The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

Thanks for the memories!

So much average

From my favorite movies..

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This is actually a very fun movie. And also somewhat funny. It is more of an entertaining story than an outright comedy. I saw this on AMC and the guy presenting it said The Absent Minded Professor is Disney's second live action film. He also pointed out that a remake of this was made starring the late Robin Williams. Anyway, the special effects are dated (if you can actually call them special effects) but the scenes with the Professor's car lifting into the air and flying off are somewhat magically; especially in black and white. This film is fun for all ages and I highly recommend it. The movie is about a scientist who keeps forgetting his wedding because he is so focused on his experiments. He ends up inventing a substance with exponential potential energy and uses it to make a flying car, help basketball players win a game and help him win back the heart of his soon to be bride. Like I said, it is fun and you'll enjoy it. I'm not sure why it is only ranking around a 6.8 on IMDb but whatever.

It was years ago when I saw this great movie in the cinema and I can recall the belly laughs. Viewing again I was surprised and delighted that it is still hilariously funny. You don't get those belly laughs that often. THe basket ball game with the flubber is a scream, I was sick with laughter. The effects are as stunning now as when I first saw it. As for those scenes in the car it s simply amazing. I was surprised to see the film in colour as I thought it was in black and white, perhaps I am thinking of reruns on TV. Fred McMurray was perfect. You actually don't like him at first because missing the wedding three times is an incredibly cruel thing to do but once you see his passion for inventing and the love he really has for his fiancé it really does not matter. You warm to the character and he is just perfect for the role. Nancy Olson is no sickly sweet Disney leading lady and she gives a lively spirited performance. I used to hate it when women just stood back in fight scenes biting their hands looking terrified but Nancy is actually a gutsy gal. Keenan Wynn is a fine nasty and there's a lovely little cameo by the great Ed Wynn, Keenan's incredibly famous father. The gorgeous and brilliantly talented Tommy Kirk is there too. What a superb talent this guy was. I hope he is still alive and doing well. Tommy was loved by many fans! I loved the reliable older actors especially the two cops, great performances and of course the wonderful house keeper or maid. Its a gem.

This was a great movie when I was a kid, and was happy to share it with my own kids when they were small some 35 years later. I think a film that can be shared from generation to generation like that qualifies it as a classic.I never saw the original release but saw it as a kid on its re-release to theaters around 1975. I thought it was hilarious then. Yes, it looks a little dated now, but what film that is almost 50 years old doesn't. I think my favorite character was the dog, Charlie. He was just too cute, and the way he could perk his ears up on command. He had as much expression as any of the actors! The special effects for the time were quite good - and garnered a Oscar nomination for special effects. My favorite part as a kid was the flying car. AMP did this 7 years before "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" came out in 1968.Fred McMurray is extremely adept as his portrayal of the clichéd absent-minded professor. It would have been easy for the part to come off as an almost cartoon caricature. But he makes it seem realistic and believable. I'm impressed at his range of acting talent - as in his classic film noir "Double Indemnity" to this lighthearted comedy. I also think Keenan Wynn is very good as loan shark Alonzo Hawk.While my kids enjoyed this when they were small, they would probably consider it "lame" now as teenagers. But I still believe this is a great family film for the whole family.

This is probably one of the best live action films Disney has ever released. Fred MacMurray once again proved how great a comedic actor he was and this film is just a confirmation of it. Also, Nancy Olson was great as his frustrated fiancee, Betsy. However, the real scene stealer in this film is Keenan Wynne as old man Hawk. Mr. Hawk was probably one of the biggest weasels in cinematic history and Tommy Kirk is also great as his son Biff. Also, the best scene in the whole film is the basketball game. That scene alone is what makes this film a classic comedy.