Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown is the fourth film in the Peanuts feature film franchise. This 1980 film stars Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie as they travel to Europe to represent their schools in a student exchange program. Of course, Snoopy tags along with his buddy Woodstock to help the kids maneuver through the streets of England and France.

Their plane trip to England is hysterical as Snoopy and Woodstock get first class treatment leaving the four kids to experience coach travel. Upon their arrival in London, they decide to tour the city before leaving for their destination in France. Snoopy is well prepared, having packed his tennis togs and racket to take in some court time at Wimbledon. While he’s swinging his racket, the kids are trying to understand their British waiter to order their lunch.

Then the group heads over to France via a hovercraft and once on French soil they rent a car, with Snoopy as the designated driver. Thank goodness Marcie knows how to speak French. She is able to help them as well as translate a letter Charlie Brown received before they left home. The letter is an invitation for him to stay at a local chateau, so after dropping off Marcie and Peppermint Patty with their host family, Charlie Brown, Linus, and Snoopy head to the chateau.

When they get there the boys discover no one is home and there are no preparations for them. So they make the best of things and sleep in the stable area. In the morning a breakfast has been magically assembled for them. But who brought it and why all the mystery?

The mystery of the chateau is foremost in the plot. But the fun comes via the kids and Snoopy. These guys are always good for a laugh. Peppermint Patty is convinced Pierre, the little boy hosting the two girls, is enchanted with her. The truth is, Pierre is really attracted to Marcie but Peppermint Patty’s ego doesn’t see that. All she sees is that she is the object of his affections. Typical Peppermint Patty.

This is a fun film and because it encompasses three countries, the settings and encounters in which the kids find themselves are often laugh-out-loud funny. These little kids have stolen the hearts of viewers for decades and they continue to do so in this movie.

A “making of” bonus featurette explains how the story came to be. Charles Schultz, the creator of the comic strip, had spent time in France during the war and as viewers see, the cafe in which Snoopy spends much of his time was created to represent the one Schultz visited while in France. Plus, the chateau where Linus and Charlie Brown sleep represents the chateau from Schultz’s history during the war.

The filmmakers did not have modern technology at the time they created this movie so they relied on hand made drawings, which for a feature length animated film was daunting because keeping viewers interested in an animated movie was tricky. But they managed beautifully and with the help of the beloved Peanuts characters, this film remains a beloved story.

Bon Voyage Charlie Brown, And Don’t Come Back! is rated G for all audiences.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Sofia the First is a popular series on Disney Junior. Sofia is beloved by girls of all ages and holds a special appeal to young girls. When she needs help and guidance, other Disney princesses often visit Sofia. “Dear Sofia: A Royal Collection” is a compilation of six episodes from the series, four of which feature other Disney princesses.

In “The Amulet and the Anthem” Sofia gets a little too pompous when she is selected to sing the anthem at the Harvest Festival. Her magic amulet unleashes a curse because she was not nice to her friends making Sofia unable to sing because she croaks like a frog. Princess Belle arrives to impart some advice. Sofia learns saying “I’m sorry” isn’t enough. As Belle says, “Actions speak louder than words.” She tells Sofia, “Use all your might to make it right.” Sofia does make amends with her friends and the curse is broken.

Mulan comes to assist Sofia in “Princesses to the Rescue.” When Sofia, James, Amber, and King Roland travel to the Jade Valley to visit June, Jin, and their father. Jin and James discover a treasure map and go in search of the jewels, unaware that the Jade Jaguar guards the treasure. And he’s not a statue. He’s real. And he doesn’t want people coming into his cave of treasures. Soon their fathers go after the boys and are trapped in the cave along with James and Jin. Sofia, Amber, and June then go to help rescue the others. Mulan’s words of encouragement to not give up and that they are stronger than they think are just what the girls need to rescue the boys and their fathers.

“Winter’s Gift” introduces Winter, a faun who has the power of ice. It’s Wassailia time and for the past year Winter has been alone because everything she touches turns to ice, like Princess Elsa. But she cannot control it. Now she must find a gift to take to the witch to get her power lifted. Sofia is on a quest to gather Ice Lillies to give to Cedric after she decides her homemade box for his magic wand is not special enough. With the guidance of Princess Tiana, they all learn that a gift should come from the heart.

“Two to Tangu” has the gang from Royal Prep visiting the kingdom of Tangu and their friend Zandar who gives them magic carpets to ride to his special party. Amber is not happy about riding a carpet. After all, she doesn’t want to get her hair messed up. Actually, she is afraid of riding on a carpet. Amber agrees to go and she and Sofia get a wild carpet. This little fellow doesn’t listen to directions and they wind up lost in the kingdom until Jasmine arrives to teach them how to tame a wild carpet. Her lesson to them is not to be afraid to try new things.

The fifth episode in this collection is “Minimus is Missing.” No princesses come to help in this episode, however. It is Amber who manages to help when all the flying horses fall under a spell of a young wizard named Wendell. With no flying horses, Sofia, James, and Amber take off on the three Griffins from the castle’s jewel room. They follow the horses to Tangu where they have all been detained.

There is a bonus episode on this disc. “Cool Hand Fluke” has the family once again in Merroway Cove where the underwater kingdom welcomes them back. Sofia magically transforms into a mermaid again and the merpeople are happy to see her. They decide to present the royal family with a song but Fluke is jealous of Sofia for saving them the last time she was there and manages to make a mess of things. In the end they all learn that jealousy is not a worthwhile emotion.

Episodes in Sofia the First are filled with delightful songs and in each episode a valuable lesson is taught, although viewers won’t know they are learning. All young viewers will know is that they are enjoying a fun story with the little Disney princess.

Included in this DVD is a Sofia pen and a card on which to send the little princess a personal message. The envelope is pre-addressed to Sofia. No, it doesn’t go to Enchancia. It goes to New York. But I’m sure the folks in the big apple will forward the messages to Princess Sofia.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

The Peanuts gang is back for another fun episode. Actually three stories are included in this new DVD: “He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown,” “It’s a Short Summer, Charlie Brown,” and an episode from “The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show.”

Good grief! Everyone is going to summer camp except Peppermint Patty who must stay home to attend summer school. Even little Rerun is going. Lucy and Linus’ younger brother is anxious to learn to play marbles and be a champ like his grandfather. But the little kid gets suckered into losing all of his marbles to the camp’s bully. It’s then when good old Charlie Brown steps in and with the help of Snoopy, learns to play marbles and wins all of little Rerun’s marbles back. Yes, Charlie Brown is the hero in this story.

“It’s a Short Summer, Charlie Brown” also takes place in summer camp. It’s the boys against the girls in swimming and softball and all kinds of competitions. Lucy and Peppermint Patty have made the girls into a real team, while the boys are pretty much not working together. But when they decide to challenge the girls to a wrist-wrestling contest, it is Snoopy who, disguised as “The Masked Marvel,” is up against Lucy to see who is the champ.

The final episode in this collection has a bit of everything. Little Rerun has plenty of adventures on the back of his mom’s bicycle. What will Linus do when his blanket is lost? And there are more fun antics with the gang as they continue to entertain viewers as only they can do.

Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation Marketing at Warner Bros. said, “We’re delighted to release this inspiring collection. If you love Peanuts, this is one title you won’t want to miss.”

Whether you love Charlie Brown, Linus, Schroeder (who manages to take his piano to camp), Lucy, Rerun, Peppermint Patty, Marci, Snoopy, Patty, Franklin, Pigpen, or Sally, you’ll find they all have fun in this collection of Peanuts stories that is meant for the entire family.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter