The Absent Minded Professor 1961
Directed by
Robert Stevenson
Made by
Buena Vista Distribution Company
Plot Summary
Professor Brainard, portrayed by Fred MacMurray, is an absent-minded but brilliant professor of physical chemistry at Medfield College. In a moment of inspiration, he creates a peculiar green substance that surprisingly gains energy upon hitting a hard surface. This remarkable discovery follows some complex calculations involving a minor adjustment to an equation related to enthalpy, which leads him to name his invention ‘Flubber’—a playful blend of “flying rubber.” However, in the midst of his excitement, he heartbreakingly misses his own wedding to Betsy Carlisle, played by Nancy Olson, marking the third time this occurs.
The story unfolds with several engaging subplots. One involves another professor attempting to win over the disheartened Betsy. Meanwhile, Biff Hawk, portrayed by Tommy Kirk, struggles for eligibility in basketball due to failing Brainard’s class. Meanwhile, Alonzo Hawk, played by Keenan Wynn, devises crafty schemes to exploit Flubber for personal gain while the college grapples with financial crises, including debts owed to Mr. Hawk himself. Throughout this rollercoaster of events, Brainard seeks interest from the government and the military regarding potential applications for his miraculous invention.
In a comical twist, Shelby Ashton, portrayed by Elliott Reid, who harbors feelings for Betsy, faces his own light-hearted revenge at the hands of the oblivious Professor. In one hilarious scene, Brainard bounces atop Shelby’s car, leading to an unexpected accident with a police vehicle, where he has to endure a field sobriety test.
As Brainard attempts to attract investors for Flubber, he energetically demonstrates the bouncing properties of his creation. However, his lengthy pitch results in most audience members leaving before they even witness the ball’s impressive bounce. In a more successful exhibition, he astounds onlookers by transforming a Model T automobile into a flying vehicle by subjecting it to Flubber enhanced with radioactive particles.
A string of misadventures follows as Brainard cleverly uses Flubber to enhance the jumping abilities of basketball players during a crucial game and even excels in dance at a school event. Alonzo Hawk soon conspires to humiliate the professor by switching his car with one containing unwieldy animals, intending to prove Flubber is a hoax to government officials. In a dramatic turn, Brainard’s ingenuity leads him to outsmart Hawk, who ends up being tackled by a football team after a testing mishap involving Flubber.
Eventually, the eccentric Professor retrieves his old Model T, only for a series of comedic events to lead to Hawk’s arrest for possession of a firearm after a chaotic encounter with a police vehicle. With persistence, Brainard ultimately demonstrates his groundbreaking invention to the government, overcoming a prior scare from a flying missile. In a heartwarming conclusion, he finally wins back Betsy, culminating in a long-awaited wedding celebration.
Timeline
Brainard's Discovery
Professor Brainard creates a peculiar green substance that gains energy upon impact with hard surfaces. This innovative discovery leads him to name his invention 'Flubber', a playful term reflecting its bouncing properties.
Missed Wedding
In his excitement over Flubber, Brainard heartbreakingly misses his wedding to Betsy Carlisle for the third time. This moment emphasizes his absent-mindedness and the humorous chaos surrounding his life.
Betsy's Dilemma
Betsy's heartache is compounded by another professor's attempts to woo her, showcasing the tension in Brainard's personal life. This subplot reveals the struggles of love amidst the chaos of academia.
Basketball Troubles
Biff Hawk faces academic eligibility issues in basketball due to failing Brainard's class. This subplot highlights the intersection of sports, academics, and the consequences of Brainard's eccentric teaching methods.
Alonzo Hawk's Scheme
Alonzo Hawk devises crafty plans to exploit Flubber for personal gain. As the college deals with financial issues, Hawk’s schemes increasingly jeopardize Brainard's hard work and innovations.
Shelby's Revenge
Shelby Ashton, who has feelings for Betsy, seeks light-hearted revenge against Brainard. Their humorous antics culminate in a ridiculous accident involving a police vehicle during one of Brainard's demonstrations.
Investor Presentation
Brainard attempts to attract investors by demonstrating Flubber's remarkable properties. Unfortunately, his lengthy presentation causes most audience members to leave before witnessing a captivating bounce.
Flying Model T
In a remarkable demonstration, Brainard turns a Model T automobile into a flying vehicle using Flubber enhanced with radioactive particles. This transformation dazzles onlookers and showcases the potential of his invention.
