Bedtime for Bonzo

Bedtime for Bonzo is a family comedy film from 1951, directed by Fred de Cordova and produced by Universal Pictures. The movie stars Ronald Reagan as Dr. Peyton, a psychology professor who conducts an experiment on animal behavior, with the help of a cute little chimpanzee named Bonzo.

The plot of the movie revolves around Dr. Peyton, who is struggling to prove his theory that the environment plays a crucial role in shaping the behavior of animals, especially chimpanzees. To prove his point, he takes on the task of teaching Bonzo, a mischievous and playful chimp, to behave like a human. He is assisted in this seemingly daunting task by his colleague, a beautiful and intelligent psychology graduate named Peggy (played by Diana Lynn).

Although initially reluctant, Peggy soon gets on board with Dr. Peyton's plans and even tries to help him win the heart of her pretty next-door neighbor, Jane (played by Patricia Neal). However, as Dr. Peyton becomes more and more involved in his experiment with Bonzo, he realizes that he has bitten off more than he can chew. The chimp proves to be incredibly stubborn and difficult to train, leading to several hilarious situations that will have the audience in stitches.

Despite the challenges that he faces, Dr. Peyton is determined to succeed in his experiment and prove that his theories are correct. He even takes Bonzo to a political rally, where the chimp ends up causing chaos and entertaining the crowd with his antics. However, as the experiment progresses, Dr. Peyton begins to realize that he has become too attached to Bonzo and that the chimp has become more than just a test subject to him.

Overall, Bedtime for Bonzo is a charming and entertaining family movie that will delight audiences of all ages. The film's lead actors deliver strong performances, and the comedy is both witty and slapstick in nature, making it a perfect choice for a fun family movie night. The movie also presents an interesting look at animal behavior and the importance of environmental factors in shaping it, making it an ideal educational tool for animal enthusiasts and psychology students alike.

In conclusion, Bedtime for Bonzo is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time and remains an enjoyable and heartwarming movie to this day. With its wonderful cast, hilarious jokes, and important messages about animal behavior, it is a movie that should be added to every family's must-watch list.