Jump to content

Flubber (franchise): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Franchise ref
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Flubber
| name = Flubber
| image = File:Flubber - official franchise logo.jpeg
| image = Flubber - official franchise logo.jpeg
| caption = Official franchise logo, released in 1997
| caption = Official franchise logo, released in 1997
| based_on = ''A Situation of Gravity'' by [[Samuel W. Taylor]]
| based_on = ''A Situation of Gravity'' by [[Samuel W. Taylor]]
Line 24: Line 24:
}}
}}


The '''''Flubber''''' franchise consists of American science-fiction-comedy films, 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 1922. The plot of the films center around an absent-minded college professor (with differing names and played by [[#Principal cast and characters|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 '''''Flubber''''' franchise consists of American science-fiction-comedy films,<ref name="Franchise_D23">{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/where-the-flubber-meets-the-road/|work=D23: The Official Disney Fan Club|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|title=Where the Flubber Meets the Road|author=Fanning, Jim|accessdate=August 24, 2024}}</ref> 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 [[#Principal cast and characters|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 [[#Reception|well-received]]. Years later during the '80s, a made-for-television remake was released as a part of ''[[Walt Disney anthology television series|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.
The two original films, starring [[Fred MacMurray]], were financially and critically [[#Reception|well-received]]. Years later during the '80s, a made-for-television remake was released as a part of ''[[Walt Disney anthology television series|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",<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flubber|title=Flubber (1997)|via=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> while others noted that the studio's attempt at relaunching the franchise resulted in "a cute, well-meaning, but ultimately disappointing movie".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/film-clips-170972|title=Film Clips|author=David Ansen |date=November 30, 1997|website=Newsweek}}</ref> Several critics noted the film's overuse of [[Slapstick film|slapstick comedy]]. In 1999 the ''Flubber'' films, along with a number of other [[#Related films|Disney film series]], were expanded as a franchise into the [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S.|Walt Disney Parks]] [[#Themepark attraction|attraction]] with elements included from each film.
Though each film was a financial success, not all were critical successes. Critics called the remake "a total dud",<ref name="tomatoes-flub97" /> while others noted that the studio's attempt at relaunching the franchise resulted in "a cute, well-meaning, but ultimately disappointing movie".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/film-clips-170972|title=Film Clips|author=David Ansen |date=November 30, 1997|website=Newsweek}}</ref> Several critics noted the film's overuse of [[Slapstick film|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 and Resorts U.S.|Walt Disney Parks]] attraction with elements included from each film.


== Films ==
== Films ==
Line 62: Line 62:
==== ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' (1961) ====
==== ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' (1961) ====
{{main|The Absent-Minded Professor}}
{{main|The Absent-Minded Professor}}
Professor Ned Brainard works endlessly in his lab, looking for the next greatest invention. His fiancé 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1960/film/reviews/the-absent-minded-professor-1200419901/|title=The Absent Minded Professor|work=Variety|date=January 1, 1961}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1960/film/reviews/the-absent-minded-professor-1200419901/|title=The Absent Minded Professor|work=Variety|date=January 1, 1961}}</ref>


==== ''Son of Flubber'' (1963) ====
==== ''Son of Flubber'' (1963) ====
Line 101: Line 101:
==== ''Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places'' (1989) ====
==== ''Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places'' (1989) ====
{{further|The Absent-Minded Professor #Remakes}}
{{further|The Absent-Minded Professor #Remakes}}
Professor Henry Crawford is convinced by an ex-roommate and former college 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/absent-minded-professor-the-trading-places-television/|title=Absent-Minded Professor, The: Trading Places (television)|website=D23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/magical-world-of-disney/episode-708133/464399|title=Magical World of Disney &#124; TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/absent-minded-professor-the-trading-places-television/|title=Absent-Minded Professor, The: Trading Places (television)|website=D23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/magical-world-of-disney/episode-708133/464399|title=Magical World of Disney &#124; TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref>

==Related films==
{{main|The Shaggy Dog (franchise)|Dexter Riley (film series)}}
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 (franchise)|''The Shaggy Dog'']], and the ''[[Dexter Riley (film series)|Dexter Riley]]'' film series, while Alonzo Hawk, the villain of the original ''Flubber'' films, appears in the second [[Herbie (franchise)|Herbie]] film, ''[[Herbie Rides Again]]''. Collectively, the four separate film series take place within the same fictional universe.<ref name="MedfieldCollege_Universe">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&q=medfield+college+appeared+in+various+disney+films&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|first=Dave|last=Smith|date=July 3, 2012|publisher=Disney Electronic Content|isbn=9781423178576|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="MedfieldCollege_TA">{{Cite web|url=https://the-avocado.org/2019/04/23/building-entertainment-the-animated-films-of-the-walt-disney-studio-live-action-edition-the-absent-minded-professor/|title=Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor.|date=April 23, 2019|website=The Avocado}}</ref> Additionally, the ''[[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones|Merlin Jones]]'' film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College,<ref name="MedfieldMidvale_WODP">{{cite web|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-plus-missing-incomplete-franchises-sequels/|work=What's on Disney Plus|title=22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises|author=Shepherd, Josh|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref> while ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]'' is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.<ref name="MMM.Universities_GB">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&dq=merrivale+college+disney&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|author=Smith, Dave|date=June 26, 2012|isbn=9781423178576|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%"
! scope="col" | Film
! scope="col" | U.S. release date
! scope="col" | Director
! scope="col" | Screenwriter(s)
! scope="col" | Story by
! scope="col" | Producer(s)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''The Shaggy Dog'' film series
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|1959|03|19|}}
| [[Charles Barton (director)|Charles Barton]]
| colspan="2"| [[Lillie Hayward]] & Bill Walsh
| Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy D.A.]]''
| {{start date|1976|12|17|}}
| Robert Stevenson
| colspan="2"| Don Tait
| [[Bill Anderson (producer)|Bill Anderson]]
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Return of the Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|1987|11|01|}}
| [[Stuart Gillard]]
| colspan="2"| [[Paul Haggis]] & Diane Wilk
| Harvey Marks
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (2006 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|2006|03|10|}}
| [[Brian Robbins]]
| colspan="2"| [[Cormac and Marianne Wibberley|Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley]] <br />and [[Geoff Rodkey]] <br />and [[Jack Amiel]] & [[Michael Begler]]
| [[David Hoberman]] and [[Tim Allen]]
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Merlin Jones'' film series
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1964|02|11}}
| rowspan="2"| Robert Stevenson
| [[Alfred Lewis Levitt|Tom August & Helen August]]
| Bill Walsh
| rowspan="2"| Walt Disney and [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Monkey's Uncle]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1965|08|18}}
| colspan="2"| Tom August & Helen August
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Dexter Riley'' film series
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1969|12|31}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Butler (director)|Robert Butler]]
| colspan="2"| Joseph L. McEveety
| Bill Anderson
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Now You See Him, Now You Don't]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1972|07|12}}
| Joseph L. McEveety
| Robert L. King
| [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Strongest Man in the World]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1975|02|06}}
| [[Vincent McEveety]]
| colspan="2"| Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves
| Bill Anderson
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Other films
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1973|02|01}}
| [[Robert Scheerer]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dee Caruso]] <br />and [[Gerald Gardner (writer)|Gerald Gardner]]
| Bill Walsh
|-
|}


==Principal cast and characters==
==Principal cast and characters==
Line 294: Line 213:
! The Hacker
! The Hacker
| colspan="4" style="background:lightgrey;"¶|
| colspan="4" style="background:lightgrey;"¶|
| [[Ron Fassler]]
| Ron Fassler
|}
|}


