Bedtime for Bonzo (1951)

In the heart of a bustling college campus, a romantic drama unfolds. Professor Peter Boyd, played by Ronald Reagan, an intellectual pillar in the field of psychology, finds himself ensnared in a love affair with the alluring Dr. Valerie Tillinghast, daughter of the stern college dean, Dean Tillinghast (Herbert Heyes). However, their impending nuptials are imperiled by a shadow from Boyd's past—his father's notorious criminal history. Tillinghast, a staunch believer in the power of heredity, opposes their union, casting a pall of doubt over their love story. Undeterred, Boyd embarks on an experiment to disprove Tillinghast's genetic theory. In a bold move, he commandeers Bonzo, the university's resident chimpanzee, intending to demonstrate that environment, rather than heredity, molds one's moral compass. Boyd's home soon becomes an unconventional laboratory, where the professor attempts to instill human virtues in Bonzo. Complications arise when Boyd hires the attractive Jane Linden (Diana Lynn) to serve as a trainer-cum-mother figure for Bonzo. Her presence in his household stirs up confusion and jealousy, threatening to further muddle the professor's already complicated personal life. Meanwhile, Bonzo's penchant for pilfering jewelry adds an additional layer of chaos to the mix. 'Bedtime for Bonzo' weaves a delightful tapestry of comedy, romance, and drama, where human relationships teeter on the brink of absurdity and a chimpanzee might just hold the key to resolving a profound philosophical debate. Will Boyd's unconventional experiment succeed, or will he lose his love in the process? The answer awaits in this charming cinematic gem.

Bedtime for Bonzo is a comedy movie featuring Ronald Reagan and directed by Frederick de Cordova.

It is possible to buy Bedtime for Bonzo on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.