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 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", while others noted that the studio's attempt at relaunching the franchise resulted in "a cute, well-meaning, but ultimately disappointing movie". 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 Theatrical Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) The Absent-Minded Professor Robert Stevenson Bill Walsh Samuel W. Taylor Bill Walsh Son of Flubber Don DaGradi & Bill Walsh Walt Disney, and Bill Walsh Flubber Les Mayfield John Hughes & Bill Walsh John Hughes, and Ricardo Mestres

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

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.

Son of Flubber (1963)

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 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.

Flubber (1997)

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.

Television Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Disney's The Absent Minded Professor Robert Scheerer Richard Chapman & Bill Dial Ric Rondell Disney's The Absent Minded Professor: Trading Places Robert Scheerer & Bob Sweeney Richard Chapman & Bill Dial

Disney's The Absent Minded Professor (1988)

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.

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

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.

Principal cast and characters

Character Films Theatrical Television The Absent-Minded Professor Son of Flubber Flubber Disney's The Absent Minded Professor Trading Places Flubber Appeared Scott Martin Gershin Appeared ProfessorNed Brainard Fred MacMurray Professor Phillip Brainard Robin Williams ProfessorHenry Crawford Harry Anderson Elizabeth "Betsy" Carlisle-Brainard Nancy Olson ProfessorShelby 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 Leslie Stefanson 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 FilmCrew/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: John Massari 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

Box office and financial performance Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide The Absent-Minded Professor $25,381,407 #3,123 #4,309 $2,000,000 Son of Flubber $22,129,412 #3,400 #4,654 $2,000,000 Disney's The Absent Minded Professor Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places Flubber $92,977,226 $85,000,000 $177,977,226 No. 814 #1,111 $80,000,000 Totals ≙$92,977,226 ≙$85,000,000 225,488,045 ~x̄ #2,447 ~x̄ #3,358 $84,000,000

Critical and public response Film Critical Public Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore The Absent-Minded Professor 82% (22 reviews) 75 (5 reviews) Son of Flubber 86% (7 reviews) Disney's The Absent Minded Professor Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor: Trading Places Flubber 24% (34 reviews) 37 (19 reviews)

Theme park attraction

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.

Related films

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. Additionally, the Merlin Jones film series take place at the in-universe sister-school, Midvale College, while The World's Greatest Athlete is set at the related academic school of Merrivale College.

Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) The Shaggy Dog film series The Shaggy Dog Charles Barton Lillie Hayward & Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Bill Walsh The Shaggy D.A. Robert Stevenson Don Tait Bill Anderson The Return of the Shaggy Dog Stuart Gillard Paul Haggis & Diane Wilk Harvey Marks The Shaggy Dog 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 Robert Stevenson Tom August & Helen August Bill Walsh Walt Disney and Ron Miller The Monkey's Uncle Tom August & Helen August Dexter Riley film series The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Robert Butler Joseph L. McEveety Bill Anderson Now You See Him, Now You Don't Joseph L. McEveety Robert L. King Ron Miller The Strongest Man in the World Vincent McEveety Joseph L. McEveety & Herman Groves Bill Anderson Other films The World's Greatest Athlete Robert Scheerer Dee Caruso and Gerald Gardner Bill Walsh

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