Line 449: Line 368:
|-
|-
! scope="row" | ''Flubber''
! scope="row" | ''Flubber''
| 24% (34 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flubber/|title=Flubber (1997)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref>
| 24% (34 reviews)<ref name="tomatoes-flub97">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flubber/|title=Flubber (1997)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref>
| 37 (19 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/flubber|title=Flubber|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>
| 37 (19 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/flubber|title=Flubber|website=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=April 9, 2020}}</ref>
| {{sort grade|B+}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemascore.com/|title=CinemaScore|website=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=July 8, 2019}}</ref>
| {{sort grade|B+}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinemascore.com/|title=CinemaScore|website=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=July 8, 2019}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Themepark attraction==
==Theme park attraction==
{{main|Journey into Imagination with Figment}}
{{main|Journey into Imagination with Figment}}
In 1999, the theme of ''Journey into Imagination'' was changed and re-titled to include [[Figment (Disney)|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 ''[[The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes|Dexter Riley]]'' films). [[Walt Disney]] and [[Thomas Edison]] also make an appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d23.com/epcot-by-the-numbers/|title=Epcot by the Numbers|date=October 31, 2017|website=D23}}</ref><ref name="disneyworld.eu">{{cite web | website=disneyworld.eu |title = Journey Into Imagination With Figment | url=https://www.disneyworld.eu/attractions/epcot/journey-into-imagination-with-figment/ | language=no | access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref>
In 1999, the theme of ''Journey into Imagination'' was changed and re-titled to include [[Figment (Disney)|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 ''[[The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes|Dexter Riley]]'' films). [[Walt Disney]] and [[Thomas Edison]] also make an appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d23.com/epcot-by-the-numbers/|title=Epcot by the Numbers|date=October 31, 2017|website=D23}}</ref><ref name="disneyworld.eu">{{cite web | website=disneyworld.eu | title = Journey Into Imagination With Figment | url=https://www.disneyworld.eu/attractions/epcot/journey-into-imagination-with-figment/ | language=no | access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref>

