5 Things You Never Knew About ‘Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don’t Come Back!!)’
It’s hard not to smile when you hear the title Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don’t Come Back!!). Released on May 30, 1980, this animated movie marked the fourth feature film based on Charles M. Schulz‘s beloved Peanuts comic strip, and it took the gang on their most international adventure yet as Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Snoopy and Woodstock journey through France as part of a student exchange program.
It also holds a unique place in Peanuts history. Not only was it the last feature film overseen by Schulz himself, but it also gave fans a rare look at adult characters who, for once, didn’t speak in trombone gibberish. Whether you grew up watching it on VHS or only recently discovered it on streaming (rent it through Amazon Prime or other services), it still holds plenty of surprises. Let’s learn a few!
1 A real château inspired the film’s mystery setting
Paramount/Everett Collection
When Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock arrive in France, they’re sent to stay at a creepy old château called the “Château du Mal Voisin,” which translates to “House of the Bad Neighbor.” The estate was inspired by a real-life château where Charles M. Schulz was billeted during World War II. Located near the small town of Le Héron in Normandy, the Manoir de Malvoisine clearly left a lasting impression on Schulz.
2 Adults actually speak, and you see their faces too
Paramount/Everett Collection
Anyone who’s ever watched a Peanuts special remembers the iconic “wah-wah-wah” trombone that stood in for adult dialogue. But in this movie, adults appear on screen for the first and only time in a theatrical Peanuts film with fully visible faces and clearly spoken lines. Some longtime fans found it surprising, but the change helped drive the plot forward and made the cultural exchange feel more real.
3 The Price Is Right gave it a big send-off
Paramount/Everett Collection
To promote the film’s release in May of 1980, The Price Is Right dedicated part of its May 7 episode to the Peanuts gang’s European adventure. A clip from the movie aired featuring Snoopy misbehaving on a plane and sneaking Woodstock into the ashtray whenever the stewardess passed by, and the showcase prizes were all themed around their travels.
Viewers got to see a full European vacation package, tennis gear inspired by Snoopy’s trip to Wimbledon and even a French car like the one he drives in the movie. Topping it all off was a private Paramount screening for the winner and 24 of their friends.
4 Linus screams using Charlie Brown’s old voice
Paramount/Everett Collection
There’s a moment in the film when the château bursts into flames, and Linus lets out a high-pitched scream. The scream was actually a recycled soundbite from an earlier Peanuts production and originally came from Peter Robbins, the first actor to voice Charlie Brown. It was used often in earlier specials whenever he missed the football or faced one of life’s many letdowns. For this film, the animators reused it to add some emotional punch and maybe a little nostalgia, too.
5 It quietly marked the end of an era
Paramount/Everett Collection
While the movie was made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip, it also closed the book on a major chapter. It was the last Peanuts theatrical film overseen by Charles M. Schulz and directed by Bill Melendez using traditional animation. After this, the next full-length Peanuts movie wouldn’t arrive until 2015, a full 35 years later, with a modern CGI reboot.
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Kid Stuff
June 2018
Unleash your inner child by reliving your favorite kids TV shows, cartoons, toys and more!
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