Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones

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!

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.

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.

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!"

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.