==Related films==
{{main|The Shaggy Dog (franchise)|Dexter Riley (film series)}}
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 (franchise)|''The Shaggy Dog'']], and the ''[[Dexter Riley (film series)|Dexter Riley]]'' film series, while Alonzo Hawk, the villain of the original ''Flubber'' films, appears in the second [[Herbie (franchise)|Herbie]] film, ''[[Herbie Rides Again]]''. Collectively, the four separate film series take place within the same fictional universe.<ref name="MedfieldCollege_Universe">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&q=medfield+college+appeared+in+various+disney+films&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|first=Dave|last=Smith|date=July 3, 2012|publisher=Disney Electronic Content|isbn=9781423178576|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name="MedfieldCollege_TA">{{Cite web|url=https://the-avocado.org/2019/04/23/building-entertainment-the-animated-films-of-the-walt-disney-studio-live-action-edition-the-absent-minded-professor/|title=Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor.|date=April 23, 2019|website=The Avocado}}</ref> Additionally, the ''[[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones|Merlin Jones]]'' film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College,<ref name="MedfieldMidvale_WODP">{{cite web|url=https://whatsondisneyplus.com/disney-plus-missing-incomplete-franchises-sequels/|work=What's on Disney Plus|title=22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises|author=Shepherd, Josh|date=January 15, 2021|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref> while ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]'' is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.<ref name="MMM.Universities_GB">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nEGaj75GhXcC&dq=merrivale+college+disney&pg=PT145|title=Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered|author=Smith, Dave|date=June 26, 2012|isbn=9781423178576|accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%"
! scope="col" | Film
! scope="col" | U.S. release date
! scope="col" | Director
! scope="col" | Screenwriter(s)
! scope="col" | Story by
! scope="col" | Producer(s)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''The Shaggy Dog'' film series
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|1959|03|19|}}
| [[Charles Barton (director)|Charles Barton]]
| colspan="2"| [[Lillie Hayward]] & Bill Walsh
| Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy D.A.]]''
| {{start date|1976|12|17|}}
| Robert Stevenson
| colspan="2"| Don Tait
| [[Bill Anderson (producer)|Bill Anderson]]
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Return of the Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|1987|11|01|}}
| [[Stuart Gillard]]
| colspan="2"| [[Paul Haggis]] & Diane Wilk
| Harvey Marks
|-
! scope="row"| ''[[The Shaggy Dog (2006 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]''
| {{start date|2006|03|10|}}
| [[Brian Robbins]]
| colspan="2"| [[Cormac and Marianne Wibberley|Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley]] <br />and [[Geoff Rodkey]] <br />and [[Jack Amiel]] & [[Michael Begler]]
| [[David Hoberman]] and [[Tim Allen]]
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Merlin Jones'' film series
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Missadventures of Merlin Jones]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1964|02|11}}
| rowspan="2"| Robert Stevenson
| [[Alfred Lewis Levitt|Tom August & Helen August]]
| Bill Walsh
| rowspan="2"| Walt Disney and [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Monkey's Uncle]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1965|08|18}}
| colspan="2"| Tom August & Helen August
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | ''Dexter Riley'' film series
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1969|12|31}}
| rowspan="2"| [[Robert Butler (director)|Robert Butler]]
| colspan="2"| Joseph L. McEveety
| Bill Anderson
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Now You See Him, Now You Don't]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1972|07|12}}
| Joseph L. McEveety
| Robert L. King
| [[Ron W. Miller|Ron Miller]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The Strongest Man in the World]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1975|02|06}}
| [[Vincent McEveety]]
| colspan="2"| Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves
| Bill Anderson
|-
! colspan="6" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Other films
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[The World's Greatest Athlete]]''
| style="text-align:center" | {{Start date|1973|02|01}}
| [[Robert Scheerer]]
| colspan="2"| [[Dee Caruso]] <br />and [[Gerald Gardner (writer)|Gerald Gardner]]
| Bill Walsh
|-
|}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 13:49, 24 August 2024

Flubber
Official franchise logo, released in 1997
Based onA Situation of Gravity by Samuel W. Taylor
Starring
Production
company
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date
1961–1997
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$84,000,000
(total of 3 films)
Box office$225,488,045
(total of 3 films)[a]

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.

Films

[edit]

Theatrical

[edit]
Film U.S.
release date 		Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
The Absent-Minded Professor March 16, 1961 (1961-03-16) Robert Stevenson Bill Walsh Samuel W. Taylor Bill Walsh
Son of Flubber January 16, 1963 (1963-01-16) Don DaGradi & Bill Walsh Walt Disney, and Bill Walsh
Flubber November 26, 1997 (1997-11-26) Les Mayfield John Hughes & Bill Walsh John Hughes, and Ricardo Mestres

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

[edit]
Main article: The Absent-Minded Professor

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]

Son of Flubber (1963)

[edit]
Main article: Son of Flubber

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]

Flubber (1997)

[edit]
Main article: Flubber (film)

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]

Television

[edit]
Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s)
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor November 27, 1988 (1988-11-27) Robert Scheerer Richard Chapman & Bill Dial Ric Rondell
Disney's The Absent Minded Professor:
Trading Places 		February 26, 1989 (1989-02-26) Robert Scheerer & Bob Sweeney Richard Chapman & Bill Dial

Disney's The Absent Minded Professor (1988)

[edit]
Further information: The Absent-Minded Professor § Remakes

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]

Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places (1989)

[edit]
Further information: The Absent-Minded Professor § Remakes

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]

Principal cast and characters

[edit]
List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
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 GershinV 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 BensonV
Leslie Stefanson
(as Sylvia)
Weebette Julie MorrisonV
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

Additional crew and production details

[edit]
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

Reception

[edit]
For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office and financial performance

[edit]
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[b] ~x̄ #3,358[c] $84,000,000

Critical and public response

[edit]
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]

