by Tim Gordon
In this heartwarming story, Franklin has trouble fitting in with the Peanuts gang; then, he learns about a Soap Box Derby race, and he’s sure that winning the race will also mean winning over new friends in Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin.
This animated television special in the Peanuts franchise is the first to center on the African-American character of Franklin Armstrong. The character, introduced in the comic strip on July 31, 1968, was the first black character in the strip. The special was co-written by Robb Armstrong, Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano from a story by Armstrong and Scott Montgomery, and was directed by Raymond S. Persi, with Caleb Bellavance starring in the title role.
The plot revolves around Franklin, the son of a military family, moving to a new town and struggling to make friends before ultimately partnering and bonding with Charlie Brown over racing in a Soap Box Derby.
Watch the review, below: