User reviews

Every year I put together a horror movie marathon for me and my friends around Halloween and this special is always on the play list. It just wouldn't be the Halloween horror movie marathon without it. The Great Pumpkin really evokes why we all fell in love with the Halloween season and holiday. The candy, the costumes, but most importantly the mysterious nature. As a child everything seemed so mysterious and grand which is what Linus is experiencing with his Great Pumpkin beliefs.

The Great Pumpkin really sets the mood for the Halloween season. If you have young kids you could do much worse than introduce them to this wonderful little special. It was a huge part of my childhood and I have many fond memories sitting with mom and dad watching this on CBS with the old Halloween-themed McDonald's commercials. It just brings me back to a simpler time.

Also, do not give out rocks as treats. That's just cruel.

After A Charlie Brown Christmas, this one came along the next fall. While it is not quite the first one, it has some good moments. Of course when this was made, Halloween was more of a trick or treat holiday as this one was originally sponsored by Dolly Madison, the maker of cup cakes. This high point of this one is Lucy talking about wearing a costume to match your personality.

Snoopy has his first major World War 1 Flying Ace segment here and it is effectively woven into the story. As a Halloween Special, Linus is always waiting for the Great Pumpkin & it is consistent with Linus that he makes a negative remarks about Santa believers. After all, in the previous Christmas Special, Santa is not mentioned in his speech of what Christmas is all about.

The Halloween party, which is a bigger staple today than ever is here though if this were to be updated, Snoopy could decorate his dog house with Halloween Lights, like he did with Christmas lights in the other special. While it is not Christmas, it did help build Charles Schultz resume so that he would do lots more television & movies with the Peanuts gang.

Another beloved family Classic, even if it's about as slow paced as one could imagine. Nice, light comedy with Linus's mixing of holiday traditions; although the gang (and especially Sally) can be quite cruel, ultimately the focus on the misfits is uplifting, even if lightly satyrical. Snoopy's waking dream of fighting the read barron, which ultimately leads to an encounter with Linus's vision of the Great Pumpkin in the patch, is brilliant. Just two questions: how old are these kids? And why is Charlie Brown basically bald?

Reviewed this after watching in 2020, not long after getting our Charlie Brown Halloween figures from the Bradford Exchange.

I always loved watching this on CBS when I was a kid. I even loved the commercials. They were always either Dolly Madison or McDonald's commercials. That seems like a strange thing to mention but I felt it added something extra to this special. I loved the look of the show. All the oranges and reds and other fall colors. From the pumpkin carving opener, the pumpkin patch, Snoopy's fantasy World War I adventures as he makes his way across the French countryside, to the beautiful musical score, it all adds up to one great Halloween experience. Taking you back to a simpler time when the world seemed more innocent. We'll miss you Charlie Schultz.

Although thousands of Halloween TV specials bombard us each October, one stands out as a can't-miss for anyone with children or anyone who ever was a child. The complete lack of scariness makes this the classic feel-good movie of the season. It is one film that is appropriate for children of every age, even very young children. It brings up the same nostalgic feelings that the Peanuts comic strip does, and gets me in the Halloween spirit every year. If you haven't seen it yet, spend some time this October to watch it with the children in your life. It's perfect with warm popcorn and orange candy corn. So for a change from the movies that give you nightmares, try the Halloween special that will give you sweet dreams of great pumpkins.

The thing I loved most about this Charlie Brown Halloween special was the sheer simplicity of it. The creators obviously aimed this at people of all ages; It is just so funny and cute, it's impossible not to love. There is no horror, thriller, or gruesome bloody scenes. It shows what Halloween is really about- the fun of trick-or-treating, and being with your friends.

Linus believes in the 'Great Pumpkin', the Santa Claus of Halloween. He misses out on Halloween to stay in the Pumpkin Patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin to pick his pumpkin patch as the most sincere. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and the gang get invited to Violet's halloween party. The gang save Sally goes trick-or-treating as well. Sally decides to stay with Linus.

Don't miss out on this! A must see for Halloween.

This is a very good animated feature! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is very funny and I am surprised it is still poplar today! If you get chance to watch it then do so because it is really a classic and great for Halloween!