Basketball Enhancement
Brainard applies Flubber to enhance the jumping abilities of basketball players during a critical game. This moment illustrates his ingenious creativity, blending science with the sports world for unexpected results.
Dance Competition Triumph
Exhibiting Flubber's abilities, Brainard excels in a school dance competition. His rhythmic jumps captivate the audience, further solidifying his invention's place in the hearts of the students.
Alonzo's Sabotage
Alonzo Hawk attempts to discredit Brainard by switching his car with one full of unwieldy animals. This ploy is meant to humiliate the professor in front of government officials but backfires dramatically.
Brainard's Showdown
In a tense moment, Brainard outsmarts Alonzo Hawk, leading to a comical confrontation where Hawk is tackled by a football team. This twist showcases Brainard's quick thinking under pressure.
Chaos with the Model T
Brainard retrieves his Model T amidst a series of comedic events. The situation escalates when law enforcement gets involved, resulting in Hawkins' arrest for firearm possession after the environment grows chaotic.
Government Demonstration
Ultimately, Brainard demonstrates Flubber to government officials, overcoming obstacles including a brief scare from a flying missile. His persistence and creativity are key in showcasing Flubber's potential.
Reconciliation and Wedding
In a heartwarming conclusion, Brainard finally reconciles with Betsy and they celebrate their long-awaited wedding. This joyful ending underlines the themes of love and redemption throughout the story.
Characters
Professor Brainard (Fred MacMurray)
Professor Brainard is an absent-minded but brilliant physical chemistry professor whose creativity leads to the invention of Flubber. Despite his intelligence, he often finds himself in humorous predicaments due to his distraction and enthusiasm for his work. His character represents the archetype of the quirky inventor, battling external challenges while navigating personal relationships.
Betsy Carlisle (Nancy Olson)
Betsy is the professor's love interest, embodying patience and understanding amidst Brainard's chaotic life. Her desperation and disappointment over being repeatedly stood up reflects the emotional stakes in their relationship. Ultimately, her character evolves, highlighting the theme of perseverance in love.
Biff Hawk (Tommy Kirk)
Biff is a determined student striving to stay eligible for basketball despite his academic struggles. He serves as a secondary protagonist and his subplot intertwines proudly with Brainard's innovations. His character highlights the challenges that students face while trying to balance academics and extracurricular passions.
Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn)
Alonzo is the film's antagonist, constantly scheming to exploit Flubber for his own gain. His crafty nature and drive to undermine Brainard create conflict, showcasing the ethical dilemmas often present in academic and entrepreneurial environments. Despite his antics, he adds a humorous foil to Brainard's intelligence.
Shelby Ashton (Elliott Reid)
Shelby is a rival to Brainard for Betsy's affection, adding another layer of comedic rivalry. His antics often lead to humorous situations, reflecting the absurdity of love triangles. Shelby embodies the classic comedic foil, whose attempts at revenge backfire in light-hearted ways.
Setting
Time period
The time period of the film feels distinctly modern with a blend of mid-20th century charm. While the specific year is not mentioned, societal norms, technology, and fashion indicate a post-war America focusing on innovation and science. This era is marked by optimism and emerging creativity in various fields.
Location
Medfield College
Medfield College serves as the backdrop for the film, depicted as a hub of innovation and education. It is where Professor Brainard conducts his groundbreaking research, ultimately leading to the invention of Flubber. The campus is characterized by its academic atmosphere, vibrant student life, and the comedic challenges that unfold within its walls.
Themes
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Love and Absence
The bittersweet theme of love and absence resonates throughout the film, particularly through Professor Brainard's repeated failures to arrive at significant moments. His relationship with Betsy highlights the struggle between personal ambition and romantic commitments. Ultimately, the narrative showcases the importance of perseverance in love despite life's distractions.
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Invention and Innovation
Invention and innovation take center stage, driven by Brainard's discovery of Flubber. This theme illustrates the excitement and challenges that come with scientific breakthroughs, alongside the societal implications of such inventions. Brainard's journey emphasizes the creativity needed to navigate obstacles and garner interest in revolutionary concepts.
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Competition and Teamwork
The film showcases themes of competition and teamwork, particularly through the basketball subplot where Flubber is used to enhance players' abilities. These elements highlight the balance between individual success and collaborative effort in achieving collective goals, mirroring the dynamics within the college community.
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