Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don't Come Back!)
Encyclopedia
Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!) is a 1980 animated film produced by United Feature Syndicate for Paramount Pictures
, directed by Bill Meléndez
. It was the fourth and final full-length feature film to be based on the Peanuts
comic strip
, and was followed three years later by a 1983 television special, What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown?
, in which the gang sees memorials and places related to World Wars I and II.
Unlike most other Peanuts animated adaptations, this film is one of the few to prominently feature adults in both on-screen and speaking parts, without the use of the signature trombone speech ("wah-wah") sound effect. The four adults that are featured include a London
black cab driver who takes Snoopy
to Wimbledon
, a waiter in a London restaurant (with such a strong Cockney
accent that the kids cannot understand him), a French teacher, and the Baron (who is seen only as a silhouette).
In addition, the scene in the classroom involving an escalating confrontation between Charlie Brown
and Peppermint Patty
, who are forced to share a desk, was based on a series of Peanuts strips originally published in 1975, where Charlie Brown and his friends were sent across town to Patty's school after their own school collapsed (or "committed suicide", as Sally maintained).
The movie has not yet been released on DVD.
, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie
go to France. At the airport, the kids, Snoopy, and Woodstock are seen off by their friends. Lucy van Pelt
, who was not invited, tells Charlie Brown not to come back. On the plane, Charlie Brown reveals a letter he received that was written in French. Marcie, who had been studying French, translates and says it is an invitation from Violette Honfleur to stay at the Chateau du Mal Voisin, or The House of the Bad Neighbor. Peppermint Patty asks who Violette could be, but Charlie Brown has no idea. The group first arrives in London
and goes on a sightseeing tour downtown, while Snoopy and Woodstock play some tennis
at Wimbledon
. When he finds himself losing, Snoopy lashes out and gets thrown out. He and Woodstock head to Victoria station and rejoin the rest of the group. They eventually travel to France
and head to the farmhouse where Peppermint Patty and Marcie will be staying with Pierre. While Marcie seems to adjust quite well, Peppermint Patty experiences significant culture shock
. Charlie Brown produces the letter from Violette who Pierre says is the niece of the Baron who owns the Chateau. He says the Baron is a vile recluse
who hates everyone, especially foreigners.
When the boys arrive at the Chateau, a thunderstorm forces them to spend the night in an empty stable with nothing but Linus' blanket. That night, Snoopy, in his "World War I
Flying Ace" persona, and Woodstock head down to the local pub to down a few pints of root beer
. The next morning, Charlie Brown and Linus find that breakfast and warm blankets have been provided by an unknown benefactor. That night, the Baron leaves the Chateau to go to the pub and instructs Violette not to let the boys in. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and Linus agree to take turns standing watch to identify their mysterious benefactor. During Charlie Brown's watch, Linus wakes up to see him asleep. He sees that the blankets have been fixed and new food has been put out and goes to investigate. He enters the Chateau and eventually finds Violette, who says that her invitation was a mistake. She explains that her grandmother had told her the story of a wartime love affair that she had with Silas Brown, Charlie Brown's grandfather. He was an infantryman stationed in France during World War II, and stayed at the Chateau. When he received his marching orders, he promised to write letters which eventually stopped coming. Violette's grandmother moved on, though she never forgot him. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock are at the pub playing foosball and overhear the Baron confide in the bartender that knows about the boys and has tolerated them long enough. The Baron returns home to Violette's surprise, and in her rush to get rid of Linus out of the room, Violette accidentally knocks down a candle which causes a fire throughout the house. Linus takes her towards a pair of casement windows, throws them open and shouts for help. Charlie Brown wakes up and runs to the pub. Snoopy and Woodstock rush off to the Chateau and Charlie Brown continues running to the farmhouse. Pierre calls the Fire Department, while Peppermint Patty and Marcie follow Charlie Brown towards the flamed Chateau.
