The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

81% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(7,245 ratings)

One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live-action, this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber, dubbed "Flubber," and manages to make his old Model-T bounce all the way… More One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live-action, this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber, dubbed "Flubber," and manages to make his old Model-T bounce all the way to Washington, DC, where it is mistaken for a UFO, as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber-powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role, ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk, Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames, although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride-to-be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all, however, this is one of the best children's films of the '60s, and is highly recommended. A sequel, Son of Flubber, followed, with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Robert Stevenson
Written By: Bill Walsh
Genres: Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 16, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Jan 14, 2003
Studio: Buena Vista Distribution Company

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Flubber provides fuel for a very funny piece of hyperbolic humor in the grand American tradition of Paul Bunyan, and Director Robert Stevenson and Scriptwriter Bill Walsh get plenty of bounce out of every ounce.
, Variety
MacMurray is ideally cast as the car-hopping prof, and plays the role with warmth and gusto.
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media
Family entertainment at its best.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is a zanily inventive piece of work, with delightful special effects, which set the style for a long series of live-action Disney films.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Disney produces a goofy lightweight Mack Sennett-like family comedy fantasy film that's joyfully directed by Robert Stevenson.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Disney family film, inexplicably made in black-and-white, was nominated for three Oscars (cinematography, art direction, and visual effects), but won none, though it was popular at the box-office.
James Plath, Reel.com
One of Disney's milestone live-action films.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Tepid live action Disney.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Goofy comedy classic.
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com
Classic Disney, classic MacMurry.
Moira Sullivan, FilmFestivals.com
Fun!
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyable Disney effects comedy with good cast.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Disney life-action for the simple-minded.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I liked this movie a lot compared to the remake with Robin Williams. This movie is cool, funny, and exciting. I really liked it and I recommend it over the new one.
Leigh R

Pretty darn good movie.