IMDb >
Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBedtime for Bonzo (1951) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 5 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
28 September 1951 (Finland) moreTagline:
The funniest new idea on film since "FRANCIS!"Plot:
College prof Peter Boyd tries to salvage his professional and personal reputation by using a lab chimp to prove that environment trumps heredity in behavioral development. full summary | add synopsisNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Tarzan Chimp Makes Hollywood Comeback (From WENN. 30 June 2008, 9:07 AM, PDT)
Former President Ronald Reagan Dies at 93
(From IMDb News. 6 June 2004)
User Comments:
Of presidents and chimps moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Ronald Reagan | ... | Prof. Peter Boyd | |
| Diana Lynn | ... | Jane Linden | |
| Walter Slezak | ... | Prof. Hans Neumann | |
| Lucille Barkley | ... | Valerie Tillinghast | |
| Jesse White | ... | Babcock | |
| Herbert Heyes | ... | Dean Tillinghast | |
| Herb Vigran | ... | Lt. Daggett (as Herbert Vigran) | |
| Harry Tyler | ... | Knucksy Breckenridge | |
| Edward Clark | ... | Professor Fosdick (as Ed Clark) | |
| Edward Gargan | ... | Policeman Bill (as Ed Gargan) | |
| Joel Friedkin | ... | Mr. DeWitt | |
| Brad Browne | ... | Chief of Police | |
| Elizabeth Flournoy | ... | Miss Swithen | |
| Howard Banks | ... | Policeman | |
| Perc Launders | ... | Fireman |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
83 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Filming Locations:
Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA moreFun Stuff
Trivia:
During the 1980 US Presidential campaign when Ronald Reagan was the Republican nominee; this film suddenly became extremely popular again and was frequently shown on television. The joke in Washington was that "Bedtime for Bonzo" was a "favorite of old movie buffs and Democrats". moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Bonzo is passed through the window, he has a skirt on that soon disappears. moreQuotes:
Peter Boyd: I'm going to make that old man change his attitude if it takes till I'm 90.Hans Neumann: Good, Peter. Good, good.
Peter Boyd: Of course, Valerie probably won't be interested in me when I'm 90.
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Perhaps the greatest achievement ever in Ronald Reagan's life | calorioles |
| Bonzo Goes to Bitsburg | dead_kenny311 |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Spider-Man 2 | The Nutty Professor | Born to Gamble | Les invasions barbares | The Black Widow |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |






I'm going to be honest; I kind of liked this movie. I, until a few weeks ago, had no idea that this film even existed, I'd only heard the phrase, "Bedtime for Bonzo," uttered by grandparents on a few scattered occasions. But after it was recommended to me, and I began to talk about it, I've realized that countless people of my generation have heard their parents and grandparents speak these words, and have no idea about the movie. So I couldn't resist finding out what the catalyst for this cliché really was.
Which brings me to my second issue in reviewing this film. Where do I come from? Or, rather, what angle? It's been pretty much universally panned by significant critics as well as in member reviews on sites like Netflix, Flixster, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, etc. etc. But how do you write about a movie in which a future U.S. President has kidnapped a monkey from a university in order to impress the dean, who he wishes will become his future father-in-law? One of the key scenes in this film, one where I would say a lot of the meaning is hidden is when The Gipper is up in a tree chasing Bonzo. But Bonzo is much smarter than our 40th president; he has climbed onto the roof, stolen Ronnie's glasses from his bureau drawer and is climbing on the phone wires, after he dials 911. The police and fire department show up and help Ronnie down the tree, and he begins to tell them that he was chasing a monkey with glass and clothes. They don't believe him, obviously, because that's how films work, if everyone agreed and worked together you get 'Batman and Robin,' which we can all agree is no fun to watch. Ah, America. That's all. Didn't thrill you? That's basically how the whole film is. It's got a certain camp appeal, which is definitely working for it. It's really just the notion of watching a president take care of a monkey and treat it like a baby that's so appealing. But the novelty never wears off. Really. I could have watch two more hours of it and not gotten bored. Outside of that camp aspect it's a comedy of values wherein Ronnie learns that the woman he was going for, trying to impress with the monkey stunt, is not for him and that the woman he hired as a nanny for Bonzo is really more his style, more wholesome. There's not much in the way of plot, or interesting shots, or anything really. It's an old studio film. Don't expect too much. But I think if all of America were forced to watch this we may have not allowed the Terminator to become Governor of California. And I won't persecute, that goes for Minnesota and Jesse "The Body" Venture as well. My suggestion after watching this: serialize it. I want a whole series of films where ex-presidents have a live-in week with Bonzo, allow zaniness to ensue, cut and print.