showbizgal87 Review of Bedtime for Bonzo

Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)

Underrated Classic-give it a chance! (some spoilers)

[30 June 2004]

OK OK....so this film isn't Citizen Kane! But it is definitely worth watching, even if it is just to see President Reagan acting with a chimp. The story is basic- a professor tries to teach a monkey the difference between right and wrong to prove the dean of the college is wrong about hereditary traits. He decides to become the chimp's "Poppa" and hires a pretty young maid to be the "Momma." Basic plot? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Worth the watch? YES! Ronald Reagan was SOOO underrated as an actor, and this shows off his skills, even though it's not King's Row. My favorite scene is the breakfast scene where Prof. Boyd and Jane are trying to act like parents, and the Prof. calls Jane his "little chicken." I also like it when Hans calls the Prof. a "Dummkopf" (German for "stupid head.) The only thing I wish was different was that Jane would fall out of the tree, and Peter would catch her, maybe with his fiancée watching! 8/10