Madisyn Shipman, Francesca Capaldi, Noah Johnston, Alexander Garfin, Mariel Sheets, A.J. Tecce, Mar Mar, Rebecca Bloom, Anastasia Bredikhina, William Wunsch Synopsis: "Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved 'Peanuts' gang make their big-screen debut, like they’ve never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron." Criticwire Grade Average: B (4 reviews) Spectre Director: Sam Mendes Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Andrew Scott, Dave...
- 11/6/2015
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
The Peanuts Movie
Written by Bryan Schulz, Craig Schulz & Cornelius Uliano
Directed by Steve Martino
USA, 2015
The Peanuts Movie is like a warm blanket of nostalgia stitched together with modern technology. Crisp, beautiful animation highlights director Steve Martino’s ode to perseverance. Creator Charles M. Schulz would have praised the earnest purity of his classic characters, assuming the $100 million price tag didn’t render him speechless. The Peanuts Movie will enchant younger audiences with its spirit of adventure, while offering adults a welcome respite from irony and ugliness. Maybe Linus was onto something, because this security blanket never felt so good.
Charlie Brown (voiced by Noah Schnapp) may be a good man, but he can’t seem to catch a break. The local trees are littered with his failed attempts at kite flying (sometimes in the middle of winter), he has a standing therapy appointment at Lucy’s lemonade stand...
Written by Bryan Schulz, Craig Schulz & Cornelius Uliano
Directed by Steve Martino
USA, 2015
The Peanuts Movie is like a warm blanket of nostalgia stitched together with modern technology. Crisp, beautiful animation highlights director Steve Martino’s ode to perseverance. Creator Charles M. Schulz would have praised the earnest purity of his classic characters, assuming the $100 million price tag didn’t render him speechless. The Peanuts Movie will enchant younger audiences with its spirit of adventure, while offering adults a welcome respite from irony and ugliness. Maybe Linus was onto something, because this security blanket never felt so good.
Charlie Brown (voiced by Noah Schnapp) may be a good man, but he can’t seem to catch a break. The local trees are littered with his failed attempts at kite flying (sometimes in the middle of winter), he has a standing therapy appointment at Lucy’s lemonade stand...
- 11/6/2015
- by J.R. Kinnard
- SoundOnSight
It’s not the great reboot, Charlie Brown!
Just over a month into the 65th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown and his pet beagle have returned in a new, syrupy sweet, 3D animated adventure. The Peanuts Movie features the reliable forlorn Charlie Brown suddenly lovestruck by the arrival of a new girl in school, while Snoopy daydreams about flying against the Red Baron and winning the heart of a poofy, pink puppy named Fifi (whose wordless squeaks are voiced by Kristin Chenoweth, for a reason, we assume).
Coming out over 15 years removed from Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s death and the end of his iconic comic strip, The Peanuts Movie feels like a relic from a bygone era of languid kids entertainment. Co-writers Craig Schulz (Charles’ son), Bryan Schulz (Charles’ grandson), and Cornelius Uliano (no known relation) retain the wholesome, Americana appeal of the original comics and cartoons – talent shows,...
Just over a month into the 65th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown and his pet beagle have returned in a new, syrupy sweet, 3D animated adventure. The Peanuts Movie features the reliable forlorn Charlie Brown suddenly lovestruck by the arrival of a new girl in school, while Snoopy daydreams about flying against the Red Baron and winning the heart of a poofy, pink puppy named Fifi (whose wordless squeaks are voiced by Kristin Chenoweth, for a reason, we assume).
Coming out over 15 years removed from Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz’s death and the end of his iconic comic strip, The Peanuts Movie feels like a relic from a bygone era of languid kids entertainment. Co-writers Craig Schulz (Charles’ son), Bryan Schulz (Charles’ grandson), and Cornelius Uliano (no known relation) retain the wholesome, Americana appeal of the original comics and cartoons – talent shows,...
- 11/5/2015
- by Zachary Shevich
- We Got This Covered
Spectre – November 6
Director: Sam Mendes
Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux
Synopsis: A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre.
Analysis: The question on a lot of people’s minds going into Spectre will no doubt be “is it going to be as good as or better than Skyfall?” Skyfall was certainly an awesome Bond movie, but if there is one thing we can take away from oh say Quantum of Solace, it’s that we should take each Bond movie as a single experience and try not to compare them with each other. That’s what I do anyway and it really takes away from the expectations and makes for a more enjoyable time.
Director: Sam Mendes
Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux
Synopsis: A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind Spectre.
Analysis: The question on a lot of people’s minds going into Spectre will no doubt be “is it going to be as good as or better than Skyfall?” Skyfall was certainly an awesome Bond movie, but if there is one thing we can take away from oh say Quantum of Solace, it’s that we should take each Bond movie as a single experience and try not to compare them with each other. That’s what I do anyway and it really takes away from the expectations and makes for a more enjoyable time.
- 11/2/2015
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
'Tis the season to annoy everyone by using "'tis the season" way too many times when talking about holiday stuff. Halloween hasn't even happened yet, but the Christmas decorations are already taking over drug stores so ABC is just going ahead and announcing its 2015 holiday lineup. It's something to look forward to after the candy is gone, anyway, and since the "Toy Story 20th Anniversary Special" and "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" are involved, you should definitely mark your calendars.
Here's a chronological list of holiday programming highlights, via ABC:
Friday, November 27
"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" - In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman"), Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. The vocal cast features Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, Keenan Wynn as Winter,...
Here's a chronological list of holiday programming highlights, via ABC:
Friday, November 27
"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" - In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman"), Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others. The vocal cast features Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle, Keenan Wynn as Winter,...
- 10/21/2015
- by Gina Carbone
- Moviefone
Fox has released a new trailer for The Peanuts Movie, bringing Charlie Brown to CG-animated life on November 6 and this time we get a bit more of the story, plus a look at the voice cast. Directed by Steve Martino, it's quite clear the focus will be on character as they haven't brought in a bunch of big name celebrities to capture the audience's attention, but instead the voices will be provided by Noah Schnapp as Charlie Brown, Alex Garfin as Linus, Hadley Miller as Lucy, Mariel Sheets as Sally, Noah Johnston as Schroeder, Aj Tecce as Pig-Pen, Venus Schultheis as Peppermint Patty, Rebecca Bloom as Marcie, Mar Mar as Franklin and Madisyn Shipman as Violet. The archived voice of Bill Melendez will be used for both Snoopy and Woodstock. Here's the official synopsis: Snoopy, the world's most lovable beagle - and flying ace! - embarks upon his greatest mission...
- 6/16/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang from Charles M. Schulz's classic cartoon will make their big-screen debut in state of the art 3D animation when The Peanuts Movie hits theaters this year. Snoopy, the world’s most lovable beagle – and flying ace – embarks upon his greatest mission as he takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis The Red Baron, while his best pal, Charlie Brown, begins his own epic quest. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the Ice Age films, The Peanuts Movie will prove that every underdog has his day. Featuring the voices of Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Alexander Garfin, Aj Teece, Mariel Sheets, Noah Johnston, and Francesca Capaldi, along with Bill Melendez as Snoopy and Woodstock (from archival...
- 3/5/2015
- by Pietro Filipponi
- The Daily BLAM!
Peanuts Trailer 3. Steve Martino‘s Peanuts (2015) movie trailer 3 stars Bill Melendez and was written by Bryan Schulz, Craig Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. Peanuts‘ plot synopsis: based on Charles M. Schulz created characters, “Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved “Peanuts” gang make their big-screen debut, like [...]
Continue reading: Peanuts (2015) Movie Trailer 3: New Footage for Charles M. Schulz’s Characters...
Continue reading: Peanuts (2015) Movie Trailer 3: New Footage for Charles M. Schulz’s Characters...