When Snoopy and Woodstock arrive at the Chateau, it is engulfed in flames. Snoopy immediately heads to a shed and brings out an old fashioned fire hose, while Linus throws his blanket down to Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Pierre which they use to catch Violette when she jumps from the window. Snoopy moves a barrel of water under Linus who also jumps to safety. He then barks out instructions to work the hose but the intense water pressure spins him around, splashing Charlie Brown. Woodstock pops out of the hose with a violin and begins playing along to the dramatic scene. While Snoopy is working the hose, a fire truck with three shadowed fire fighters arrives and the fire is extinguished. The Baron, thankful they saved his niece and the Chateau, promises that he will never be so inhospitable again. Charlie Brown learns the full truth behind the mysterious letter he received: many years ago, an American friend of Violette's family stopped in a small village to have his hair cut, and the barber was Charlie Brown's father. She found out about Charlie Brown and wrote the letter inviting him to stay. As the group leaves the Chateau to go home, she gives Silas's satchel
to Charlie Brown. The group says their goodbyes and gets into their beat-up rental car.
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, directed by Bill Meléndez
Bill Melendez
José Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
. It was the fourth and final full-length feature film to be based on the Peanuts
Peanuts
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
, and was followed three years later by a 1983 television special, What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown?
What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown?
What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown? A Tribute is the 26th prime-time animated television special based upon the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz, who introduced the special...
, in which the gang sees memorials and places related to World Wars I and II.
Unlike most other Peanuts animated adaptations, this film is one of the few to prominently feature adults in both on-screen and speaking parts, without the use of the signature trombone speech ("wah-wah") sound effect. The four adults that are featured include a London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
black cab driver who takes Snoopy
Snoopy
Snoopy is an fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. He is Charlie Brown's pet beagle. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip's most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable...
to Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, a waiter in a London restaurant (with such a strong Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
accent that the kids cannot understand him), a French teacher, and the Baron (who is seen only as a silhouette).
In addition, the scene in the classroom involving an escalating confrontation between Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown
Charles "Charlie" Brown is the protagonist in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.Charlie Brown and his creator have a common connection in that they are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz's work is described as the "most shining example of the American success story", Charlie...
and Peppermint Patty
Peppermint Patty
Patricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. A freckle-faced auburn/brunette, she is one of a small group in the strip who lives across town from Charlie Brown and his school friends...
, who are forced to share a desk, was based on a series of Peanuts strips originally published in 1975, where Charlie Brown and his friends were sent across town to Patty's school after their own school collapsed (or "committed suicide", as Sally maintained).
The movie has not yet been released on DVD.
Plot
As part of an exchange program, two French students, Babette and Jacques, are spending two weeks at Charlie Brown's school, while he, Linus van PeltLinus van Pelt
Linus van Pelt is a character in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. The best friend of Charlie Brown, Linus is also the younger brother of Lucy van Pelt and older brother of Rerun van Pelt. He first appeared on September 19, 1952; however, he was not mentioned by name until three days later....
, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie
Marcie (Peanuts)
Marcie is a bespectacled fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. She serves as comedic foil and best friend to tomboy Peppermint Patty, plays a supporting role in some of Snoopy's heroic fantasies, and displays a romantic interest in Charlie Brown, who seems to love...
go to France. At the airport, the kids, Snoopy, and Woodstock are seen off by their friends. Lucy van Pelt
Lucy van Pelt
Lucille "Lucy" van Pelt is a fictional character in the syndicated comic strip :Peanuts, written and drawn by Charles Schulz. She is the main bully and the older sister of Linus and Rerun. Lucy is a crabby and cynical eight-year old girl, and often bullies the other characters in the strip,...
, who was not invited, tells Charlie Brown not to come back. On the plane, Charlie Brown reveals a letter he received that was written in French. Marcie, who had been studying French, translates and says it is an invitation from Violette Honfleur to stay at the Chateau du Mal Voisin, or The House of the Bad Neighbor. Peppermint Patty asks who Violette could be, but Charlie Brown has no idea. The group first arrives in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and goes on a sightseeing tour downtown, while Snoopy and Woodstock play some tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
at Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
. When he finds himself losing, Snoopy lashes out and gets thrown out. He and Woodstock head to Victoria station and rejoin the rest of the group. They eventually travel to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and head to the farmhouse where Peppermint Patty and Marcie will be staying with Pierre. While Marcie seems to adjust quite well, Peppermint Patty experiences significant culture shock
Culture shock
Culture shock is the anxiety, feelings of frustration, alienation and anger that may occur when a person is emplaced in a new culture.One of the most common causes of culture shock involves individuals in a foreign country. Culture shock can be described as consisting of one or more distinct phases...
. Charlie Brown produces the letter from Violette who Pierre says is the niece of the Baron who owns the Chateau. He says the Baron is a vile recluse
Recluse
A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester." There are many potential reasons for becoming a recluse: a personal philosophy that rejects consumer society; a...
who hates everyone, especially foreigners.
When the boys arrive at the Chateau, a thunderstorm forces them to spend the night in an empty stable with nothing but Linus' blanket. That night, Snoopy, in his "World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Flying Ace" persona, and Woodstock head down to the local pub to down a few pints of root beer
Root beer
Root beer is a carbonated, sweetened beverage, originally made using the root of a sassafras plant as the primary flavor. Root beer, popularized in North America, comes in two forms: alcoholic and soft drink. The historical root beer was analogous to small beer in that the process provided a drink...
. The next morning, Charlie Brown and Linus find that breakfast and warm blankets have been provided by an unknown benefactor. That night, the Baron leaves the Chateau to go to the pub and instructs Violette not to let the boys in. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown and Linus agree to take turns standing watch to identify their mysterious benefactor. During Charlie Brown's watch, Linus wakes up to see him asleep. He sees that the blankets have been fixed and new food has been put out and goes to investigate. He enters the Chateau and eventually finds Violette, who says that her invitation was a mistake. She explains that her grandmother had told her the story of a wartime love affair that she had with Silas Brown, Charlie Brown's grandfather. He was an infantryman stationed in France during World War II, and stayed at the Chateau. When he received his marching orders, he promised to write letters which eventually stopped coming. Violette's grandmother moved on, though she never forgot him. Meanwhile, Snoopy and Woodstock are at the pub playing foosball and overhear the Baron confide in the bartender that knows about the boys and has tolerated them long enough. The Baron returns home to Violette's surprise, and in her rush to get rid of Linus out of the room, Violette accidentally knocks down a candle which causes a fire throughout the house. Linus takes her towards a pair of casement windows, throws them open and shouts for help. Charlie Brown wakes up and runs to the pub. Snoopy and Woodstock rush off to the Chateau and Charlie Brown continues running to the farmhouse. Pierre calls the Fire Department, while Peppermint Patty and Marcie follow Charlie Brown towards the flamed Chateau.
When Snoopy and Woodstock arrive at the Chateau, it is engulfed in flames. Snoopy immediately heads to a shed and brings out an old fashioned fire hose, while Linus throws his blanket down to Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Pierre which they use to catch Violette when she jumps from the window. Snoopy moves a barrel of water under Linus who also jumps to safety. He then barks out instructions to work the hose but the intense water pressure spins him around, splashing Charlie Brown. Woodstock pops out of the hose with a violin and begins playing along to the dramatic scene. While Snoopy is working the hose, a fire truck with three shadowed fire fighters arrives and the fire is extinguished. The Baron, thankful they saved his niece and the Chateau, promises that he will never be so inhospitable again. Charlie Brown learns the full truth behind the mysterious letter he received: many years ago, an American friend of Violette's family stopped in a small village to have his hair cut, and the barber was Charlie Brown's father. She found out about Charlie Brown and wrote the letter inviting him to stay. As the group leaves the Chateau to go home, she gives Silas's satchel
Satchel (bag)
A satchel is a bag, often with a strap. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. They are tradionally used for carrying books....
to Charlie Brown. The group says their goodbyes and gets into their beat-up rental car.
Cast
- Arrin Skelely as Charlie BrownCharlie BrownCharles "Charlie" Brown is the protagonist in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.Charlie Brown and his creator have a common connection in that they are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz's work is described as the "most shining example of the American success story", Charlie...
- Daniel Anderson as Linus Van PeltLinus van PeltLinus van Pelt is a character in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. The best friend of Charlie Brown, Linus is also the younger brother of Lucy van Pelt and older brother of Rerun van Pelt. He first appeared on September 19, 1952; however, he was not mentioned by name until three days later....
- Patricia Patts as Peppermint PattyPeppermint PattyPatricia "Peppermint Patty" Reichardt is a fictional character featured in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. A freckle-faced auburn/brunette, she is one of a small group in the strip who lives across town from Charlie Brown and his school friends...
- Casey Carlson as Marcie
- Annalisa Bortolin as Sally BrownSally BrownSally Brown is the younger sister of Charlie Brown in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz. She was first mentioned in early 1959 and throughout a long series of strips before her first appearance in August 1959.-Appearance:...
- Michelle Muller as Lucy Van PeltLucy van PeltLucille "Lucy" van Pelt is a fictional character in the syndicated comic strip :Peanuts, written and drawn by Charles Schulz. She is the main bully and the older sister of Linus and Rerun. Lucy is a crabby and cynical eight-year old girl, and often bullies the other characters in the strip,...
- Bill Melendez as SnoopySnoopySnoopy is an fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. He is Charlie Brown's pet beagle. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip's most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable...
and WoodstockWoodstock (Peanuts)Woodstock is a fictional character in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts. He is Snoopy's closest friend and, after Snoopy, the most recognized non-human in the strip.-History:... - Pascale De Barolet as Pierre
- Roseline Rubens as Violette, Patty, Sophie, Frieda, Violet
- Scott BeachScott BeachScott Beach was a popular actor, writer, and disc jockey.-Biography:Born Alvin Scott Beach, he appeared in numerous motion pictures, most notably as a German scientist patterned after Wernher von Braun in The Right Stuff.Beach's deep, resonant voice was often heard in films...
as Waiter, Baron, Driver, Tennis Announcer, English Voice, American Male - Mel BlancMel BlancMelvin Jerome "Mel" Blanc was an American voice actor and comedian. Although he began his nearly six-decade-long career performing in radio commercials, Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros...
as assorted vocal effects
Production credits
- Paramount Pictures Presents
- A Lee Mendelson-Bill Melendez Production
- BON VOYAGE, CHARLIE BROWN (AND DON'T COME BACK!!)
- Copyright ©1980
- by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
- All rights reserved
- The "Peanuts" Comic Strip Written and Created by
- Charles M. SchulzCharles M. SchulzCharles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.-Early life and education:Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Schulz grew up in Saint Paul...
- Executive Producer
- Dani MichaeliDani MichaeliDaniel "Dani" Michaeli is an American television writer and producer. He is known as a writer on SpongeBob SquarePants.-Television:*2004: South Park - Consultant, 6 episodes*2006-present: SpongeBob SquarePants...
- Produced by
- Lee MendelsonLee MendelsonLee Mendelson is an American television producer. He is best known as the executive producer of the many Peanuts animated specials....
- and
- Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
- Music by
- Ed BogasEd BogasEd Bogas, born Edgar Noel Bogas, and sometimes credited as Edward Bogas, is an American rock musician and composer and whose work has been featured in films, animations, and video games.-Career:...
- and
- Judy Munsen
- Directed by
- Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
- Co-Directed by:
- Phil RomanPhil RomanPhilip Roman , is an animator. He is the founder of animation studios Film Roman and Phil Roman Entertainment. Roman is of Mexican American descent....
- Designed by:
- Evert Brown
- Bernard GruverBernard GruverBernard Gruver was best known as one of the original animators of the Peanuts cartoon series. He also was an animation professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinema. He was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles in 1985.-External links:*...
