A Charlie Brown Christmas The Making of a Tradition

Watching this charming, funny, Emmy Award-winning show has become an American institution during the holiday season, and for the first time this treasury celebrates the entire behind-the-scenes story of the making of the film. From Charles M. Schulz's original concept to his hugely successful collaboration with producer Lee Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez, this is the story of a show that broke new ground in television and led the way for dozens of well-loved Peanuts specials. In these pages, the producer and animator reveal how the storyline unfolded in creative meetings with Charles Schulz, and reflect upon more than three decades of work and friendship with the Peanuts creator. Included in this very special tribute are full-color images from the film; never-before-seen photographs, sketches, and production materials; interviews with musicians who were inspired by Vince Guaraldi's wonderful jazz trio music; and the full script of the show.Since its top-rated debut on CBS in December 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas has been one of America's most beloved television shows. Year after year, fans of all ages tune in to the Emmy-winning Christmas special that has earned a permanent place in the nation's popular culture. This collector's treasury contains the entire script of A Charlie Brown Christmas, illustrated with full-color stills from the animated film. Producer Lee Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez pay tribute to the program with personal memories and reflections about the show, including charming anecdotes about their long friendship and working career with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. Offering rare, behind-the-scenes insights, they also share memories of the late, great jazz pianist/composer Vince Guaraldi and provide never-before-published background sketches, storyboards, production sheets, and other materials that bring the making of the show to life. A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition also brings the sound of the show home with the piano/vocal musical scores for Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Linus and Lucy," two songs that have become standards of American popular music. As the very first Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas brought Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang to television. In addition to breaking the mold by using jazz music (which exposed millions of people to jazz for the first time and inspired a generation of jazz pianists), A Charlie Brown Christmas broke new ground by using real children for the voices instead of adult actors. Schulz, Mendelson, and Melendez created these and other innovations that made A Charlie Brown Christmas a unique and timeless work of animation art. A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition celebrates this award-winning and history-making show with warmhearted memories, fascinating trivia, and colorful animation art that will delight fans of all ages.Following the bestselling 'Peanuts: A Golden Celebration', this 35th anniversary deluxe edition of the making of America's most beloved Christmas special provides a behind-the-scenes look at the cherished film and its animation. 200 animated art images.Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of the TV special in a deluxe edition featuring never-before-published original (digitized) animation art, the complete script, the behind-the-scenes making of the cartoon, & Vince Guaraldi's original score & production notes.