Charlie Brown was created in 1950 by Charles Shultz as the main character of his comic strip Peanuts. Unlike most animated characters, Charlie has aged a little through the years. In 1950, it was said in the strip he was four years old. In 1957 he was six years old and since 1979 he has been portrayed as eight years old.
Charlie Brown was first portrayed as an energetic kid who pulled various pranks. Somehow, he evolved into a sad, misunderstood boy. His puppy, Snoopy, and sister, Sally, pretty much ran his life. He was the boy who had unbelievable heart with little to no talent. There was always the gag were Lucy would hold a football and promise she would let Charlie kick it, only to move it at the last minute.
Charlie Brown made his TV debut in 1965 with A Charlie Brown Christmas. The first Charlie Brown TV special became a classic. The story was about of Charlie trying to find the meaning of Christmas and believing that a little twig could be a great Christmas tree. Charlie Brown had over 40 TV specials, a feature film and two series.
The holiday specials always seem to be the episodes we remember. It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is a Halloween special, that stars Linus, Charlie’s friend. In the story Linus believes this great pumpkin will appear in the pumpkin patch. Charlie and the gang dress up and go trick or treating, everyone gets good stuff except Charlie, who gets rocks.
The Valentine classic, Be my valentine, Charlie Brown is also a holiday classic. Charlie Brown is desperately waiting for a valentine and does not receive one till the day after Valentines day. Linus is searching for the perfect gift for his teacher.
The little red haired girl is the object of Charlie’s affections throughout many of the shows. She is never named in the strip or the shows until It’s Your first kiss Charlie Brown, when Linus calls her Heather.
Many people have provided the voice of Charlie Brown. In the 1960s Peter Robbins did most of the voice work for Charlie Brown. Since then, Chad Allen, Erin Chase and Michael Mandy voiced the character. In the Broadway musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Gary Brughoff and Anthony Rapp both played Charlie.
Charlie Brown is an everyday kid with problems, just like most of us. I think this is why we love him so much. Each character from Peanuts represents a type of person or personality, allowing readers and viewers a chance to identify with one of them. I know a Lucy and a Sally. I went to school with a Schroder and many times I feel just like Charlie Brown.
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