Annotations of The Complete Peanuts/1953 to 1954

==1953–1954== Annotations to The Complete Peanuts: 1953 to 1954 by Charles M. Schulz (Fantagraphics Books, 2004. 1560976144 p. 11 (January 25, 1953). Schroeder is playing the Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat, op. 106 "Hammerklavier" by Beethoven. This appears again on p. 110 (September 13, 1953). p. 16 (February 5, 1953). Bela Bartok was one of Hungary's greatest composers. p. 52 (May 1, 1953). Schroeder is singing from the 4th movement of the Symphony No. 9 in d, Op. 125 "Choral" by Beethoven. p. 63 (May 26, 1953). "Doggie in the Window" was Patti Page's #1 hit song in 1953. p. 122 (October 11, 1953). Ben Hogan was a famous professional golf player. (It is interesting to note that in these pre-1960s strips, Charlie Brown can sometimes be quite self-confident.) p. 130 (October 31, 1953). A contour sheet is a fitted bed sheet. p. 133 (November 5, 1953). Lucy is exercising her rights as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This may be a "topical" reference to "pleading the 5th" at the "McCarthy Hearings", starting in 1950. p. 149 (December 13, 1953). Schroeder is playing the waltz "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" op. 314 by Johann Strauss Jr.. p. 207 (April 26, 1954). Schroeder is smiling, and has a candelabra on his piano, as Liberace did in his television show at the time. d19540516p. 215 (May 16, 1954). Sam Snead and Ben Hogan were famous professional golfers. "Ike" refers to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, well-known for his love of golf. p. 225 (June 8, 1954). Miss Frances was the host of a popular children's television program. She invented the approach of talking to her young viewers as if they were in the room with her. p. 232 (June 24, 1954). Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Roy Campanella were popular baseball players of the era. p. 274 (October 2, 1954). After Lucy does some meaningless graffiti, Charlie Brown crosses the t. p. 280 (October 15. 1954). Handballs are quite small: 1⅞ inches (4.8 centimeters) in diameter. p. 281 (October 17, 1954). Outing flannel is particularly soft, having a nap on both sides.