Flubber | |
---|---|
Based on | A Situation of Gravity by Samuel W. Taylor |
Starring |
|
Production company | |
Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |
Release date | 1961–1997 |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $84,000,000 (total of 3 films) |
Box office | $225,488,045 (total of 3 films) [lower-alpha 1] |
The Flubber franchise consists of American science-fiction-comedy films, [1] with three theatrical releases, and two made-for-television films. The overall story is based on the short story, A Situation of Gravity, written by Samuel W. Taylor in 1943. The plot of the films center around an absent-minded college professor (with differing names and played by various actors depending on the adaptation), who works tirelessly to find the next great invention. The Professor wants to make scientific history, while working to save the school at which he works, the Medfield College.
The two original films, starring Fred MacMurray, were financially and critically well-received. Years later during the '80s, a made-for-television remake was released as a part of The Magical World of Disney series, with a sequel that followed soon thereafter. By 1997, a theatrical remake, with the story adjusted for then-modern time, was developed with Robin Williams in the starring role.
Though each film was a financial success, not all were critical successes. Critics called the remake "a total dud", [2] while others noted that the studio's attempt at relaunching the franchise resulted in "a cute, well-meaning, but ultimately disappointing movie". [3] Several critics noted the film's overuse of slapstick comedy. In 1999 the Flubber films, along with a number of other Disney film series, were expanded as a franchise into the Walt Disney Parks attraction with elements included from each film.
Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Absent-Minded Professor | March 16, 1961 | Robert Stevenson | Bill Walsh | Samuel W. Taylor | Bill Walsh |
Son of Flubber | January 16, 1963 | Don DaGradi & Bill Walsh | Walt Disney, and Bill Walsh | ||
Flubber | November 26, 1997 | Les Mayfield | John Hughes & Bill Walsh | John Hughes, and Ricardo Mestres |
Professor Ned Brainard works endlessly in his lab, looking for the next greatest invention. His fiancée Betsy grows tired of being put second behind his experiments. Brainard forgets about their own wedding for the third time. However, he finds a scientific anomaly when he invents a revolutionary flying rubber, which he names Flubber. This substance proves to have various abilities. While he works to reconnect with Betsy, criminals led by Alonzo Hawk seek to steal his formula. [4]
Professor Ned Brainard, who experienced a series of misfortunes up until his invention of the super-elastic substance called Flubber, works to find the next scientific discovery. He hopes to have a better experience with a gravity-defying derivative he names, Flubbergas. When the government steps in to obstruct his work, his wife Betsy expresses her concern and displeasure with his experiments stating that they need a divorce. After a some alterations to his substance Brainard works to find the solution of his new invention, win back the confidence of his wife, resolve the government's concerns, and defeat the familiar nefarious acts of Alonzo Hawk. [5]
A loose remake of The Absent-Minded Professor, the plot follows a similar outline.
Professor Philip Brainard experiments to find new sources of energy, believing that the project can strengthen the finances of Medfield College. His girlfriend SaraJean works as President of the college and tries to support his tireless work in his laboratory. When his work uncovers a lively, super-stretchy, rubber-like substance that he names Flubber, the professor is so excited he absent-mindedly forgets his own wedding. SaraJean dumps him for his apparent lack of prioritization, so Brainard sets to work in winning her back. In the meantime, he discovers that Flubber has a mind of its own, and has a mischievous nature. All the while, some villainous people seek to steal the newly discovered substance for their own gain. [6]
Film | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor | November 27, 1988 | Robert Scheerer | Richard Chapman & Bill Dial | Ric Rondell |
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor: Trading Places | February 26, 1989 | Robert Scheerer & Bob Sweeney | Richard Chapman & Bill Dial |
Professor Henry Crawford, an absent-minded instructor at a college busily works in laboratory on various experiments. His girlfriend Ellie, grows frustrated when he repeatedly misses their dates and spends more time in his science lab than with her. One day Crawford makes an unprecedented discovery, in the form of rubber that defies gravity. The professor names the substance Flubber and hopes that he can prove he is a notable scientist, while also showing his love to his girlfriend. [7] [8]
Professor Henry Crawford is convinced by an ex-roommate and former colleague named Jack Brooker to switch professions. For the trade, Henry will go to work at the elusive Rhinebloom Labs and Jack will teach Henry's students. What Henry doesn't know is that Jack suspects that the lab may be involved in some illegal activity. When Henry tries investigate the situation through a computer, a virus named Albert is inadvertently released. The colleges discover that the program is a weapons system. Together, and with the help of Flubber, they work to stop the destructive software. [9] [10]
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.
Character | Films | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theatrical | Television | ||||
The Absent-Minded Professor | Son of Flubber | Flubber | Disney's The Absent Minded Professor | Disney's The Absent Minded Professor: Trading Places | |
Flubber | Appeared | Scott Martin Gershin V | Appeared | ||
Professor Ned Brainard | Fred MacMurray | ||||
Professor Phillip Brainard | Robin Williams | ||||
Professor Henry Crawford | Harry Anderson | ||||
Elizabeth "Betsy" Carlisle-Brainard | Nancy Olson | ||||
Professor Shelby Ashton | Elliott Reid | ||||
Alonzo Hawk | Keenan Wynn | ||||
A.J. Allen | Ed Wynn | ||||
Defense Secretary | Edward Andrews | ||||
Jeffrey Daggett | Leon Ames | ||||
Sara Jean Reynolds-Brainard | Marcia Gay Harden | ||||
Weebo | Jodi Benson V | ||||
Leslie Stefanson (as Sylvia) | |||||
Weebette | Julie Morrison V | ||||
Professor Wilson Croft | Christopher McDonald | ||||
Chester Hoenicker | Raymond J. Barry | ||||
Bennett Hoenicker | Wil Wheaton | ||||
Smith | Clancy Brown | ||||
Wesson | Ted Levine | ||||
Ellen Whitley-Crawford | Mary Page Keller | ||||
Dr. Jack Broker | Ed Begley, Jr. | ||||
The Hacker | Ron Fassler |
Film | Crew/Detail | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composer | Cinematographer | Editor(s) | Production companies | Distributing companies | Running time | ||
The Absent-Minded Professor | George Bruns | Edward Colman | Cotton Warburton | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Distribution Company | 1hr 32mins | |
Son of Flubber | 1hr 40mins | ||||||
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor | Tom Scott | Isidore Mankofsky | Tom Stevens & Jerry Temple | Walt Disney Television, Echo Cove Productions | Buena Vista Pictures, Buena Vista Television | 2hrs | |
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor: Trading Places | John Massari | information unavailable | information unavailable | The Walt Disney Company | 1hr | ||
Flubber | Danny Elfman | Dean Cundey | Harvey Rosenstock & Michael A. Stevenson | Walt Disney Pictures, Great Oaks Entertainment | Buena Vista Pictures | 1hr 33mins |
Film | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Budget | Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North America | Other territories | Worldwide | All time North America | All time worldwide | |||
The Absent-Minded Professor | not available | not available | $25,381,407 | #3,123 | #4,309 | $2,000,000 | [11] [12] |
Son of Flubber | not available | not available | $22,129,412 | #3,400 | #4,654 | $2,000,000 | [13] [14] [15] |
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor | — | — | — | — | — | not available | — |
Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places | — | — | — | — | — | not available | — |
Flubber | $92,977,226 | $85,000,000 | $177,977,226 | No. 814 | #1,111 | $80,000,000 | [16] [17] |
Totals | ≙$92,977,226 | ≙$85,000,000 | 225,488,045 | ~x̄ #2,447 [lower-alpha 2] | ~x̄ #3,358 [lower-alpha 3] | $84,000,000 |
Film | Critical | Public | |
---|---|---|---|
Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | |
The Absent-Minded Professor | 82% (22 reviews) [18] | 75 (5 reviews) [19] | — |
Son of Flubber | 86% (7 reviews) [20] | — | — |
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor | — | — | — |
Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places | — | — | — |
Flubber | 24% (34 reviews) [2] | 37 (19 reviews) [21] | B+ [22] |
In 1999, the theme of Journey into Imagination was changed and re-titled to include Figment. The ride features Dr. Nigel Channing, from Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, who "hosts" an area known as the Imagination Institute. The story states that Channing's grandfather established the institute, while the area features references to Dr. Philip Brainard from Flubber, as well as Wayne Szalinski from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids franchise and Dean Higgins (Joe Flynn's role in the Dexter Riley films). Walt Disney and Thomas Edison also make an appearance. [23] [24]
The Medfield College appears in the Flubber franchise as a primary location of plot events. The fictional college appears in two other Disney film franchises, including The Shaggy Dog, and the Dexter Riley film series, while Alonzo Hawk, the villain of the original Flubber films, appears in the second Herbie film, Herbie Rides Again . Collectively, the four separate film series take place within the same fictional universe. [25] [26] Additionally, the Merlin Jones film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College, [27] while The World's Greatest Athlete is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College. [28]
Film | U.S. release date | Director | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Shaggy Dog film series | |||||
The Shaggy Dog | March 19, 1959 | Charles Barton | Lillie Hayward & Bill Walsh | Walt Disney and Bill Walsh | |
The Shaggy D.A. | December 17, 1976 | Robert Stevenson | Don Tait | Bill Anderson | |
The Return of the Shaggy Dog | November 1, 1987 | Stuart Gillard | Paul Haggis & Diane Wilk | Harvey Marks | |
The Shaggy Dog | March 10, 2006 | Brian Robbins | Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley and Geoff Rodkey and Jack Amiel & Michael Begler | David Hoberman and Tim Allen | |
Merlin Jones film series | |||||
The Missadventures of Merlin Jones | February 11, 1964 | Robert Stevenson | Tom August & Helen August | Bill Walsh | Walt Disney and Ron Miller |
The Monkey's Uncle | August 18, 1965 | Tom August & Helen August | |||
Dexter Riley film series | |||||
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes | December 31, 1969 | Robert Butler | Joseph L. McEveety | Bill Anderson | |
Now You See Him, Now You Don't | July 12, 1972 | Joseph L. McEveety | Robert L. King | Ron Miller | |
The Strongest Man in the World | February 6, 1975 | Vincent McEveety | Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves | Bill Anderson | |
Other films | |||||
The World's Greatest Athlete | February 1, 1973 | Robert Scheerer | Dee Caruso and Gerald Gardner | Bill Walsh | |
William Crozier Walsh was a film producer, screenwriter and comics writer who primarily worked on live-action films for Walt Disney Productions. He was born in New York City. For his work on Mary Poppins, he shared Academy Award nominations for Best Picture with Walt Disney, and for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium with Don DaGradi. He also wrote the Mickey Mouse comic strip for more than two decades.
Flubber is a 1997 American science-fiction comedy film directed by Les Mayfield and written by Hughes and Bill Walsh. A remake of The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), the film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and stars Robin Williams, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, Ted Levine, Raymond J. Barry, Wil Wheaton and Clancy Brown, with Jodi Benson providing a voice. The film grossed $178 million worldwide and received negative reviews from critics. In selected theaters, the Pepper Ann episode "Old Best Friend" was featured before the film.
The Absent-Minded Professor is a 1961 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. It is based on the 1943 short story "A Situation of Gravity" by Samuel W. Taylor. The title character was based in part on Hubert Alyea, a professor emeritus of chemistry at Princeton University, who was known as "Dr. Boom" for his explosive demonstrations. The film stars Fred MacMurray as Professor Ned Brainard, alongside Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk, Leon Ames, Elliott Reid, and Edward Andrews. The plot follows Brainard as he invents a substance that defies gravity, which he later exploits through various means.
