By Gavin Boyle
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS would never have been made if not for Coca-Cola and the company’s desire to air a sponsored Christmas special.
“I call[ed] Mr. Schulz and I [told] him, ‘I have good news and bad news. The good news is I think I just sold A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. The bad news is we have to write it tomorrow,'” producer Lee Mendelson said when recalling how Coca-Cola asked for a draft of the story to be turned in three days after the idea was pitched.
Related: Why Charles Schulz Fought for Faith in A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Working on a tight schedule was the theme of the entire project. After the story was greenlit, Schulz had only six months to finish the final project, and the special was turned in to the network 10 days before it aired. This tight timeline, however, helped get some of the more notable elements of the story included as the reading of Luke 2:8-20, for example, would not have been kept if the network had more time to change things.
Even hardcore Peanuts fans may not know that because of the Coca-Cola sponsorship, two since edited out scenes promoting the drink were also a part of the program. While Coca-Cola no longer receives a promotion every time the special is watched, audiences were enthusiastic about the company when A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS first aired in 1965.
Meanwhile, the special remains a holiday classic since its release with families watching A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS every year together. It’s emphasis of the true meaning of Christmas being found in Christ makes its legacy especially important as for some families this is the only time the holiday season is about the birth of Jesus. A Portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS contains much of the wonderful spirit of the PEANUTS comic strip created by Charles Schultz. The music fits the onscreen action to a tee, and the animation is priceless. The voice actors are perfect. The animated short has many Christmas carols and stresses the value of serving others during Christmas. A few times, characters call each other stupid, and Lucy and Snoopy get into a tiff, but these elements are comical and don’t cast a shadow on the sweet story. Best of all, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS has a very strong Christian, biblical worldview that focuses on celebrating the birth of Jesus.
It is amazing to think that such an iconic program was originally created to sell more soda. Praise the Lord for the way He has used the special to touch millions of lives in the decades since its release.
Read Next: Why A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Stands the Test of Time
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +4