There has never been, nor will there ever be, another Halloween special as timeless as the 1966 classic, IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN. That said, it’s only fitting that I include the Peanuts gang in 31 Days of Halloween on the big day itself. If you don’t already have it on DVD or Blu-Ray (or maybe, even if you do), ABC will be running THE GREAT PUMPKIN tonight at 8pm ET.
While we have the DVD here at Rock Father HQ (an early release that also features the 2012-appropriate YOU’RE NOT ELECTED, CHARLIE BROWN as a bonus feature), there’s still something special about gathering in front of the tv to check this out as it airs “live.” In previous years, I seem to recall IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN normally running a few days prior to Halloween since most kids would be out roaming the streets on devil’s night. But, with so many communities now scheduling Trick or Treating in advance, and Halloween falling on a mid-week school night this year, it’s not surprising to see this placed smack-dab in the middle of primetime.
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The little ones and I gave the DVD a spin last night, and for the first time, Addie called it “The Great Pumpkin,” instead of her usual “Snoopy Halloween.” In another year or so, the newborn will be more receptive to it, and the girls can truly enjoy it together. With a new Peanuts movie headed for theaters in 2015, starting the kids off with the classics is the only way to go.
Happy Halloween!
