The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)
-
81% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(7,361 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… 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
- Directed By
- Robert Stevenson
- Written By
- Bill Walsh
- Genres
- Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
G,
- 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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Fred MacMurray
as Prof. Ned Brainard
-
Nancy Olson
as Betsy Carlisle
-
Keenan Wynn
as Alonzo Hawk
-
Tommy Kirk
as Bill Hawk
-
Leon Ames
as Rufus Daggett
-
Ed Wynn
as Fire Chief
-
Elliott Reid
as Shelby Ashton
-
Edward Andrews
as Defense Secretary
-
David Lewis
as Gen. Singer
-
Jack Mullaney
as Captain
-
Belle Montrose
as Mrs. Chatsworth
-
Wally Brown
as Coach Elkins
-
Alan Carney
as Referee
-
Forrest Lewis
as Officer Kelly
-
James Westerfield
as Officer Hanson
-
Gage Clarke
as Rev. Bosworth
-
Alan Hewitt
as Gen. Hotchkiss
-
Wendell Holmes
as Gen. Poynter
-
Don Ross
as Lenny
-
Charlie Briggs
as Sig
-
Wally Boag
as TV Newsman
- Leon Tyler
