Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don't Come Back!)

This 1980 fourth Peanuts animated feature released in theaters (from the same Bill Melendez-Phil Roman team who created the classic TV specials) is a lightweight cartoon travelogue-romp, in which iconic comic-strip character Charlie Brown is, without his knowledge, volunteered—along with Linus, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie—to embark on an exchange-student sojourn in Britain and France. Snoopy and Woodstock tag along as well (fans expecting a rematch with the Red Baron may be disappointed that Snoopy dons his uniform only to hoist a few root beers). Amidst the gentle multicultural comedy, the gang find themselves mysteriously invited to (and then locked out of) a forbidding chateau owned by a grouchy French recluse (this is a rare Peanuts outing in which adult characters are clearly seen and heard). Extras include a bonus “making-of” featurette that touches on Peanuts comics creator Charles “Sparky” Schulz's life-changing wartime service in the 20th Armored Division in France after D-Day. Recommended. (C. Cassady)