Christmastime is here
Peanuts, 'Wonderful Life' offer true cheer
By Todd Leopold
CNN
 |
Charlie Brown, Linus and their forlorn little tree in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
Story Tools
ON CNN TV
|
"Eye on Entertainment" talks about the weekend's happenings on CNN's "Live Today" between 10 a.m. and noon EST Thursday.
|
|
(CNN) -- The Christmas sales have been going on since Halloween. The actual holiday isn't due for another two weeks. But as far as I'm concerned, this weekend really kicks off the Christmas season.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" are back.
Few programs -- and, despite "Wonderful Life's" film pedigree, it was only through endless showings on television that it really became a cultural touchstone -- have expressed the hopes and spirit of the season so well.
Both have genuine moments of despair. Whose heart doesn't sink when Charlie Brown puts the ornament on the little tree, and then -- watching it perilously bend -- cries, "I killed it!" Who doesn't weep when Jimmy Stewart, as George Bailey, hears from Clarence that Mary is "an old maid"?
And who doesn't fill with joy when the Peanuts gang fixes up the little tree and starts singing, or Stewart goes tearing through Bedford Falls, cheering how much he loves his stupid little town?
Only network execs could be so Grinch-ly, and maybe they are: both programs are on at the same time, Saturday at 8 p.m. -- "Charlie Brown" on ABC, and "It's a Wonderful Life" on NBC.
Eye on Entertainment rolls his retinas and sets his VCR.
Eye-opener
It's a shame, really, that both specials are competing against each other. Though both have been available on video for years, there's something about gathering around our modern fireplaces and watching them when they're scheduled.
We should feel lucky that both exist at all. Both programs could have vanished into the entertainment ether.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" was no sure thing. When it premiered in 1965, CBS -- its original network -- had great concerns over its content. Why, it's got a jazz score! Linus reads a Bible verse! Charles Schulz's message (and that of co-creators Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson) was anti-commercial! That must have made the marketing folks feel good.
Worse, even though the show was a hit, over the years the network played games with it -- trimming a few frames to fit in yet another commercial. Network execs have little appreciation of irony, obviously. (No word on whether ABC is going to do the same thing.)
"It's a Wonderful Life" wasn't a huge hit when it came out in 1946. The movie earned decent box office and mixed reviews, but the big movie story that year was "The Best Years of Our Lives," which went on to win best picture. ("Wonderful Life" was nominated for five Oscars and didn't win any.)
Indeed, the movie -- so associated with Christmas -- almost came out in January. It was only because RKO's original holiday feature wasn't ready that the release date was moved up.
Television saved the movie, as it was endlessly syndicated and soon became ubiquitous in December. Now we all know how George lassos the moon and wins the heart of Mary (Donna Reed), how that idiot Uncle Billy can't remember what he did with thousands of dollars, and all about the evil Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore).
And, if you're like me, you'll be learning it all over again Saturday night.
On screen
• Jack Nicholson loves a much younger woman -- but he finds he loves her mother (Diane Keaton) more, in "Something's Gotta Give." The movie, which also stars Keanu Reeves, opens Friday.
• Can't see Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear as brothers? How about conjoined twins? That's what they are in the new Farrelly brothers movie, "Stuck on You." Opens Friday.
• Nick Cannon and Christina Milian star in "Love Don't Cost a Thing," about a high schooler who convinces a cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend. Yeah, right. Opens Friday.
On the tube
• Part II of "Angels in America" airs on HBO Sunday, 8 p.m. EST.
• As if there wasn't enough singing this time of year, Fox has "Jingle Ball Rock '03." The music special stars Beyonce, Hilary Duff and Jessica Simpson. No sign of any American Idols, but don't say you haven't been warned. Monday, 8 p.m. EST, Fox.
Sound waves
• Joe's "And Then" (Jive) comes out Tuesday.
Paging readers
• If you're wondering what's going to happen in '04 -- or any time in the future -- you might want to take a look at "Nostradamus: The Man Behind the Prophecies" (St. Martin's). Ian Wilson, who has written books about the Shroud of Turin, takes a look at the legendary seer. Due December 18.
