a Charlie Brown Christmas page 4 by ric gustafson
So who was the producer that Charles Schulz put all of his trust in for his TV special?.
Leland Maurice Mendelson was born in San Francisco on March 24 1933. He was the only child of Palmer and Jeanette Mendelson. As a boy, Lee, as everyone called him, loved comic strips and radio programs. Lee graduated from San Mateo High School. Then he began attending Stanford University. He studied English Literature. Then Lee was drafted and served three years in the Air Force.
After the Air Force, Lee wanted to get into the new field of television. Lee got a job with a local CBS affiliate KPIX-TV. His job was that of a production assistant. After a while, Lee wanted to do longer format documentaries.
Frustrated at the station he was at, Lee left and started his own office. He became an independent producer. He produced an hour long documentary about pitcher Willie Mays. NBC bought the documentary. Then Lee wondered what his next documentary was going to be about. Then a thought came. He had always loved Charles Schulz and Peanuts. He picked up the phone.
research help: ' Charlie Brown's Christmas Miracle' by Michael Keane
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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