Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
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67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
38% of users liked it
(1,366 ratings)
Forget what you've been led to believe: Bedtime for Bonzo is a most enjoyable film, and Ronald Reagan is not outacted by the chimpanzee. Reagan is cast as psychology professor whose reputation is sullied by the fact that his father was a convict. To prove that environment rather than heredity… More Forget what you've been led to believe: Bedtime for Bonzo is a most enjoyable film, and Ronald Reagan is not outacted by the chimpanzee. Reagan is cast as psychology professor whose reputation is sullied by the fact that his father was a convict. To prove that environment rather than heredity dictates a man's personality, Reagan uses Bonzo the chimp to test out his theories. The hairy little guy seems to be responding to the kindnesses lavished upon him--and then he is accused of robbery. Reagan nearly goes to jail in Bonzo's stead, but everything turns out all right in the end (we're not giving anything away; after all, everybody knows that there was a Bonzo Goes to College in 1952). While it's an uphill climb, Ronald Reagan and his able costars Diana Lynn and Walter Slezak manage to keep Bonzo from running away with the picture. And yes, director Fred DeCordova is the same guy who produced Johnny Carson's late-night show in the 1980s and 1990s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Frederick De Cordova
- Genres
- Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 28, 1951 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
As is, it is a minor bit of fun yielding a respectable amount of laughs but nothing, actually, over which to wax ecstatic.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A dim sitcom of the kind Universal turned out by the dozens in the early 50s, distinguished -- if that's the word -- by the presence of Ronald Reagan.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
For once Reagan is in synch with his costar, but Bonzo the chimp proved the more able farceur.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Its bland star, Ronald Reagan, survived playing second banana to a chimp to become the 40th President of the United States.
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Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... you might be surprised to discover that the modest little comedy is actually an enjoyable piece of light entertainment.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Diana Lynn
as Jane Linden
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Walter Slezak
as Prof. Hans Neumann
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Lucille Barkley
as Valerie Tillinghast
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Jesse White
as Babcock
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Herbert Heyes
as Dean Tillinghast
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Herb Vigran
as Lt. Daggett
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Harry Tyler
as Knucksy
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Joel Friedkin
as Mr. DeWitt
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Howard Banks
as Policeman
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Perc Launders
as Fireman
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Brad Johnson
as Student
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Billy Mauch
as Student
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Ann Tyrrell
as Operator
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Leslye Banning
as Coed
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Tommy Bond
as Student
- Bonzo the Chimp
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Edward Clark
as Fosdick
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Larry Crane
as Student
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Elizabeth Flournoy
as Miss Swithen
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Edward Gargan
as Policeman Bill
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Jack Gargan
as Teacher
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Philo McCullough
as Teacher
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Ronald Reagan
as Prof. Peter Boyd
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Midge Ware
as Coed
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Steve Wayne
as Student
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Bridget Carr
as Girl in car
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Larry Carr
as Student
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Irmgard Dawson
as Operator
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Larry Williams
as Teacher
