“A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a beloved animated TV special based on Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. It premiered on December 9, 1965, on CBS and was written by Schulz, with direction by Bill Melendez. The special features the voices of Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown, Christopher Shea as Linus, and Tracy Stratford as Lucy.
The plot follows Charlie Brown’s search for meaning amidst the commercialism of Christmas, as he tries to direct a nativity play and chooses a small, sparse Christmas tree as a symbol of the holiday’s true spirit. The special is notable for its jazz score by Vince Guaraldi, including the iconic “Linus and Lucy” theme.
It also includes Linus reciting the biblical story of Christ’s birth, reinforcing the message of the holiday. The special received critical acclaim and has been a holiday tradition for decades, influencing the perception of Christmas on television.
“The Little Drummer Boy” is a classic stop-motion animated Christmas TV special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. It first aired on NBC on December 19, 1968, and is based on the 1941 song of the same name by Katherine Kennicott Davis. The teleplay was written by Romeo Muller, with narration by Greer Garson.
The voice cast includes Teddy Eccles as Aaron, the titular drummer boy, and José Ferrer as Ben Haramed. The story follows Aaron, a bitter orphaned boy whose only companions are his animals. When his lamb is injured, Aaron encounters the Magi traveling to Bethlehem.
At the manger, he plays his drum for the newborn Jesus, witnessing a miraculous healing and discovering love and forgiveness. The special is remembered for its heartfelt message and its score, which prominently features the titular carol.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is a cherished animated TV special based on Dr. Seuss’s 1957 book of the same name. It originally aired on CBS on December 18, 1966.
The special was written by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) himself and directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam. Boris Karloff provides the narration and voices the Grinch, while June Foray voices Cindy Lou Who. The story follows the Grinch, a grouchy, Christmas-hating creature who plans to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville by stealing their gifts, decorations, and food.
However, his heart grows three sizes when he realizes that the Whos’ Christmas spirit transcends material possessions. Featuring the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, the special has become a timeless holiday classic.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a beloved stop-motion animated Christmas TV special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. It premiered on NBC on December 6, 1964, and has since become the longest-running Christmas special in television history. The teleplay was written by Romeo Muller, with Burl Ives serving as the narrator and voice of Sam the Snowman.
The voice cast includes Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph, Paul Soles as Hermey, and Larry D. Mann as Yukon Cornelius. The story, inspired by the 1949 song by Johnny Marks, follows Rudolph, a young reindeer with a glowing red nose who is ostracized for his difference.
He teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius on an adventure that leads them to the Island of Misfit Toys. Ultimately, Rudolph saves Christmas by guiding Santa’s sleigh through a storm, proving that uniqueness can be a strength.
The 1984 adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is a critically acclaimed made-for-television movie that first aired on CBS on December 17, 1984. It was directed by Clive Donner, with a screenplay by Roger O. Hirson based on Charles Dickens’s classic novella. George C. Scott stars as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, supported by a strong cast, including David Warner as Bob Cratchit, Frank Finlay as Jacob Marley, and Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit. T
he story follows Scrooge’s transformation after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, who reveal the consequences of his greed and indifference.
Set in Victorian London, the film captures the redemption arc of Scrooge, as he learns compassion and generosity in time to celebrate Christmas. Known for its atmospheric setting and Scott’s powerful performance, it remains a definitive version of the classic tale.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Grinch_Stole_Christmas!_%28TV_special%29
- Yardbarker https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_25_best_christmas_tv_specials_122523/s1__38216453#slide_1
- Wikipedia “A Charlie Brown Christmas” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Charlie_Brown_Christmas
- Wikipedia “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer_(TV_special)
- Wikipedia “A Christmas Carol (1984 film)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Christmas_Carol_(1984_film)
- Wikipedia “The Little Drummer Boy (TV special)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Drummer_Boy_(TV_special)
