5 Reasons A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING Is the Cutest Thanksgiving Movie Ever
By Movieguide® Staff
You may think that the short Charlie Brown television movies are just simple little programs, but they are so much more. Time after time, Charlie Brown delivers a message that’s much deeper than expected.
A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING is one of the best examples of this wonderful phenomenon.
The video starts out with Patty inviting herself over to Charlie Brown’s house for thanksgiving. Charlie doesn’t know what to say, but Patty does all the speaking. Patty calls back to say many more want to come.
Overwhelmed by all this, Charlie admits he has never made a meal. In fact, he can barely spread the butter on toast. Linus calms Charlie Brown’s fears, telling Charlie that they can all pitch in to help him. In the end, Linus also reminds everyone how Thanksgiving started and gives a prayer.
Even though this is just a cute little program, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” teaches children the history behind Thanksgiving, that we should be giving, and especially that we should thank God for our friends. Take a look at some of its finest moments:
1. Because Thanksgiving is about working together.
Charlie Brown: I can’t cook a Thanksgiving dinner. All I can make is cold cereal and maybe toast.
Linus van Pelt: That’s right. I’ve seen you make toast. You can’t butter it, but maybe we can help you.
2. Because Thanksgiving is about remembering our history.
Linus van Pelt: In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought 90 of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.”
Patricia ‘Peppermint Patty’ Reichardt: Amen.
3. Because Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for friends and family.
Marcie: But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by ‘Thanksgiving,’ Charlie Brown.
4. Because Thanksgiving is about thanking God.
Peppermint Patty: [as Snoopy places the fake Thanksgiving dinner on the table] Are we going to have a prayer? It’s Thanksgiving, you know.
Peppermint Patty: [to Charlie Brown] Before we’re served, shouldn’t we say grace?
5. Because Thanksgiving celebrates the many blessings that have defined the United States of America.
Linus: Ours is the first country in the world to make a national holiday to give thanks.