Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)

67% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
38% of users liked it
(1,339 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: Frederick De Cordova
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 28, 1951 Wide
On DVD: May 31, 2005

Critic Reviews

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.
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
For once Reagan is in synch with his costar, but Bonzo the chimp proved the more able farceur.
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.
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.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
THE Ronald Reagan monkey-on-his-back movie...slapstick laughs.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Click to read the article.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
Literally The Greatest Thing Ronald Reagan Ever Did.
, Film4
The film is always enjoyable in spite of its shortcomings.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Cast

            Diana Lynn as Jane Linden

            Walter Slezak as Prof. Hans Neumann

            Lucille Barkley as Valerie Tillinghast

            Jesse White as Babcock

            Herbert Heyes as Dean Tillinghast

            Herb Vigran as Lt. Daggett

            Harry Tyler as Knucksy

            Joel Friedkin as Mr. DeWitt

            Howard Banks as Policeman

            Perc Launders as Fireman

            Brad Johnson as Student

            Billy Mauch as Student

            Ann Tyrrell as Operator

            Leslye Banning as Coed

            Tommy Bond as Student

            Bonzo the Chimp
            
            Edward Clark as Fosdick

            Larry Crane as Student

            Elizabeth Flournoy as Miss Swithen

            Edward Gargan as Policeman Bill

            Jack Gargan as Teacher

            Philo McCullough as Teacher

            Ronald Reagan as Prof. Peter Boyd

            Midge Ware as Coed

            Steve Wayne as Student

            Bridget Carr as Girl in car

            Larry Carr as Student

            Irmgard Dawson as Operator

            Larry Williams as Teacher
See full cast

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