I grew up with this and all the other Peanuts specials. I remember sitting up until 8:00pm (late for me at that age) and loving it. I remember the Mounds and Almond Joy ads. I even remember the catchy CBS "Special Presentation" intro. What can be said for this classic that hasn't been said before? From Linus and Sally in the pumpkin patch all night to the still quoted "I got a rock!" line, not many holiday specials that don't involve Charlie Brown and the gang bring a smile to my face like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Schulz.

My grade: A+

You know, I'm not the most enormous fan of Charlie Brown stuff. My favorite specials are the Christmas one everyone knows, and the Easter one I'm super nostalgic about. I sort of grew-up on this special, as well, but it's never been one of my absolute favorite Halloween specials ever, even though I believe it's certainly one of the most creative and well-made Halloween specials on the face of the earth.

This is a special special. It's timeless, in many ways, and I can enjoy that. I just think it's a little overhyped.

The animation style and smoothness is great, and the music is wonderful, as per usual for anything involving Charlie Brown.

This is one of my mom's favorite things to watch, and I pretty much always watch it with her, every year.

I'm not really a fan of the moments like the Red Berring scene-that's a little out-of-place, in my opinion, and it's a good four or five minutes of this special.

Everything else really recreates that October and Fall feeling we all feel, as children. That's what makes this a special special, and it's the reason I'll be watching it every year, as long as I live.

The humor is probably the best of all the Charlie Brown specials, also. My personal favorite joke is what Lucy says about a girl's costume needing to be the contrast of her personality (which she, a mean kid, in general, pulls a witch mask over her face lol).

If you haven't seen this one, try it out sometime. It's pretty nice, and a pleasant treat for Halloweentime.

I've been a lifetime Peanuts fan; I grew up with the comic strip and a number of the TV specials. It was always a cause for celebration to see these endearing characters and laugh at their assorted escapades.

Here, the character of Linus, ordinarily the most sensible of the children, indulges in his ongoing personal fantasy involving the almighty Great Pumpkin who in Linus' mind is the Santa Claus of the Halloween season, appearing in the most sincere of pumpkin patches and distributing toys to the faithful.

One can't help but be charmed by his dedication to this concept, even as it prevents him from enjoying the more conventional trappings of the holiday - specifically trick or treating, which his admirer Sally forgoes in order to be with him.

This lovable story does of course display a constant disarming sense of humour, in particular poor Charlie Browns' tendency to get rocks in his treat bag in place of candy - yet he doesn't let it get him down. Good old Snoopy continues to be a major cut up - whether he's indulging in his own flights of fancy, taking on the persona of the World War I Flying Ace forever facing off against his arch rival The Red Baron, and pretending to be making his way across enemy lines (this sequence features some of the best animation in the special), or stealing the show at Violets' Halloweeen Party. It's just too cute when he bops along to Schroeders' piano music and then sobs uncontrollably when the music turns dramatic.

The special remains bright and upbeat all the way through, with Linus ranting his way all through the closing credits about the supposed "stupidity" of waiting in a pumpkin patch. Everything about this can continue to appeal to all ages; 45 years later, it's still a charmer.

10/10

Yes, Linus is a bit of a buzz kill. He just does not know when to have fun at all. Here is a holiday for candy and such and he invents a great pumpkin character who brings toys to the children in the pumpkin patch. Sadly, if there was such a thing, my guess it would be like that sketch they did on Robot Chicken where the great pumpkin was a monster that ate the little children. Thankfully, the only person that he ruins the holiday for is Charlie Brown's little sister. Meanwhile the rest of the gang goes trick or treating and this is funny as poor Charlie somehow only seems to get rocks while everyone else is scoring candy. There is also a rather funny Halloween party that has a good apple bobbing scene in it. It then concludes back at the pumpkin patch where a figure rises from the patch. Could it be? The famed great pumpkin? This show is a bit better to me than the X-mas special, but not as good as the Thanksgiving day show as that one is my favorite of the holiday specials. Linus actually does not give speeches or try to invent something to detract from that holiday anyway. This one has some funny moments and keeps itself nice and light hearted throughout.

