Halloween Is Here: Reflecting on It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Halloween has arrived, bringing with it the classic Halloween specials and movies we enjoy year after year. But one special has stood the test of time as a cult favorite for over fifty years: Charles Schulz’s very own It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! This Halloween special may not be spooky, but it's a cozy and comforting watch, exuding those warm fall vibes. The Peanuts Halloween Special is definitely one you won’t want to miss this season. But how did a comic strip evolve into an iconic cartoon?

From Comic Strip to Cartoon

On October 2, 1950, Charles M. Schulz published his first Peanuts comic strip. The strip introduced a different version of Charlie Brown than we know today—a bit of a “smart-aleck” who hadn’t yet donned his signature zigzag shirt.

As the 1960s began, Schulz developed the comic strip and softened Charlie Brown’s character, shaping him into the gentle, kind-hearted boy familiar to fans today. But this new decade brought more than character development; it marked the beginning of Schulz's journey to bring Peanuts to television.

From Print to Screen

In 1963, producer Lee Mendelson began work on a documentary about Schulz called A Boy Named Charlie Brown. During the project, Coca-Cola approached Mendelson about creating an animated Christmas special. Mendelson immediately reached out to Schulz, who agreed to collaborate using his Peanuts characters. However, initial production was challenging, as no television networks were interested in green-lighting the special. But in 1965, when the Peanuts characters appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, interest surged, opening the door for the Christmas Special.

Schulz and Lee Mendelson wrote, produced, and edited A Charlie Brown Christmas in just six months. The special premiered on December 9, 1965, captivating audiences across America. Its popularity led to a demand for more specials, and by the following Halloween, Schulz and Melendez were ready to release their third Peanuts Special—It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

The Great Pumpkin Story

This Halloween special was inspired by a Peanuts comic strip first published on October 26, 1959, which introduced the idea of Linus waiting for the Great Pumpkin.

The TV special centers on Linus, who confuses the Great Pumpkin with Santa Claus. He writes a letter and waits patiently for the Great Pumpkin’s arrival in the pumpkin patch, his faith unwavering even when others doubt its existence. Linus eventually persuades Charlie Brown’s younger sister, Sally, to wait with him. But when the Great Pumpkin doesn’t appear, Sally, frustrated, demands “restitution” and leaves Linus alone, where he falls asleep waiting.

The B-plot follows the other kids enjoying Halloween. Charlie Brown, like many others, is dressed as a ghost for the night’s Halloween party—except his costume has one too many holes. Over the years, his “holey” ghost costume has become a favorite, with fans dressing up as Charlie Brown’s ghost every Halloween.

And who could forget Snoopy’s storyline? Dressed as a WWI flying ace, he sets off on an imaginative adventure to battle the Red Baron.

Cultural Impact and Enduring Legacy

This special has left a lasting mark on popular culture. Fans love quoting iconic lines like Charlie Brown’s “I got a rock” or Sally’s “I deserve restitution!” Numerous television shows, including The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror XIX, have referenced or parodied this Peanuts classic.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown remains a Halloween essential for many, symbolizing both tradition and nostalgia. You can enjoy it with your Apple TV+ subscription or as it airs on PBS.

Happy Halloween!