- 1/6/2015
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Though the full trailer for the Peanuts animated movie from Blue Sky Animation has already debuted, with Charlie Brown, his loyal dog Snoopy, and the rest of the gang heading to the big screen, we had yet to hear who was providing the voices for the animated characters. Well, we already knew that archival recordings of Bill Melendez would be used for the voice of Snoopy and his bird friend Woodstock, but what about all the kids? Well, producer Paul Feig (director of Bridesmaids and the Ghostbusters reboot) took to "The Today Show" to reveal a cast of child actors lending their voices to all of Charles Schulz's iconic friends. Read on! Here's a photo Paul Feig posted to Twitter showing off all the kids in Peanuts (look at their t-shirts!): Just introduced the talented kids who will be the voices of the #PeanutsMovie on @TODAYshow. Thanks, @NMoralesNBC!
- 12/1/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
It’s not opening in theatres for another 12 months, but that doesn’t mean we can’t revel in the beauty of the wonderful Peanuts teaser trailer that has just been released. As the first theatrical Peanuts movie in 35 years, this glorious return to the world of Charlie Brown and Snoopy is sure to stir all kinds of feelings in those that recall the TV specials, while creating a whole generation of new fans.
Created by Charles M Schulz, Peanuts was originally a syndicated comic strip which ran from 1950 until 2000, when Schulz had prepared to retire due to ill health, but sadly passed away. At the height of its popularity – though, thanks to continued re-prints, it has never really waned – the strip was printed in more than 2,600 newspapers with a collective readership of 355 million.
The story centred around Charlie Brown – a nervous boy, lacking in self-confidence, and having little experience of anything.
Created by Charles M Schulz, Peanuts was originally a syndicated comic strip which ran from 1950 until 2000, when Schulz had prepared to retire due to ill health, but sadly passed away. At the height of its popularity – though, thanks to continued re-prints, it has never really waned – the strip was printed in more than 2,600 newspapers with a collective readership of 355 million.
The story centred around Charlie Brown – a nervous boy, lacking in self-confidence, and having little experience of anything.
- 11/18/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
A new teaser trailer for "Peanuts," the big-screen, 3-D, CGI take on the classic comics by Charles Schulz, is here, and while it's short on plot, it's stuffed with the characters you know and love.
The clip largely focuses on Snoopy, who takes flight and flees from the iconic Red Baron character, sailing his doghouse into the clouds and around the Eiffel Tower. That sequence is bookended by his sidekick Woodstock trying desperately to erect an elaborate Christmas light show on Snoopy's doghouse, a nod to the film's planned release during the 2015 holiday season.
There's only a short glimpse of Charlie Brown and the rest of his "Peanuts" cohorts, including Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie, but the teaser makes it count, featuring Chuck's "blockhead" literally blocking the rest of the group's view of the trailer. He spills his popcorn all over himself for good measure, too, invoking an exasperated "Good grief.
The clip largely focuses on Snoopy, who takes flight and flees from the iconic Red Baron character, sailing his doghouse into the clouds and around the Eiffel Tower. That sequence is bookended by his sidekick Woodstock trying desperately to erect an elaborate Christmas light show on Snoopy's doghouse, a nod to the film's planned release during the 2015 holiday season.
There's only a short glimpse of Charlie Brown and the rest of his "Peanuts" cohorts, including Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie, but the teaser makes it count, featuring Chuck's "blockhead" literally blocking the rest of the group's view of the trailer. He spills his popcorn all over himself for good measure, too, invoking an exasperated "Good grief.
- 11/18/2014
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
When Peanuts arrives in theaters on November 6, 2015, don't expect a "modern spin on a classic." Aside from its 3-D, computer generated trappings, the film will very much be a classic Peanuts story. Producer Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and the rest of the crew responsible for the film want assure audiences that they're going for something much more timeless with this film than other modern reboots we've seen in recent years.
In a talk with USA Today, all of the folks behind Peanuts say that this will be a movie that very much celebrates the same themes as the original specials and comic strips which have worked their way into our pop culture for so long. Director Steve Martino thinks there's always been a potent message of optimism in Charlie Brown's adventures, and that's something he wants to bring to a cinematic landscape where snark and cynicism are ruling the roost. "I...
In a talk with USA Today, all of the folks behind Peanuts say that this will be a movie that very much celebrates the same themes as the original specials and comic strips which have worked their way into our pop culture for so long. Director Steve Martino thinks there's always been a potent message of optimism in Charlie Brown's adventures, and that's something he wants to bring to a cinematic landscape where snark and cynicism are ruling the roost. "I...
- 11/17/2014
- by Mario-Francisco Robles
- LRMonline.com
Cats have invaded every corner of modern pop culture, from Internet memes to Taylor Swift's life—but there's one quintessential feline who's been a mainstay for generations. Jim Davis's Garfield has made lasagna and sarcasm synonymous with cats for over three decades, appearing in comics for 2,100 newspapers worldwide and 200 million readers (not to mention TV series and feature films). In a nostalgic reissue, Davis and his Garfield empire, Paws Inc., have compiled five Garfield holiday specials into one DVD: Garfield's Halloween Adventure, Garfield's Thanksgiving, A Garfield Christmas, Garfield on the Town, and Garfield in Paradise. To commemorate the occasion,...
- 11/4/2014
- by Teresa Jue
- EW.com - PopWatch
Oct. 27 marks the 48th anniversary of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the third Peanuts special. And people are still sitting in their pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin to deem them the most sincere: In 2013, seven million viewers tuned in to watch Lucy, Linus, Charlie Brown and of course, Snoopy. This year, Peanuts devotees can watch it along with a beautiful new hardcover edition of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: The Making of a Television Classic, out now from HarperCollins. The book is filled with anecdotes and details about the cartoon's production, the full shooting script from the show,...
- 10/7/2014
- by Alex Heigl, @alex_heigl
- PEOPLE.com
Peanuts Trailer. Steve Martino‘s Peanuts (2015) teaser trailer stars Bill Melendez. Peanuts‘ plot synopsis: “Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang from Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” comic strip make their fifth film outing.” The films that proceed this film include: A Boy Named Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Come Home, Race for [...]
Continue reading: Peanuts (2015) Teaser Trailer: Charlie Brown & Snoopy in a CGI-3D Film...
Continue reading: Peanuts (2015) Teaser Trailer: Charlie Brown & Snoopy in a CGI-3D Film...
- 3/19/2014
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
If you were nervous about the upcoming 3D, CG-animated Peanuts movie, this may calm you down. Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) is a producer behind the movie, so that’s a good sign right? What about the look and feel of the movie? Will they capture Peanuts for the fans or for the same crowd who goes to watch Smurfs and Chipmunk movies aka travesties?
The first Peanuts teaser trailer has arrived to prove that we should all be behind the project, it’s just lovely. They wanted to “honor” Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz and the material “very respectfully”, more in USA Today explains:
Snoopy won’t talk. He’ll communicate via pantomime, as seen in some of the cartoon specials. Strangely, the late Bill Melendez, who directed A Charlie Brown Christmas and many other Charlie Brown animations, will essentially voice Snoopy and Woodstock. His original voice recordings were sampled to create “dialogue” for this film.
The first Peanuts teaser trailer has arrived to prove that we should all be behind the project, it’s just lovely. They wanted to “honor” Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz and the material “very respectfully”, more in USA Today explains:
Snoopy won’t talk. He’ll communicate via pantomime, as seen in some of the cartoon specials. Strangely, the late Bill Melendez, who directed A Charlie Brown Christmas and many other Charlie Brown animations, will essentially voice Snoopy and Woodstock. His original voice recordings were sampled to create “dialogue” for this film.
- 3/18/2014
- by Graham McMorrow
- City of Films
I love Charlie Brown and Snoopy, and today we have the first teaser trailer for the feature film adaptation of Peanuts! Having grown up with these characters, this trailer just made me happy. The movie was directed by Steve Martino (Ice Age: Continental Drift), who tells USA Today,
"We're going to fly with Snoopy in his fantasy world. We have a bigger canvas. Bill Melendez got Snoopy off the ground in the TV specials. We're going to take it a step further."
