Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones (1971 TV Movie) User Reviews

Does Anyone Know Where I Can Get A Copy of This Movie?

[sdrcpa · 7/10 · 20 August 2005]

I remember anxiously awaiting the making of this movie when it was advertised in 1971. I read the book first as it was on the Freshman required reading list at the state university I attended. The book was written by Ann Head and dedicated to her teenage daughters and it really contained a great story. Condensing it down for a "made for TV" movie did not make for a great script. Please remember that this was in the middle of the sexual revolution that began in the 1960's and TV was just beginning to tackle sensitive social issues such as premarital sex and teenage pregnancy. These issues have been around since the beginning of time but no one ever talked about them. The old mentality of "out of sight-out of mind" was very prevalent in those days. If we did not talk about it, it was as if it didn't exist. As with anything in the beginning, most things do improve with time. When this movie is viewed not so much for it's content, but what it represents and that is the beginning of society's ability to address any and all issues, particularly moral ones openly and honestly, it really is a sweet movie. I would advise anyone to be sure and read the book either before or after viewing the movie to really get an idea of what the author intended when she wrote the book. I would dearly love to see this movie again and if anyone knows where I can obtain a copy, please let me know.

Not the worst movie I've ever seen.

[map-4 · 8/10 · 20 August 1999]

Remember most of these actors were just getting started. In 1971 the sexual revolution was just getting going. How else to deal with a tragedy in the making? The ending was a little boring. Not the worst movie I've ever seen.

70's TV takes on 50's exploitation topics.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 8 April 2022]

Amusing 70's TV drama set in the 1950's with Desi Arnaz Jr. And Christopher Templeton as very young newlyweds expecting a baby, something that puts a dent in the plans of her parents, Dina Merrill and Dan Dailey, but their insistence that they're going to handle things their own way has them getting their own place even though she's only 16 and he's on the verge of graduating from high school. They say it's the first fifty years of marriage that are the hardest, and when grandmother Jessie Royce Landis gives her own opinion, you better be listening. Typical marital problems insue especially with him turning into a bit of a square when he joins the work force.

The self-centered Merrill may seem like Donna Reed on the outside, but when it comes to really being there for her daughter, she's obviously concerned more about propriety and what other people think that her daughter's happiness. Veteran song and dance man Dailey is wasted, but Landis steals every moment that she's on screen, slowly bonding with her grandson-in-law. Larry Wilcox is a far cry from his "Chips" character as Arnaz's best friend, and Nicholas Hammond is extremely stuffy as the man Merrill tries to set Templeton up with before the news is revealed. Susan Strasberg as Templeton's best friend makes an impact as well. Nothing earth shattering but pleasant.

Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones(1971) Great Movie of the Week!

[llsteveh · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

Loved Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones! If I had seen it sooner I might not have gotten into the same situation as the movie content. It was an informative movie for those days. Might even be a good one for this day and time. The actors did a good job. I wish I could get a copy of the movie, so I could watch it now and then. It brings back good memories. If anyone knows how or where to get a copy of this movie please let me know.

Dated Teen pregnancy flick.

[yenlo · 12 July 1999]

A film that came out in the early 70's attempting to address the teenage pregnancy issue. A high school girl gets pregnant by her boyfriend and the couple much to the disparagement of both of their parents decide to get married and live happily ever after. It doesn't turn out that way. Clearly dated by todays standards. The best line in the film comes when the pregnant teens Grandmother is introduced to Desi Arnaz JR's character BoJo,which is explained in the film as being short for Robert Joseph. "This must be BOZO" she says. The line fits perfectly. Not one of the better 70's made for TV vehicles.

Not terrible....

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 26 January 2017]

I found this made for TV on YouTube and it's a bit surprising for 1971, as the film is rather adult. So, to get around public outcry about teen pregnancy and abortion at that time, the subjects are talked around instead of talked about directly. In other words, it's very hip and modern...as well as old fashioned at the same time.

Bo Jo (Desi Arnaz Jr.) and Julie (the oddly named Christopher Norris) are both in high school and have been dating casually. However, Julie announces to Bo Jo that she's pregnant and the pair run off and get married. Not surprisingly, their parents aren't thrilled and the pair try to make a go of marriage--which is tough since they are both mere children themselves. Can the marriage survive or are they doomed like most such marriages?

So is this any good? Well, yes and no. At times the acting is a bit suspect and the script a bit limp. It does address a lot of interesting issues and is worth watching but I couldn't help but feel it should have been better. Plus, its message at the finale seemed way too fuzzy and sweet--and may have done much to encourage some viewers to follow in the leads' footsteps.

Quitye faithful to the novel and excellent casting!

[mbwisper · 10/10 · 4 September 2021]

I read this book in Jr. High, and went to school with the screen writers' Willam Wood's son. I suspect he's the one who put his father onto writing the script! I don't recall the book taking place in the 1950's, there was no designated period in it, which given the material is as it should have been. I think Mr. Wood CHOSE to have it take place in the '50s 'cause that was the area of a lot of sexual "awakening" in both America and Europe, especially (it was the era of "Peyton Place" and Playboy, you may recall, as well!). This is a nice com[anion piece to the more recent fantasy "Pleasantville" starring Toby Maquire and a REALLY young Reese Witherspoon, the latter being responsible for bringing sexual awakening to a group of '50's teenagers living in this old-time-TV-show town. Lots of fun watching! I did a Google search for "mr and mrs bo jo jones dvd for sale" and got MANY hits, ranging from $9 to $17 from various sources to the exorbitant $95-100 on eBay for the REAL release...on VHS!!! Notice I do not punctuate or capitalize when doing searches 'cause basically it's a waste of time doing the "shift" thing to get the same results. The inexpensive ones are rips from either VHS tapes or DVDs and have to artwork with them, basically a DVD in a sleeve with the title written on it. So if you need "pretty:", be prepared to pay a minor fortune!

TV Movie So Bad, It's Been Remembered For 27 Years!

[snoid · 1/10 · 28 November 1998]

Should be destined to join "My Mother the Car" and "The Guy Who Talked to Kids" as the worst programs to ever be aired on television, anywhere, not including German Television Programming. Homely teenage couple has 15 second sexual encounter, she gets knocked up, he feigns guilt, couple marries, baby croaks, marriage unwinds, everybody's happy, teenage couple is still homely. Stunning performance by Tom Bosley as the whining father, a role he later reprised on "Happy

Days" and "Father Dowling Mysteries". Certainly a qualifier for "The Bottom Ten of all Time!"