Trumpet of the Swan, The MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +4

Another children's classic from E. B. White, author of Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, splashes onto the big screen. This animated adventure follows the escapades of Louie (voice of Dee Baker), a young trumpet swan born mute. Mother and Father (voices of Mary Steenburgen and Jason Alexander) as well as his sisters, Ella and Billie (E.G. Daily and Melissa Disney), with their strong melodic voices, make Louie feel like a failure. And Louie also looks for a way to express himself, especially to the female swan Serena (Reese Witherspoon). One day while flying over a city, the father swan hears a musician playing a trumpet. He then swoops down, crashes through a music store window and grabs a trumpet for Louie. Meanwhile, Louie's human friend, summer camp bird-watcher Sam Beaver (Sam Gifaldi), convinces his teacher (Carol Burnett) to teach Louie to read and write. Now Louies a trumpet-playing swan who can read and write. Louie's next challenge is to earn money so his guilt-ridden dad can pay back the music store owner. He becomes an overnight star when he is "discovered" performing in a Boston park. Clever, lively musical numbers, lovable characters, and an unusual story fill the screen with fun. TRUMPET OF THE SWAN will have a limited run in theaters, then go to video July 31. It's sure to entertain the whole family.

Louie shows young viewers that weaknesses can become strengths with perseverance and determination. Serena also shows that love can overcome even a lack of language barrier. Learning to read and write and play the trumpet makes the young swan unique and even famous. But our hero never forgets his goal – to help his father win back his honor. Although he stole the trumpet out of love for his son, the guilt of his wrongdoing drains Father of any hoped for joy. Returning to the scene of his crime, dad intends to make restitution, but the store owner meets him with shotgun in hand. It could be Father's "swan song." Some action scenes include Louie rescuing a young boy from drowning and Sam saving baby swans from the threat of a fox attack. A couple of friendly squirrels also comically free Louie from the clutches of his cheating promoter in Boston. However, these scenes will not scare youngsters. TRUMPET OF THE SWAN offers families a welcome relief from the usual summer drought of quality entertainment.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Columbia/ TriStar Film Distributors, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232