The movie was done in CG animation, but I love that it still has that classic comic style and feel of the characters that fans love.
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz's timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they've never been seen before in a CG-Animated Feature film in 3D.
"We're going to fly with Snoopy in his fantasy world. We have a bigger canvas. Bill Melendez got Snoopy off the ground in the TV specials. We're going to take it a step further."
The movie was done in CG animation, but I love that it still has that classic comic style and feel of the characters that fans love.
For the first time ever, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang we know and love from Charles Schulz's timeless "Peanuts" comic strip will be making their big-screen debut; like they've never been seen before in a CG-Animated Feature film in 3D.
- 3/18/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
As Hollywood continues on its quest to squeeze millions out of our childhoods, one of the most divisive and risky cinematic ventures being undertaken is a cinematic update of the seminal comic-strip Peanuts. The last time that the comic, which follows Charlie Brown and his loyal canine companion Snoopy, graced cinemas was in 1980, so there’s a lot riding on the success of this feature-length update.
Today, we get our first look at the unique animation style being employed by Blue Sky Studios for the upcoming film with two images (one above and one below) and a teaser trailer. The CGI on display is sure to divide fans, but I’m on board with what Blue Sky is showing us so far.
Producer Craig Shulz (the son of comic creator Charles Shulz, who died in 2000) doesn’t have a problem with the new animation style and believes that Charles himself...
Today, we get our first look at the unique animation style being employed by Blue Sky Studios for the upcoming film with two images (one above and one below) and a teaser trailer. The CGI on display is sure to divide fans, but I’m on board with what Blue Sky is showing us so far.
Producer Craig Shulz (the son of comic creator Charles Shulz, who died in 2000) doesn’t have a problem with the new animation style and believes that Charles himself...
- 3/18/2014
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
There’s going to be more Charlie Brown on ABC for the next few years. The network announced today that its finalized an an additional 5-year agreement with Peanuts Worldwide LLC and Lee Mendelson Film Productions to continue showing the Charles M. Schulz holiday specials until 2020. First aired in 1965, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and A Charlie Brown Christmas have been on ABC since December 2001. The Emmy Award-winning specials by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz are produced and animated by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez. No details of the agreement were made available. However, even while down from last year this year, the specials certainly have been a return on investment for the network. Airing on December 3, this year’s A Charlie Brown Christmas was down 34% from its November 28 airing in 2012 but still beat Fox’s new Almost Human among Adults 18-49. Last year’s...
- 12/6/2013
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
The Peanuts gang will stay on ABC for many more years. The net just inked an extension with Peanuts Worldwide LLC and Lee Mendelson Film Productions to keep the Emmy-winning specials like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” through 2020.
The specials were created by Charles M. Schulz and produced and animated by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez. They began airing on ABC in 2001. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which first aired on TV in 1965, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the coming year.
Mendelson and Melendez’s association with Schulz harkens back to 1965 with “A Charlie Brown Christmas.
The specials were created by Charles M. Schulz and produced and animated by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez. They began airing on ABC in 2001. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which first aired on TV in 1965, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the coming year.
Mendelson and Melendez’s association with Schulz harkens back to 1965 with “A Charlie Brown Christmas.
- 12/6/2013
- by Lynette Rice
- EW - Inside TV
Before U.S. audiences were inundated by computer graphics and oversees animation, they reveled in the simple delight of hand-drawn cartooning. The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show harkens back to an era of childhood trials and tribulations. The subtle character voicing and prepubescent antics Charles M. Schulz famed comic-strip characters are as resonant and amusing today as they were in 1983. The 18-episode series has been released as a 2-Disc DVD Collection from Warner Archives.
The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show doesn’t rely on the typical 11 or 22-minute story arc of an animated series. Instead, episodes are broken down into brief segments – some focus on characters, while others focus on topics. For instance, segments may focus on Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, and her classroom. You’ll see quick bits of Sally delivering a speech in front of her classroom or bringing in an item (or Snoopy and Woodstock) for show and tell.
