Halloween has been a significant part of American culture every Fall season for decades. Halloween cult classic films have added a whole new layer to the excitement of the quirky holiday, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is one of the most iconic and lasting to date. The story follows Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang on their Halloween adventures: Linus is convinced that the Great Pumpkin will rise as Charlie bemoans receiving rock after rock in his candy bag. The plot of the movie is appealing to viewers of all ages: young kids can easily follow the main storyline of Linus and Sally waiting for the Great Pumpkin in the patch, but the subplots of the other kids trick or treating and attending a Halloween party enrich the narrative. The myth of the Great Pumpkin gives off a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny feel, making it fun for little kids to engage in.
The story is also still entertaining to older kids and parents as it brings back memories of Halloweens from years past. “That movie just reminds me so much of my childhood,” said junior Shea Murphy. “It still makes me laugh, it’s timeless. My favorite part is when Sally goes off on Linus in the pumpkin patch.” Older kids and adults will always find laughs in its universal humor. Even though mainstream horror movies have been dominating the box office every Halloween for decades, people always seem to come back to the lighthearted cult classics. Junior Anna Busalacchi has been watching the Halloween special for years. “My family watches that together every year! It’s a tradition. The best part is when Linus thought Snoopy was the Great Pumpkin!” Every young child gets excited to dress up and get enough candy to last until the next year, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown brings out that little kid in all of us.
The movie was a fantastic hit when it originally aired in 1966, combining a humorous plot with Sixties flair and halloween traditions, which cemented its success in passing the test of time. Today, parents show their kids the animated special, reminiscing about their own childhoods. The impact of the film has lasted for generations, and is sure to continue.