Not very many television specials have stood the test of time on broadcast network television, and those few that have endured have been associated with the holiday seasons (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah and Easter). \r
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The work of Charles Schulz has truly been evergreen around the holiday season, with specifically his classic Christmas special from 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas and the Halloween classic Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown from 1966. \r
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This short video clip is from the PBS series American Masters, a documentary television presentation that provides an incredible, haunting look at the life and work of Charles Schulz and his Peanuts creation. I believe this series (and this Charles Schulz program) is available online at PBS.org and is highly recommended.\r
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In this clip, A Charlie Brown Christmas [first broadcast on CBS on December 9, 1965] producer Lee Mendelson and animator and director Bill Melendez are interviewed, as well as author Chip Kidd, who penned the outstanding book-\r
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The Art of Charles Schulz\r
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Another outstanding reference book about Charles Schulz and the Peanuts phenomenon is also highly recommended (and a part of my personal library) -\r
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Schulz and Peanuts - a Biography by David Michaelis\r
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In my household, it is never quite the Christmas season, nor the proper holiday spirit, without seeing the big 5 holiday cartoon classics that were created in the 1960s; they are each very special in their own way and have set the standard for animation on television that has simply not been met, let alone surpassed, in a half century:\r
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1. A Charlie Brown Christmas - 1965 by the Lee Mendelson production team that featured the fine work of Charles Schulz, Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez \r
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2. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer - 1964 by Rankin Bass Productions\r
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3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 1966 by Dr. Suess Productions\r
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4. Mr. Magoos Christmas Carol - 1962 by UPA, Lee Orgel, executive producer Henry G. Saperstein producers (and featuring the voice of Mr. Magoo: the great Jim Backus)\r
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5. Frosty the Snowman - 1969 by Rankin Bass Productions\r
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As I drive around in my car during the holiday season, listening to the various Christmas songs that are played on the radio during December, I truly enjoy listening to the various Christmas songs that are highlighted in each of these five holiday cartoon classics.\r
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However, my favorite holiday song is Vince Guaraldi [music] and Lee Mendelsons [lyrics] Christmas Time is Here from A Charlie Brown Christmas.; and it is that song that puts A Charlie Brown Christmas at the very top of my top five list - just a bit ahead of the Rankin Bass Rudolph classic. Christmas Time is Here is simply a beautiful classic - serene, melancholy and haunting, capturing that perfect balance of joy and melancholy that the holiday season so often brings as the year comes to a close and memories of years past come to call.\r
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Congratulations to the Peanuts team [and thank you Charles Schulz, Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez], as well as the Rankin Bass, Suess and UPA/DreamWorks teams for another holiday season [half a centurys worth] enhanced with the viewing of these five classic cartoons. Check you local TV listings and primetime broadcast television schedules this week to try to catch all five. And remember, please support your local public television station!\r
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Happy Holidays to you all. May the holiday season find you at peace, with hope for the future. \r
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This video clip is being shown here on YouTube for the informational and entertainment value of the viewer; no copyright infringement is intended.