Art News

As ‘Peanuts’ Turn 60, Schulz Family Plans Future

WASHINGTON (AP).- Good grief, Charlie Brown. The world has certainly changed since the Peanuts were born. In 60 years, the U.S. sent a man to the moon, survived the Cold War and now has one of the worst economic funks in decades. All that time, Charles Schulz’s imaginary gang has been a fixture of newspaper funny pages and grainy holiday TV specials. Now, his family is working to keep Snoopy, Lucy and the rest alive for generations to come. A handful of new projects is in the works. The first new animated film in five years is set for release next spring called “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.” ABC just signed on for five more years of airing Charlie Brown holiday specials. A new social media game began on Facebook and Twitter last month to “Countdown to the Great Pumpkin,” and the comic strip has made its way to a popular gaming website for millions of children. The enduring appeal is no surprise, said Lee Mendelson, who produced the Peanuts films with Schulz for mo