Really, what can one say about this little TV-movie to expresses its greatness? Along with "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "The Great Pumpkin" is a Peanuts masterpiece. The kids are just as we love them best - witty, precocious, adorable, sweet, and frustrated! Everyone should grow up watching this movie: Charlie Brown getting rocks in his bag, Linus' unwavering belief in the Great Pumpkin, Sally's calls of "Sweet Baboo," Lucy...being Lucy. All these superb comic elements blend to create one of the best holiday specials - or not even just for the holidays! - in history. If you've had the misfortune to never see this great piece, please go find it and watch it! You'll enjoy it no matter what your age. Have fun!

Even though COVID-19 has clearly put something of a damper on Halloween celebrations for this year - I think that (while self-isolating at home) one could still enjoy doing things like watching "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" once again.

In this cute and sentimental story of Trick-or-Treating - Charlie Brown and all of the regular Peanuts Gang join up at Violet's party in order to have one heck of a Happy Halloween together.

I watched a lot of the Charlie Brown specials when I was a kid, but have to admit that the only two I really remember are this one and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." So, basically, I'm thinking of one in terms of the other. "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" seems to miss some of what made the Christmas show really work. It doesn't seem to have any particular purpose or message, and at times I found it very negative. I know Charlie Brown is the always the butt of the jokes, but in this some of what was directed his way seemed mean rather than funny - like adults (presumably) throwing rocks in his trick or treat bag. And even Linus was being constantly picked on for his belief in The Great Pumpkin - a Santa Claus type figure Linus believes in who rises out of a pumpkin patch and delivers toys to children.

The show to me seemed more directed to adults than to children. There were a lot of references that would have gone over the heads of children. Things like "there are three things I should never discuss - religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin!" or Charlie Brown suggesting that his belief in Santa Claus and Linus' belief in the Great Pumpkin represent "denominational differences." Snoopy is always a great addition to these shows, and he's always cute enough for young ones to love, but his get-up as the World War I flying ace, and the extended part of the story about it also seemed to be extraneous.

Yeah. It brings back some good memories of childhood - not just of watching this year after year but of going trick or treating with friends and dressing up, but I still didn't find this anywhere near as magical as "A Charlie Brown Christmas," although I was delighted that at the end of the story a softer side of Lucy came out as she went and collected a shivering Linus from his fruitless night in the pumpkin patch and put him to bed. Brothers and sisters might fight, but in the end they love and care for each other. (5/10)

This special is great. I love the background music, especially the upbeat tempo played while Charlie Brown dances because he has finally been invited to a Halloween party...by mistake. The scene with Snoopy and the Red Baron is an abrupt switch from the storyline, but it is very well done; 5 minutes or so without any talking.

Did anyone notice how big the moon is in the pumpkin patch? It is huge!

So...It has the Red baron Snoopy WWI fantasy...and that is what you remember. That is the most awesome part of any Charlie Brown movie.

And...beyond that you have a kid making up a story and believing it that would, almost 30 years later, be spoofed in an episode of the Simpsons. So it has staying power.

But really, it's a childhood classic that you love first because it is wonderful and touching, then later because it's nostalgic, and then later because it is a generational tradition.

In other words it stands the test of time like the Godfather and so many other pure classics.

A few stray observations about "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown": 1. Who actually hands out rocks on Beggar's Night? Or maybe these people know Charlie Brown's coming and harvest rocks just for him. That'd lend a sadistic edge to this story.

2. Every year, maybe, just maybe, ol' Chuck *won't* fall for Lucy's football scam. I can't speak for anyone else, but I find myself thinking this every time.

Either way, this special is essential to a good family Halloween, what with its wholesome message about believing in something. It's rewarding, no matter how many Octobers have passed. Combine this with Vince Guaraldi's first-rate score and an infusion of warm Fall colors, and this thing's a keeper.

7/10

This movie meant much much more when I was little, but it's still fun to watch and reminisce.

A Halloween classic that never gets old. The Peanuts gang goes trick-or-treating while Linus sits in a pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin. All the kids are so adorable in this early special, especially Sally. The script is terrific and full of funny lines ("There are three things that I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."). Fantastic Vince Guaraldi music, Lucy and the football, Charlie Brown's pathetic ghost costume, the WWI flying ace, poison dog lips, and "I got a rock" are among the wonderful things about this timeless gem. I've seen it dozens, if not hundreds, of times since I was a child and it never gets old. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Boomer cartoons but ey these watercolor backgrounds r nice