Theme park attraction

[edit]
Main article: Journey into Imagination with Figment

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]

[edit]
Main articles: The Shaggy Dog (franchise) and Dexter Riley (film series)

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 (1959-03-19) Charles Barton Lillie Hayward & Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Bill Walsh
The Shaggy D.A. December 17, 1976 (1976-12-17) Robert Stevenson Don Tait Bill Anderson
The Return of the Shaggy Dog November 1, 1987 (1987-11-01) Stuart Gillard Paul Haggis & Diane Wilk Harvey Marks
The Shaggy Dog March 10, 2006 (2006-03-10) 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 (1964-02-11) Robert Stevenson Tom August & Helen August Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Ron Miller
The Monkey's Uncle August 18, 1965 (1965-08-18) Tom August & Helen August
Dexter Riley film series
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes December 31, 1969 (1969-12-31) Robert Butler Joseph L. McEveety Bill Anderson
Now You See Him, Now You Don't July 12, 1972 (1972-07-12) Joseph L. McEveety Robert L. King Ron Miller
The Strongest Man in the World February 6, 1975 (1975-02-06) Vincent McEveety Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves Bill Anderson
Other films
The World's Greatest Athlete February 1, 1973 (1973-02-01) Robert Scheerer Dee Caruso
and Gerald Gardner 		Bill Walsh

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ These figures are based on the available numbers for the theatrical films. Though there are a total five movies, there is no financial information publicly available for the made-for-television films.
  2. ^ This is an approximate average, based on the all-time standing of each theatrically released film.
  3. ^ This is an approximate average, based on the all-time standing of each theatrically released film.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Fanning, Jim. "Where the Flubber Meets the Road". D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Flubber (1997)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  3. ^ David Ansen (November 30, 1997). "Film Clips". Newsweek.
  4. ^ "The Absent Minded Professor". Variety. January 1, 1961.
  5. ^ Bosley Crowther (February 9, 1963). "Walt Disney's 'Flubber' Still Funny in Sequel: The Screen: Reinflation". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Leydon, Joe (November 21, 1997). "Flubber".
  7. ^ "13 fascinating facts about 'The Wonderful World of Disney'". Me-TV Network.
  8. ^ Taylor, Drew. "10 Disney Remakes You Have Completely Forgotten About". www.moviefone.com.
  9. ^ "Absent-Minded Professor, The: Trading Places (television)". D23.
  10. ^ "Magical World of Disney | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
  11. ^ "The Absent Minded Professor (1961) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  12. ^ "The Absent Minded Professor" – via www.imdb.com.
  13. ^ "Movie Comparison: Son of Flubber (1963) vs. The Absent Minded Professor (1961)". The Numbers.
  14. ^ "Son of Flubber (1963) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  15. ^ "Son of Flubber" – via www.imdb.com.
  16. ^ "Flubber (1997) – Financial Information". The Numbers.
  17. ^ "Flubber". Box Office Mojo.
  18. ^ "The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  19. ^ "The Absent Minded Professor". Metacritic. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "Son of Flubber (1963)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  21. ^ "Flubber". Metacritic. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  22. ^ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Epcot by the Numbers". D23. October 31, 2017.
  24. ^ "Journey Into Imagination With Figment". disneyworld.eu (in Norwegian). Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  25. ^ Smith, Dave (July 3, 2012). Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered. Disney Electronic Content. ISBN 9781423178576 – via Google Books.
  26. ^ "Building Entertainment: The Animated Films of the Walt Disney Studio. Live-Action Edition. The Absent-Minded Professor". The Avocado. April 23, 2019.
  27. ^ Shepherd, Josh (January 15, 2021). "22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises". What's on Disney Plus. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  28. ^ Smith, Dave (June 26, 2012). Disney Trivia from the Vault: Secrets Revealed and Questions Answered. ISBN 9781423178576. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Flubber_(franchise)&oldid=1242016170"