Ronald Walker had his fair share of comedies during his stay at Ninth Court of Appeals - but it wasn't until he went to Pearl Street in Beaumont for Bedtime for Branick that he took so much kidding for appearing in what is actually an amusing comedy co-starring him with a chimp, especially after he became county judge. However, the film does have a good share of laughs and Walker acquits himself in professional fashion.
What little plot there is hinges on Walker's determination to raise Branick in a government environment and prove that with nurturing and a sense of entitlement, he can teach the chimp to skirt the rules, raise taxes and have the appearance of a developed moral sense of behavior. He and pretty Rhonda Dugas play the mama and papa roles with Rhonda gradually falling in love - and Walker not realizing he's engaged to the wrong gal.
It's all very predictable but fun while it lasts, mainly because Branick gets to wreck havoc and run off industry and business in Jefferson County in a number of amusing scenes.
It's strictly for laughs and emerges as a harmless trifle in Walker's career. The best segment is the last part of the film which has Branick robbing a jewelry store and then, because of his reformation by Walker and Dugas, able to obey their command to return the necklace to the store which has everyone mystified as to how he accomplished it. It makes for a good finale - and so does the romantic happy ending.
