Bedtime for Bonzo

Professor Peter Boyd (Ronald Reagan) is all set to marry the Dean's daughter until the Dean discovers that there is a history of crime in Boyd's family. Backed by the arguement that environment shapes behavior, Boyd argues for the hand of the woman he loves, but the Dean insists on proof. Boyd then borrows the University chimp named Bonzo and sets out to teach him to behave like a human, thus proving that behavior is learned. He hires a young girl (Diana Lynn) to behave as the "Mama" of the family unit and to coach Bonzo. Will the experiment work?

A cute and breezy comedy, Bedtime For Bonzo is best known for Reagan's appearance. He isn't a great actor, but he is adequate in his role and has some truly funny moments with the chimp. The script is rather trite; we know what will happen when it happens, but it is charming just the same. This is a great film to show kids to introduce them to black and white movies too because it lacks smut.

Beneath the pleasant and funny moments we will have with this sympathetic chimpanzee, underlies the initial premise in the air. This original movie quickly states and even bets for the first option. In this sense, the kind manners and the good intentions are quite enough to change and shape what most of people use to think; opening a gate for the possibility to be a better human being if the conditions permit it.

Far beyond the anecdotic proposal, there is a lesson of ethic and moral that hovers the movie. There is a bit of surrealistic sequences (something absolutely necessary into a comedy) and the way he changes her initial election between the dean's daughter for his disinterested and new assistant Jane, seem to remark underlines that nobody is written or even predetermined by the destiny, we have the will and ways to make the destiny plays under our favour .

A legendary cult comedy movie.

When he was president, he was mocked for making this movie. Easy to do because the title sounds so ridiculous. Those who mocked him probably never viewed the film or viewed it objectively. Anyone other than Reagan, and it would not be the object of such criticism.

It takes skill for an actor to work with an animal in a film, especially one who steals a scene as easily as Bonzo. Ronald Reagan was very professional in tackling that difficult assignment, and gives a very believable performance. I would rate it in his top ten films.

A very good example of a successful "B" movie, the lower budget money-makers that studios thrived on before television killed that part of the industry.

This is a hilarious classic film! My wife and I almost fell off of the couch laughing at this movie! If you want to watch a great family movie (getting harder and harder to find), this is it!

I have yet to play this film for any child who didn't thoroughly love it. (and most adults seem to fall for its charm as well)
The most ridiculous and unfair criticism seems to be "what's a US president doing in a film with a chimp ?"
Well, Ronald Reagan was an actor first...and Bedtime for Bonzo is truly one of his most endearing films. It's an utterly charming tale that makes for great family viewing. It's also one of those movies that they absolutely, positively CAN NOT make anymore. Today's family oriented films come across as so PC and sickly sweet, that they quickly become unwatchable.
Bedtime for Bonzo is not only highly watchable, it's extremely entertaining on every level it was intended to be. Reagan is perfect in the lead role, and he is greatly supported by a superb cast, including Diana Lynn and Walter Slezak. Of course, the true star of the film is Bonzo, and I must admit, he was wonderful.
If you are looking for a great family film that's entertaining for all, then I would highly suggest this one. To me, it's much better than practically anything Disney ever put out. Give it a try, and I'm certain you'll agree.