Johnny Lingo (1969) User Reviews

Solid achievement that delivers mostly through its messages about love and respect

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 18 August 2017]

"Johnny Lingo" is a 25-minute live action short film from 1969, so only two more years until this has its 50th anniversary, maybe less depending on when you read this review. The film is in color and its director is Judge Whitaker. The one who adapted the original story by Patricia McGerr is Claire Whitaker and I'd be surprised if she isn't related somehow to Judge. He is mostly known for his work as an animator on several Disney classics and from his works as a director this one here may actually be his most known film, even if it is far from famous. I thinks as it is set on an island in the ocean, it is also visually fine, but if we are honest here about the story, that one also would have fit in half the running time. Contents-wise and character-wise, it reminded me a bit of a cartoon, maybe the effect of Whiaker's other works. I believe it also would have worked as a Disney animated short film for example. It's a close call, but thanks to the honorable statement on love and respect that I also mentioned in the title already, I will be generous and give the film a thumbs-up overall. There is no real greatness in here, but it is solidly romantic and touching and most of the production values are decent too. Go check it out. Final note: I won't go into detail about the Mormon references as I really know nothing about these people.

Worth a Watch

[TSHunter · 16 June 2003]

This movie was made and distributed by the Mormon Church. But, unlike most films that fall into the above category, this movie is not about religion, missionary work, joining any church, etc. and so forth. This short film could have quite possibly been made by anyone. That is what makes it so good. It is a story about a trader coming to one of the small islands of the world to get himself a wife. The island is so small, there is only room enough for one village. There are none of the modern conveniences of the rest of the world, and everything is either built by the villagers or acquired by traders who visit the island by boat and trade for their handmade goods. In this village, it is custom to bargain and pay the father of the bride in dairy cows. This may sound like a serious film, but it really is rather quite funny and has some real classic lines to it that I'm sure will endear you to the film. The story is simple yet original and the flow and pacing for the film is perfect. If you can pick it up, it would be worth the effort.

How to apply the golden rule in personal relationships

[jepowell · 10/10 · 11 January 2004]

Beyond the tremendous and true romantic love Johnny Lingo proves for his dear Mahana, he gives a tremendous object lesson in how to properly treat others, and bring out the very best in them. If all husbands would treat their wives the way Johnny treated Mahana, there could be no evil in the world.

So bad that it is brilliant

[dafalias · 10/10 · 27 December 2005]

Of course the story of Johnny Lingo is one of the classics for Mormon children; the message it conveys is true and probably much more important today than it was at the time it was made. What makes it really watchable though, are the performances. Not their quality, but on the contrary, the lack thereof. The acting is so stiff and inept that You will laugh tears. I don't think, that Johnny Lingo was intented as funny as it comes out, but it is always worth watching. Beside trying to convey the message, that beauty is relative, inner beauty is that counts and that every one needs someone to believe in him to reach his full potential, there is no reference to the Mormon church or Mormon beliefs at all.

oh my

[god1-1 · 1/10 · 31 July 2008]

Are you guys kidding? This is one of the worst films ever! The acting is atrocious, and there is almost nothing morally redeemable about the film at all. Racist, sexist, imperialistic--c'mon, get a life! The little 'slave' boy, grinning lackey slacker? Who just won't work reliably for the white trader? The idea that women's worth is to be measured on the basis of her looks (though admitting we can sometimes be wrong about it)???? That men set the value of all things, including women?

This is truly as bad as it gets. Too bad Mormon children --especially the girls-- have to grow up with this crap.

Outdated Mormon Classic

[yuukanna · 4/10 · 11 November 2019]

Outdated Mormon film that no longer stands up to modern scrutiny of moral standards. While it promotes the idea that there is beauty in the feeling of self worth, the film also takes the subjects of racism too lightly for modern comfort. Watching this would be like listening to grandpa tell a story and ignoring the fact that he doesn't even realize that the ideas in his story are a bit bigoted.

A 70's Grade School Staple

[pfstevens · 8 August 2004]

Johnny Lingo was shown a minimum of once a year at my grade school. It was light, memorable entertainment about a shrewd island trader who finds a wife for himself in a homely girl in whom he sees great beauty.

We were unaware of the Mormon connection this movie had, because it had no references to religion, Joseph Smith or the Utah desert. It was insidious, though, for after three years, both student and teacher alike was heard rating other people by "cows". The highest compliment was to be an "8 Cow Woman" or an "8 Cow Man".

I would not actively seek it out to shown my own child, as it does not rate as highly as the Ray Harryhausen fairy tale films, but it is well done, and conveys a wholesome message memorably.

"Eight cows are not enough for Mahana!"

[randymoon · 5/10 · 19 November 2020]

I haven't seen this movie since 1975, so I need to track it down. I look forward to seeing it with much older and wiser eyes. Just thinking about it brings back warm nostalgic feelings which I suppose, based upon some of the responses here, are going to be replaced by disappointment.

Worse movie of all time

[catsruleskw · 1/10 · 13 March 2022]

Horrible!!

Nothing positive came out of the movie .

Child abuse, bully's, sexism A women self worth isn't measured by what a man can buy her for.

Supposedly a religious film. No mention of God.

Just some stupid man being cocky. Boasting how he made this homely girl with no self esteem, beautiful. She was beautiful. She just need to get away from the dysfunctional men in her life.

AWFUL!!