Johnny Lingo

1969 "Johnny Lingo bargains his dowry for a bride, paying an exorbitant dowry and causing a sensation on the island. Being an expert trader, he knows the value of things—especially self-esteem."
7.2| 0h25m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 01 January 1969 Released
Producted By: Brigham Young University
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Synopsis

Johnny Lingo, one of the sharpest traders in the south pacific islands decides to bargain for a wife, and offers a record price of eight cows for Mahana, a plain girl who shuns contact. This causes quite a sensation on the island. A year later Johnny and his wife return for the first time since the marriage, and all find that something miraculous has occurred to Mahana. Johnny explains that by paying eight cows he proved that she was worth more to him than any other woman on the island. He gave her a great gift, that of self-worth.

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Reviews

Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
GamerTab That was an excellent one.
Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Quiet Muffin This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "Johnny Lingo" is a 25-minute live action short film from 1969, so only two more years until this has its 50th anniversary, maybe less depending on when you read this review. The film is in color and its director is Judge Whitaker. The one who adapted the original story by Patricia McGerr is Claire Whitaker and I'd be surprised if she isn't related somehow to Judge. He is mostly known for his work as an animator on several Disney classics and from his works as a director this one here may actually be his most known film, even if it is far from famous. I thinks as it is set on an island in the ocean, it is also visually fine, but if we are honest here about the story, that one also would have fit in half the running time. Contents-wise and character-wise, it reminded me a bit of a cartoon, maybe the effect of Whiaker's other works. I believe it also would have worked as a Disney animated short film for example. It's a close call, but thanks to the honorable statement on love and respect that I also mentioned in the title already, I will be generous and give the film a thumbs-up overall. There is no real greatness in here, but it is solidly romantic and touching and most of the production values are decent too. Go check it out. Final note: I won't go into detail about the Mormon references as I really know nothing about these people.
god1-1 Are you guys kidding? This is one of the worst films ever! The acting is atrocious, and there is almost nothing morally redeemable about the film at all. Racist, sexist, imperialistic--c'mon, get a life! The little 'slave' boy, grinning lackey slacker? Who just won't work reliably for the white trader? The idea that women's worth is to be measured on the basis of her looks (though admitting we can sometimes be wrong about it)???? That men set the value of all things, including women? This is truly as bad as it gets. Too bad Mormon children --especially the girls-- have to grow up with this crap.
dafalias Of course the story of Johnny Lingo is one of the classics for Mormon children; the message it conveys is true and probably much more important today than it was at the time it was made. What makes it really watchable though, are the performances. Not their quality, but on the contrary, the lack thereof. The acting is so stiff and inept that You will laugh tears. I don't think, that Johnny Lingo was intented as funny as it comes out, but it is always worth watching. Beside trying to convey the message, that beauty is relative, inner beauty is that counts and that every one needs someone to believe in him to reach his full potential, there is no reference to the Mormon church or Mormon beliefs at all.
T.S. Hunter This movie was made and distributed by the Mormon Church. But, unlike most films that fall into the above category, this movie is not about religion, missionary work, joining any church, etc. and so forth. This short film could have quite possibly been made by anyone. That is what makes it so good. It is a story about a trader coming to one of the small islands of the world to get himself a wife. The island is so small, there is only room enough for one village. There are none of the modern conveniences of the rest of the world, and everything is either built by the villagers or acquired by traders who visit the island by boat and trade for their handmade goods. In this village, it is custom to bargain and pay the father of the bride in dairy cows. This may sound like a serious film, but it really is rather quite funny and has some real classic lines to it that I'm sure will endear you to the film. The story is simple yet original and the flow and pacing for the film is perfect. If you can pick it up, it would be worth the effort.