The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show doesn’t rely on the typical 11 or 22-minute story arc of an animated series. Instead, episodes are broken down into brief segments – some focus on characters, while others focus on topics. For instance, segments may focus on Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, and her classroom. You’ll see quick bits of Sally delivering a speech in front of her classroom or bringing in an item (or Snoopy and Woodstock) for show and tell.
- 12/4/2012
- by Bags Hooper
- BuzzFocus.com
By Rachel Bennett
Television Editor & Columnist
***
Happy Halloween, readers!
It’s my favorite day of the year, so I couldn’t neglect it in this week’s list. Because All Hallows Eve is so fun, below are the top 10 best Halloween comedy episodes.
Sadly, dramas are not on this list (I never would’ve been able to cut it to 10 if there had been), but feel free to leave your picks in the comments —”Home” from Fox’s The X-Files, anyone?
For me, though, I’ll leave it to laughs. So put on your best TV-themed costume, grab that bowl of fun-sized candy and check out my choices!
10. ABC’s Boy Meets World, “And Then There Was Shawn” (Season 5, Episode 17)
Fun fact: This episode aired Feb. 27, 1998. Nevertheless, I consider it one of the best Halloween episodes because “And Then There Was Shawn” left quite an impression on me as a...
Television Editor & Columnist
***
Happy Halloween, readers!
It’s my favorite day of the year, so I couldn’t neglect it in this week’s list. Because All Hallows Eve is so fun, below are the top 10 best Halloween comedy episodes.
Sadly, dramas are not on this list (I never would’ve been able to cut it to 10 if there had been), but feel free to leave your picks in the comments —”Home” from Fox’s The X-Files, anyone?
For me, though, I’ll leave it to laughs. So put on your best TV-themed costume, grab that bowl of fun-sized candy and check out my choices!
10. ABC’s Boy Meets World, “And Then There Was Shawn” (Season 5, Episode 17)
Fun fact: This episode aired Feb. 27, 1998. Nevertheless, I consider it one of the best Halloween episodes because “And Then There Was Shawn” left quite an impression on me as a...
- 10/31/2012
- by Rachel Bennett
- Scott Feinberg
"British cartoonist Ronald Searle, best known for his spiky drawings of the tearaway pupils of the fictional girls school St Trinian's, has died in southern France aged 91," reports Tim Castle for Reuters. Searle passed away on Friday, but the family waited a few days to make their announcement. "His spindly schoolgirl creations, which first appeared in 1941, hit the big screen in 1954 as The Belles of St Trinian's, with Alastair Sim starring in drag as headmistress Millicent Fritton. The film franchise was revived in 2007, with Rupert Everett taking over the headmistress role, with a follow-up, St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, appearing in 2009…. His work was recognized internationally, and he won a number of awards from America's National Cartoonists Society. In France, where he lived since 1961, he was awarded the country's prestigious Legion d'Honneur."
In March 2010, Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell wrote about organizing an exhibition "focusing on his reportage...
In March 2010, Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell wrote about organizing an exhibition "focusing on his reportage...
- 1/5/2012
- MUBI
I am a serious Peanuts aficionado. When I was a kid, I constantly visited our local library to borrow the same gloriously dogeared Peanuts collections. In high school, I wrote a ten-minute speech about the history of the American comic strip, and Peanuts took up about three of those minutes. (Calvin and Hobbes and Doonesbury also featured prominently. Psh, Garfield.) A few years ago, I devoured David Michaelis’ massive biography of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz in a couple marathon reading sessions. But my love for Charlie Brown’s melancholic circle of semi-friends goes back much longer, into the deepest primordial era of my consciousness.
- 11/24/2011
- by Darren Franich
- EW.com - PopWatch
The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
It’s not pristine, but Paramount has done a fantastic high definition restoration job on Sergio Leone’s legendary spaghetti western Once Upon A Time In The West (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-S24.99Rp), presenting not only the original theatrical edition, but the extended cut as well. In addition, there’s a filmmaker-laden commentary track full of ardent fans, 5 retrospective featurettes, a gallery, and the theatrical trailer.
