Here’s something to make you feel old: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. (Raise your hand if you remember when this was a “new” special.) The story features a bossy Peppermint Patty pushing Charlie Brown to invite her, Marcie and Franklin over for Thanksgiving even though his family had already planned on visiting his grandmother. Always the bright one, Linus suggests that Charlie have the kids over for one dinner and then go to his grandmas for the second. Small problem – the only thing Charlie knows how to make is cold cereal and toast. The story ends on a happy note with all of the kids singing a terrible rendition of “Over the River and Through the Woods.” So, we have much to be thankful for.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is iconic and one of Charles Schulz’s best. Here are a few facts that you might not know about the 1973 TV special:
- While Lucy is seen pulling the football away from Charlie Brown at the beginning of the special, she doesn’t appear during the rest of it. Apparently, she wasn’t invited to dinner.
- Franklin doesn’t utter a word.
- According to the Los Angeles Times, the scene where Snoopy battles a lawn chair was a tribute to Walt Disney’s slapstick cartoons.
- You may remember that the main meal consisted of popcorn, buttered toast, pretzels, jelly beans and some Jell-o type of dessert (the latter is never seen being made).
- Many fans enjoy but also feel a little sick watching Woodstock enjoy eating a turkey with Snoopy. Producer Lee Mendelson didn’t like it either.
These days, the only place to watch this holiday staple on TV is Apple TV+, but anyone can watch the special for free on the streaming service for free this year on November 18 and 19. Apple TV+ will also offer free viewings of the very first Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, on December 16 and 17. The streaming service also offers the newer TV specials, Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales (featuring a collection of short stories) and I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown where Rerun (Linus and Lucy’s little brother) desperately wants a dog under his Christmas tree. The special features a few scenes with Snoopy’s brother Spike.
But Wait, There’s More
Apple TV+ has really gone all in with the Peanuts franchise. In addition to airing the classic cartoons, the streaming service also offers the original series, Snoopy in Space and The Snoopy Show. This December, the latter features a new episode titled “Happiness is Holiday Traditions.” During the episode, Snoopy searches for the perfect tree topper; Woodstock gets trapped in a window display; and Snoopy and Woodstock visit Spike for Christmas. Another holiday-themed episode, “Happiness is the Gift of Giving”, features Snoopy adapting a Christmas poem to help Sally sleep, Charlie Brown makes gifts for his pals, and Snoopy finds waiting to open his presents a challenge.
Charlie Brown Goes to New York
In other news, WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide have announced that they will begin working on an all-new Peanuts movie early next year. The untitled project has been said to be Snoopy and Charlie Brown’s “biggest challenge yet.”
“The new family film will see the Peanuts gang go on an epic adventure to the Big City, learning the true meaning of friendship, while meeting some surprising new friends along the way,” says the streamer. And this new movie has brought in some big guns to work on the film as well. The screenplay is co-written by Karey Kirkpatrick, known for her work on Chicken Run, Smallfoot and Over the Hedge. But the story is still Schulz-related. The original story was written by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano, the same trio behind 2015’s fantastic and award-winning The Peanuts Movie. The movie will also be directed by Steve Martino (Horton Hears a Who!, Ice Age: Continental Drift), who also directed The Peanuts Movie.
“We can’t wait for everyone to experience this heartwarming new adventure with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang in the Big City,” says Tara Sorensen, Apple’s head of children’s programming. in the Big City.”
“It is so special to carry on my father’s legacy with an original story from me, my son Bryan, and his writing partner Neil,” said Craig Schulz. “We are excited to be partnering with Apple TV+ and working with WildBrain Studios to bring audiences a brand-new Peanuts adventure, along with the talented Bonnie Arnold as producer and Steve Martino as director. Peanuts fans have been clamoring for another feature for years, and this film will bring joy to our millions of fans around the world.”
But Wait, There’s More
Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano were also executive producers on a range of new Peanuts family specials on Apple TV+, including the Emmy Award-nominated Earth Day special Snoopy Presents: It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown; Snoopy Presents: Lucy’s School, an original special celebrating educators and based on the classic “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz; Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie, which follows endearing introvert Marcie as she helps her friends in her own unique way; Humanitas and Emmy Award nominee Snoopy Presents: To Mom (and Dad), With Love, a sweet Mother’s Day celebration of friendship and family featuring the beloved Peanuts gang; fan favorite Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne.
More upcoming specials include another new series Camp Snoopy, (featuring Snoopy and the Beagle Scouts along with Charlie Brown and friends as they enjoy an adventure-filled summer outdoors) and Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin which uncovers the origin story of one of Peanuts’ most beloved characters and how he ultimately makes friends with Charlie Brown and the gang.
All images: Apple TV+
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