Johnny Lingo (1969 film)
Encyclopedia
Johnny Lingo is a short film produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was based on a story by Patricia McGerr
in Woman's Day
. At about half hour in length, it does not mention the LDS Church, but illuminates many of its teachings, such as kindness toward others and self-worth, and takes digs at measuring oneself against material things. The greatest lesson, however, is the true value of love.
) is a shrewd Polynesian
trader. It is actually told from the perspective of a Caucasian shopkeeper (played by Francis Urry). Lingo has come to one island to bargain for a wife. Mahana (played by Naomi Kahoilua), the young woman he desires, is considered by her neighbors and even her father to be of little value, sullen, ugly and undesirable. As the bargaining is about to begin, women of the island brag to each other of how many cows their husbands had given for each of them, and comment that Mahana's father will be lucky to see one cow as Lingo's offer. The counselor advises Mahana's father to ask for three cows so that finally, Moki (Mahana's father, played by Joseph Ah Quin
) will at least get one cow.
The bargaining begins and as the counselor suggested Moke asked Johnny Lingo three cows. Islanders laugh derisively, then wait for Lingo to make his counter-offer, certain that he will make a devastating bargain.
Lingo, considering, says that three cows are many . . ."But not enough for my Mahana!" He then offers the unheard-of price of eight cows for her hand in marriage. The next day, the villagers gather at the house of Mahana's father to see the completion of the deal. Some of the islanders say that Lingo reconsidered his deal and would not show up. But Lingo brings the cows. He and Mahana then leave the island on a trading trip.
When they come back, the island storekeeper, Harris (played by Francis Urry
), discovers, to his astonishment, that Mahana is a beautiful, happy woman. Even Mahana's father began accusing Johnny Lingo of cheating him by giving only eight cows for a girl truly worth ten cows. Johnny, her proud husband, had proved to her that her true worth had nothing to do with what others saw, but only what she truly was.
He had made the best bargain of all -- a few cows for a life with the woman that he loved.
In the summer of 2001, the Salt Lake Acting Company staged a live parody performance of Johnny Lingo as that year's episode of their annual theatrical spoof series Saturday's Voyeur
. The act was titled Mahana You Ugly.
The "Legend of Johnny Lingo" and his "Eight Cow Wife" was the inspiration for the custom formal-wear company Eight Cow Wife.
Patricia McGerr
Patricia McGerr was an American crime writer, primarily known for her puzzle mystery novels. She won an Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine/MWA prize for her 1968 story Match Point in Berlin and was awarded the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere in 1952 for her 1951 novel Follow, As the Night. Her...
in Woman's Day
Woman's Day
Woman's Day is aimed at a female readership, covering such subjects as food, nutrition, fitness, beauty and fashion. The magazine edition is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines....
. At about half hour in length, it does not mention the LDS Church, but illuminates many of its teachings, such as kindness toward others and self-worth, and takes digs at measuring oneself against material things. The greatest lesson, however, is the true value of love.
Plot
In the story, Johnny Lingo (played by Makee K. BlaisdellMaKee K. Blaisdell
MaKee K. Blaisdell was an American actor. One of his major roles was playing the title character in the short-film Johnny Lingo.-Career:...
) is a shrewd Polynesian
Polynesians
The Polynesian peoples is a grouping of various ethnic groups that speak Polynesian languages, a branch of the Oceanic languages within the Austronesian languages, and inhabit Polynesia. They number approximately 1,500,000 people...
trader. It is actually told from the perspective of a Caucasian shopkeeper (played by Francis Urry). Lingo has come to one island to bargain for a wife. Mahana (played by Naomi Kahoilua), the young woman he desires, is considered by her neighbors and even her father to be of little value, sullen, ugly and undesirable. As the bargaining is about to begin, women of the island brag to each other of how many cows their husbands had given for each of them, and comment that Mahana's father will be lucky to see one cow as Lingo's offer. The counselor advises Mahana's father to ask for three cows so that finally, Moki (Mahana's father, played by Joseph Ah Quin
Joseph Ah Quin
Joseph W. "Joe" Ah Quin is a Native Hawaiian Latter-day Saint singer and actor. He is possibly known to the most people for having played the role of Moki in Johnny Lingo, although since he has performed with the New York Metropolitan Opera, he is also well known for his singing...
) will at least get one cow.
The bargaining begins and as the counselor suggested Moke asked Johnny Lingo three cows. Islanders laugh derisively, then wait for Lingo to make his counter-offer, certain that he will make a devastating bargain.
Lingo, considering, says that three cows are many . . ."But not enough for my Mahana!" He then offers the unheard-of price of eight cows for her hand in marriage. The next day, the villagers gather at the house of Mahana's father to see the completion of the deal. Some of the islanders say that Lingo reconsidered his deal and would not show up. But Lingo brings the cows. He and Mahana then leave the island on a trading trip.
When they come back, the island storekeeper, Harris (played by Francis Urry
Francis L. Urry
Francis L. Urry was a Utah-based actor. He is best known for his work in the films Johnny Lingo, Uncle Ben, and The Windows of Heaven. He can also still be heard as the male narrator of the Mormon Miracle Pageant....
), discovers, to his astonishment, that Mahana is a beautiful, happy woman. Even Mahana's father began accusing Johnny Lingo of cheating him by giving only eight cows for a girl truly worth ten cows. Johnny, her proud husband, had proved to her that her true worth had nothing to do with what others saw, but only what she truly was.
He had made the best bargain of all -- a few cows for a life with the woman that he loved.
Influence
The classic film is licensed by Covenant Communications, and is sold on DVD by BYU's Creative Works OfficeIn the summer of 2001, the Salt Lake Acting Company staged a live parody performance of Johnny Lingo as that year's episode of their annual theatrical spoof series Saturday's Voyeur
Saturday's Voyeur
Saturday's Voyeur is a live theatrical production played in Salt Lake City, run annually since 1978 by the Salt Lake Acting Company, created by Nancy Borgenicht and Allen Nevins. Saturday's Voyeur is a parody of Utah life, Utah politics, and Utah religion...
. The act was titled Mahana You Ugly.
The "Legend of Johnny Lingo" and his "Eight Cow Wife" was the inspiration for the custom formal-wear company Eight Cow Wife.