- Dean Spille
- Lance Nolley
- Animation by:
- Sam Jaimes
- Hank SmithHank SmithHank "Henry" Smith was a cartoon animator, who worked for many Hollywood animation studios during the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. His work includes numerous cartoons for television, including many featuring Mr. Magoo, The Road Runner, Fat Albert, and many of the Peanuts television specials with...
- Al Pabian
- Joe Roman
- Ed Newmann
- Bill LittlejohnBill LittlejohnWilliam Charles Littlejohn was an American animator and union organizer. Littlejohn worked on both animated shorts and features from the 1930s through to the 1990s...
- Bob Carlson
- Dale BaerDale BaerDale Baer is a character animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has been supervising animator of many characters.- Supervising Animator :* Yzma/Yzma Kitten - The Emperor's New Groove * Alameda Slim, and Junior - Home on the Range...
- Spencer Peel
- Larry Leichliter
- Sergio Bertolli
- Utit Choomuang
- Hank Tucker
- Larry Huber
- Irv AndersonIrv AndersonIrvin Neil "Irv" Anderson was a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1965–1983, and again from 1991–2007....
- Jeff Hale
- Backgrounds by:
- Tom O'Loughlin
- Checking:
- Carole Barnes
- Eve Fletcher
- Jane Gonzales
- Ink and Paint Supervisor:
- Joanne Lansing
- Ink and Paint:
- Joanne Lansing
- Lee Guttman
- Joan Pabian
- Julie Maryon
- Lee HoffmanLee HoffmanLee Hoffman, born Shirley Bell Hoffman, was an American science fiction fan, an editor of early folk music fanzines, and an author of science fiction, Western and romance novels.In 1950-53, she edited and published the highly-regarded science fiction fanzine, Quandry...
- Adele Lenart
- Valerie Green
- Karin Stover
- Micky Kreyman
- Chandra Poweris
- Roubina Babajanian
- Pat Capozzi
- Ginny Hansard
- Emalene Seutter
- Voices:
- Daniel AndersonDaniel AndersonDaniel Anderson may refer to:* Daniel Anderson , American basketball player* Daniel Anderson , member of the band Idiot Pilot* Daniel Anderson , Australian rugby league coach...
- Scott BeachScott BeachScott Beach was a popular actor, writer, and disc jockey.-Biography:Born Alvin Scott Beach, he appeared in numerous motion pictures, most notably as a German scientist patterned after Wernher von Braun in The Right Stuff.Beach's deep, resonant voice was often heard in films...
- Casey Carlson
- Debbie Muller
- Patrica Patts
- Laura Planting
- Arrin Skelley
- Bill MelendezBill MelendezJosé Cuauhtémoc "Bill" Meléndez was a Mexican-American character animator, film director, voice artist and producer, known for his cartoons for Warner Brothers, UPA and the Peanuts series...
- Annalisa Bortolin
- Roseline Rubens
- Pascale de Barolet
- Editing:
- Chuck McCannChuck McCannChuck McCann is a film actor, television actor, stage actor, and a voice actor from Brooklyn, New York.-Early career:...
- Roger Donley
- Music Editing:
- Roger Donley
- Negative Cutting:
- Alice Keillor
- Production Manager
- Carole Barnes
- Production Assistants
- Lora Sackett
- Martha Grace
- Sandy Claxton Arnold
- Carol Neal
- Jane Mason
- Camera: Nick Vasu, Inc.
- Recording:
- Mix: Producers' Sound Service, Hollywood
- Dialogue: Music Annex, San Francisco
- Music: Filmays/Wally Heider, San Francisco
- Color by: Movielab-Hollywood, Inc.
- A Lee Mendelson-Bill Melendez Production
- in association with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates
- The persons and events in this film are frictitious
- Any similary to actual persons is purely coincidental.
- This motion picture is protected under laws of
- the United States and other countries. Unauthorized
- duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in
- civil liability and criminal prosection.
- Approved No. 25931 Motion Picture Association of America
- The End