An Indiana family embarks on their dream vacation to France. The Willard family, led by Harry (Fred MacMurray) and Katie (Jane Wyman), bring their three children along to experience a slice of continental culture abroad. Amy (Deborah Walley) is the lovestruck teenager whose brother Elliott (Tommy Kirk) is easily as eager for love. Younger brother Skipper (Kevin Corcoran) is the mischievous moppet who is always getting lost. Elliott is mesmerized by a pretty French maid, Amy is wooed by a wealthy teen, and Katie fends off the advances of an amorous playboy. From Paris to Monte Carlo, the Willard family experiences culture shock firsthand and realizes quickly they are not back home in Indiana. This Walt Disney production, while focusing on less childlike themes than in other films, still managed to take in five million dollars in its initial domestic release. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
For a good Fred MacMurray film, rent The Happiest Millionaire. Its really fun. But Bon Voyage should be allowed to set sail without you and your family aboard.
Bon Voyage tells the story of one familys vacation to Paris.
The daughter is likely about 18 and the sons 16 and 12. Before our family turned it off, the movie showed MacMurray standing by as his daughter is kissed and pawed by young man, his wife is kissed and pawed by a gigolo, and his oldest son embarks on a quest to find a girl he can kiss and paw. We also got to see MacMurray and his oldest son approached by a Parisian working woman (yes, that sort of working woman). This is done discreetly, but its pretty transparent. Oh, and the 12-year-old son roams the streets of Paris alone. Hell come back eventually, right?
Sound like your typical Disney movie? We kept expecting it to get better, but lost patience near the end. Save your time, and get another title. Let this ship pass in the night.
This movie was quite entertaining -- quite a little jaunt. However, it would have been so much better if Fred MacMurray hadn't stolen all the scenes and would have given Jane Wyman more time before the camera! Such a talent she was!