Bonzo Goes to College
The film is referenced in an episode of M*A*S*H as a less-than-welcome choice for an evening movie.,Follows Bedtime for Bonzo (1951),In many ways, this sequel to "Bedtime for Bonzo" is more a stand-alone film. No mention is made of the first film nor its characters (aside from Bonzo) and you have no idea how Bonzo no longer is living with the professor and his lady love in the first movie (Ronald Reagan and Diana Lynn). Instead, the story begins with Bonzo working in a traveling show and only a bit later does he appear at a college--a different one from the first film. Confusing, huh?

After running away from a traveling show, Bonzo wanders about and arrives in a small college town. The football coach (Edmund Gwenn) and his hard luck team lost every game the season before and it looks like he'll soon get fired. But when they learn Bonzo can play football well AND is super-smart, they enroll him! But some evil gamblers kidnap Bonzo and it looks like the team won't win after all...or will it?

When you think about it, this is an awfully stupid plot...a chimp going to college and playing football. Well, it's certainly no dumber than Francis the Mule playing football...and he did during this same era! The film, though dopey, is cute and enjoyable because the actors try their best. But it's still a pale follow-up to the original...a film that I actually love and which worked much better than this one.

I'm giving this one a 4...and that might be a bit generous.,