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Bedtime for Bonzo

  • 19511951
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
987
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
Trailer for Bedtime for Bonzo
Play trailer0:55
1 Video
10 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Family
  • Romance

A college professor attempts to salvage his personal and professional reputation by using a laboratory chimpanzee to prove that environment trumps heredity in behavioral development.A college professor attempts to salvage his personal and professional reputation by using a laboratory chimpanzee to prove that environment trumps heredity in behavioral development.A college professor attempts to salvage his personal and professional reputation by using a laboratory chimpanzee to prove that environment trumps heredity in behavioral development.

IMDb RATING
5.5/10
987
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Frederick De Cordova
  • Writers
    • Ted Berkman(story)
    • Raphael Blau(story)
    • Lou Breslow
  • Stars
    • Ronald Reagan
    • Diana Lynn
    • Walter Slezak
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frederick De Cordova
  • Writers
    • Ted Berkman(story)
    • Raphael Blau(story)
    • Lou Breslow
  • Stars
    • Ronald Reagan
    • Diana Lynn
    • Walter Slezak
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Bedtime for Bonzo
    Trailer 0:55
    Bedtime for Bonzo

    Photos10

    "Bedtime For Bonzo" Ronald Reagan, Herbert Vigran, Diana Lynn, Jesse White, Walter Slezak 1951 U-I
    Ronald Reagan and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan and Walter Slezak in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan and Diana Lynn in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan, Diana Lynn, and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)
    Ronald Reagan and Bonzo in Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ronald Reagan
    Ronald Reagan
    • Prof. Peter Boydas Prof. Peter Boyd
    Diana Lynn
    Diana Lynn
    • Jane Lindenas Jane Linden
    Walter Slezak
    Walter Slezak
    • Prof. Hans Neumannas Prof. Hans Neumann
    Lucille Barkley
    • Dr. Valerie Tillinghastas Dr. Valerie Tillinghast
    Jesse White
    Jesse White
    • Babcockas Babcock
    Herbert Heyes
    Herbert Heyes
    • Dean Tillinghastas Dean Tillinghast
    Herb Vigran
    Herb Vigran
    • Police Lt. Daggettas Police Lt. Daggett
    • (as Herburt Vigran)
    Harry Tyler
    Harry Tyler
    • Knucksy Breckenridgeas Knucksy Breckenridge
    Edward Clark
    Edward Clark
    • Professor Fosdickas Professor Fosdick
    • (as Ed Clark)
    Edward Gargan
    Edward Gargan
    • Policeman Billas Policeman Bill
    • (as Ed Gargan)
    Joel Friedkin
    • Mr. DeWittas Mr. DeWitt
    Brad Browne
    • Chief of Policeas Chief of Police
    Elizabeth Flournoy
    • Miss Swithenas Miss Swithen
    • (as Elizabeth Flourney)
    Howard Banks
    • Policemanas Policeman
    Perc Launders
    • Firemanas Fireman
    Brad Johnson
    Brad Johnson
    • Studentas Student
    Billy Mauch
    Billy Mauch
    • Studentas Student
    • (as Bill Mauch)
    Ann Tyrrell
    Ann Tyrrell
    • Telephone Operatoras Telephone Operator
    • Director
      • Frederick De Cordova
    • Writers
      • Ted Berkman(story)
      • Raphael Blau(story)
      • Lou Breslow
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Professor Peter Boyd's engagement to the Dean's daughter is upset by the revelation that his father was a habitual convict. To prove the Dean's genetic theory of inherited traits as wrong, Boyd starts a 'secret' experiment. He borrows the science department's chimpanzee with the goal of showing that it is one's environment that affects your reaction to right and wrong. —Richard Stephens <richards@metronet.com>
    • animal actor shares first name with character
    • animal actor shares full name with character
    • predilection for jewelry theft
    • monkey diaper
    • baby chimpanzee
    • 43 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The funniest new idea on film since "FRANCIS!"
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Often used by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show (1962) when Ronald Reagan was president partly because the former president was directed by Frederick De Cordova who was also the producer of The Tonight Show.
    • Goofs
      When Bonzo is passed through the window, he has a skirt on that soon disappears.
    • Quotes

      Hans Neumann: Who expects a psychologist to think? Especially when you are so busy thinking what you think other people are thinking.

    • Connections
      Featured in It's Showtime (1976)

    User reviews24

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Not what you might expect
    There has been a lot of negative stuff over the years about this film... It really is much funnier than you might expect...And a lot of it is done with an ironic tongue in cheek...If you decide to see it...Do so with an open mind! Ronald Reagan is more than competent in his leading role...A rather interesting accomplishment when you consider he had to play opposite a Chimp! At times the production values do leave a bit to be desired, but then, you could make the same comment about a LOT of films that are over 60 years old! It's not the most original film in the history of the cinema...But it certainly is much better than most!
    helpful•6
    1
    • NinotchkaYakushova
    • Feb 1, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 5, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bonzo'nun Maceraları
    • Filming locations
      • Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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