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
It’s not pristine, but Paramount has done a fantastic high definition restoration job on Sergio Leone’s legendary spaghetti western Once Upon A Time In The West (Paramount, Not Rated, Blu-Ray-S24.99Rp), presenting not only the original theatrical edition, but the extended cut as well. In addition, there’s a filmmaker-laden commentary track full of ardent fans, 5 retrospective featurettes, a gallery, and the theatrical trailer.
- 6/6/2011
- by UncaScroogeMcD
With only a few days left until Christmas day is upon us, chances are your kids are now out of class until next year and spending their free time in some mixture of snowball fights outside and curled up in front of the television inside (we'd love for them to be reading, but we know how kids are). While the time they spend outside frolicking in the snow equates to peaceful R&R time for you parents, you can help even if out by putting in some of these high-quality Christmas classics that are guaranteed to be as entertaining for the grown-ups as they are for the kids.
For infants through 8-year-olds...
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas, released in 1965, was (and remains) a huge hit. It came out at the height of Peanuts’ popularity, but also marked the transition Peanuts made from a comic strip about kids...
For infants through 8-year-olds...
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas, released in 1965, was (and remains) a huge hit. It came out at the height of Peanuts’ popularity, but also marked the transition Peanuts made from a comic strip about kids...
- 12/19/2010
- by JPP Staff
- JustPressPlay.net
The most wonderful time of the year is once again upon us. The Christmas season is here and with that comes Christmas TV episodes!
For the 25 days leading up til Christmas Day this month, we’ll be spotlighting some of the best Christmas-themed episodes from some of Geek culture’s greatest shows. Each day we’ll cover different shows and episodes and encourage you to watch along with us. So come one, come all, to the 25 Days of Geek TV Christmas!
Saturday, December 18th, 2010 - Day 18: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Directed by: Bill Melendez
Written by: Charles M. Schulz
Starring: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer, Bill Melendez, Karen Mendelson, Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Kathy Steinberg, and Tracy Stratford
Original Air Date: December 9, 1965
You can stream the episode over at Hulu or watch it right here below! You can also purchase a copy of the episode at Amazon or...
For the 25 days leading up til Christmas Day this month, we’ll be spotlighting some of the best Christmas-themed episodes from some of Geek culture’s greatest shows. Each day we’ll cover different shows and episodes and encourage you to watch along with us. So come one, come all, to the 25 Days of Geek TV Christmas!
Saturday, December 18th, 2010 - Day 18: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Directed by: Bill Melendez
Written by: Charles M. Schulz
Starring: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer, Bill Melendez, Karen Mendelson, Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Kathy Steinberg, and Tracy Stratford
Original Air Date: December 9, 1965
You can stream the episode over at Hulu or watch it right here below! You can also purchase a copy of the episode at Amazon or...
- 12/19/2010
- by Goodman
- Geeks of Doom
Growing up Jewish, I didn’t have a lot of Christmas specials lying around the house. But Growing up American, I saw an awful lot of them on TV. A Charlie Brown Christmas was one of the few that didn’t make me feel weird and queasy and somehow excluded from a giant party. That could be because it’s not a hard sell on the total perfection of Christmas (see: almost every Christmas special since) but rather a quiet, reflective movie. It could also just be because I loved Peanuts.
My favorite Peanuts special of all, though, was It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and I was pretty excited to dig into this collection. This box set contains both aforementioned films and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, with all three coming both on Blu-ray and DVD. I had remembered the simple animation and the soft-but-not-quite-smooth jazz, but I hadn...
My favorite Peanuts special of all, though, was It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and I was pretty excited to dig into this collection. This box set contains both aforementioned films and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, with all three coming both on Blu-ray and DVD. I had remembered the simple animation and the soft-but-not-quite-smooth jazz, but I hadn...
- 11/24/2010
- by Willie Osterweil
- JustPressPlay.net
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