Without a doubt, the most iconic Peanuts special is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Every holiday season, the special is appointment viewing and just about everything in it is iconic, from Charlie Brown’s pathetic Christmas tree to the goofy dances the kids do. (The soundtrack by jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi also rulfes.) And while the first place status for that special goes without challenge, there’s also an obvious answer as to what the second most iconic Peanuts special is, and that’s It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Since we’re approaching the season where the Great Pumpkin graces the most sincere pumpkin patch, I thought it was high time to determine the most iconic quote from this unforgettable, heartwarming TV special.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown aired on CBS in 1966. It was directed by animation legend Bill Melendez and written by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. After the success of the 1965 holiday special A Charlie Brown Christmas, CBS greenlit two more Peanuts specials for TV. First came Charlie Brown’s All Stars! in June 1966, A few months later we got It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, just days before Halloween.
Why It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a classic
The beloved Halloween special tells of the goings-on around Halloween for the Peanuts gang, especially Linus. While most of the kids go out trick or treating, Linus sits in a nearby pumpkin patch, awaiting a Santa Claus-like figure named the Great Pumpkin to arrive with presents. According to Linus, “Each year, the Great Pumpkin rises out of the pumpkin patch that he thinks is the most sincere.” Convinced he’s got the most sincere pumpkin patch, Linus waits patiently all night while his friends, from Linus’ perspective, fritter Halloween away by getting candy.
Like the Christmas special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is both funny and heartwarming. It was the first-ever Halloween TV special, as the holiday only really took off after World War II. That’s why the Peanuts kids say “tricks or treats” instead of “trick or treat,” as that was a popular variant of the phrase before “trick or treat” was solidified.
The special’s most iconic quote
But “tricks or treats” isn’t the most iconic turn of phrase in the film; it’s merely a quirk of history and language development. As it’s a Halloween special, and Charlie Brown’s name is in the title, I’m tempted to say “I got a rock” is the special’s best line. When Charlie Brown trick or treats with his friends, they all get candy, while he only receives rocks. It’s a really funny running gag that speaks to the character’s bad luck. It’s also one of those things that comes up every Halloween for fans of the special. The situation feels all too relatable — while others seem to get candy, life gives me rocks. (Personally, it’s also what I thought of whenever I would get crappy returns while trick or treating, like pencils or those disgusting popcorn balls.)
But despite how much “I got a rock” resonates with a cynical view on life — and despite the fact that Charlie Brown’s name is in the title of this special — the best quote has to come from the true star of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Linus van Pelt. It’s Linus who has the most memorable story, even if, as a fan, I’m still unclear as to how a pumpkin patch can be sincere or insincere. It’s Linus’ faith in the Great Pumpkin that made the special iconic, thus the best quote has to come from him.
“There are three things that I’ve learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin,” is a funny quote, especially in that classic Charles Schulz way where it’s amusing to see a kid talk like an adult. Still, the best quote shouldn’t be funny. Instead it should be something sincere, as I think the sincerity of the special is more resonant than its comedy.
For sincerity, “Oh, Great Pumpkin, where are you?!” is a good one, but it’s from the end of the special, when Linus starts to lose hope in the Great Pumpkin’s arrival. While that’s an important part of Linus’ arc in the special, I tend to think his unwavering optimism in the earlier scenes is what sticks most with people, which is why I think this is the most resonant, iconic line in the whole special:
“Tonight the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch. He flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world.”
The line comes from Linus and it’s obvious that he says it in this special. It’s also a little bit funny, as the Great Pumpkin sounds like a ridiculous legend that I still have so many questions about (like, does the Great Pumpkin have a face? Or is he just a really big pumpkin?) Most of all though, the quote speaks to Linus’ belief in the Great Pumpkin — a belief as sincere as the most sincere pumpkin patch.