Nancy Ann Olson is an American retired actress. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sunset Boulevard (1950). She co-starred with William Holden in four films, and later appeared in The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) and its sequel, Son of Flubber (1963), as well as the disaster film Airport 1975 (1974). Olson retired from acting in the mid-1980s, although she has made a few rare returns, most recently in 2014.
Journey into Imagination with Figment is the third and latest incarnation of a dark ride attraction located within the Imagination! pavilion at World Celebration at Epcot, a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. Originally opened on March 3, 1983, its original and current version feature the small purple dragon named Figment as well as the song "One Little Spark", composed by the Sherman Brothers.
Alan Carney was an American actor and comedian.
The Shaggy D.A. is a 1976 American comedy film and a sequel to The Shaggy Dog (1959) produced by Walt Disney Productions. It was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Don Tait. As with the first film in the series, it takes some inspiration from the Felix Salten novel, The Hound of Florence.
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a 1969 American science fiction comedy film starring Kurt Russell, Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn and William Schallert. It was produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company.
Medfield may refer to:
Son of Flubber is a 1963 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. It is the sequel to The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) and the first sequel to a Disney film. Fred MacMurray reprises his role from the previous film as Ned Brainard, a scientist who has perfected a high-bouncing substance, Flubber, that can levitate an automobile and cause athletes to bounce into the sky. In addition to MacMurray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Ed Wynn, Elliott Reid, and Tommy Kirk also co-star, reprising their roles from the previous film.
Flubber may refer to:
Now You See Him, Now You Don't is a 1972 American science fiction comedy film starring Kurt Russell as a chemistry student who accidentally discovers the secret to invisibility. It is the second film in Dexter Riley series.
The Strongest Man in the World is a 1975 American science fiction comedy film directed by Vincent McEveety, produced by Walt Disney Productions, and starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn and Eve Arden. It was the third and final film in Dexter Riley series.
Edgeworth Blair "Elliott" Reid was an American actor.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is an American media franchise consisting of a series of family-science fiction-comedy films and a television adaptation, among other works, based on a concept created by Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna, and an original story co-written by Gordon, Yuzna, and Ed Naha. Following the release of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), and its subsequent financial and critical success, two sequels and a television series followed; titled Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992), Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997), and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, respectively. Another sequel titled Shrunk entered development in 2019.
Robert A. Mattey was an American special effects artist who was nominated at the 34th Academy Awards for the film The Absent-Minded Professor. His nomination was shared with Eustace Lycett. He joined Walt Disney Imagineering when Disneyland was first being created as head of the Mechanical Effects Department.
The Herbie franchise consists of American sports adventure comedy theatrical feature films, one television film, a television series, and other multimedia releases. The overall story centers around the titular Herbie, a sentient anthropomorphic 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own and capable of driving himself. The vehicle is oftentimes a legitimate contender, though the underdog contestant in competitive races, but to a greater degree assists his human owners in bettering their lives.
The Shaggy Dog franchise consists of American science fiction-fantasy-comedy films, with three theatrical releases, and two made-for-television films. The overall story is based on the 1923 novel titled The Hound of Florence by Felix Salten. The overarching story of each installment, follows Wilbur "Wilby" Daniels who is cursed and transforms into a large Old English Sheepdog after attaining an ancient Borgian ring and reciting its inscription.
The Dexter Riley film series consists of American science fiction-comedy films, centered around an eponymous college student. The films, produced by The Walt Disney Company and taking place at the fictional Medfield College, follow the science class led by Professor Quigley, and their experiments, projects, and adventures. The college, under the direction of Dean Eugene Higgins becomes involved in the nefarious plans of millionaire-turned-criminal, A. J. Arno.