CHARLES SCHULZ� ANIMATED CLASSIC HALLOWEEN SPECIAL, �IT�S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN,� CELEBRATES IT�S 40TH ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

The classic animated Halloween-themed PEANUTS special, �It�s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown� (OAD on ABC 10/30/01), created by late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. The full-length version of the Charlie Brown favorite will also include a bonus PEANUTS cartoon in which Linus runs for class President, airing FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

PEANUTS focuses on the anxieties and joys of childhood as expressed by an ensemble cast of children who often seem wise beyond their years. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who perseveres despite continuous failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Central to the comic strip is Charlie Brown�s dog, Snoopy, who first stood on his hind legs in 1956 and became extremely popular for his imaginative adventures as a number of characters.

In the 1966 animated special �It�s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,� The PEANUTS gang celebrates Halloween, with Linus hoping that, finally, he will be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party. Cast members include Peter Robbins (�Charlie Brown�) and Christopher Shea (�Linus�).

The cast also includes Sally Dryer as Lucy, Chris Doran as Schroeder, Bill Melendez as Snoopy, Kathy Steinberg as Sally, Tracy Stratford as Violet and Ann Altieri as Frieda.

The special was executive produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.

This program carries a TV-G parental guideline and is broadcast with Spanish audio via SAP.