SON OF FLUBBER
US, 1963, 100 minutes, Black and white.
Fred Mac Murray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk, Ed Wynn, Charles Ruggles, Leon Ames, William Demarest, Paul Lynde, Elliott Reid, Joanna Cook Moore, Edward Andrews.
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
Son of Flubber is the sequel to The Absentminded Professor, a great hit for Walt Disney Studios in the early 1960s, featuring Fred Mac Murray as a professor who invented a resilient stuff – useful for every purpose imaginable. This time the Pentagon is interested in a contract with the professor, but can’t come up with the money to pay for it. In the meantime, he and his wife (Nancy Olson) have tax problems. They are also haunted by a vengeful associate played by Keenan Wynn.
There is also a domestic problem as an old flame (Joanna Moore) comes back to town and flirts with the professor.
There is a lot of talking in the film which may make it difficult for audiences from later decades. Again, the special effects are fairly limited at this time of the early 60s for various processes.
Robert Stevenson, who directed twenty films for the Disney Studios from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, was to capitalise on developments of effects in his next film, in the next year, Mary Poppins.
1.The popularity of the flubber films of the 60s? The story, the effects, the slapstick?
2.Black and white photography, for the special effects, especially of the flying car as well as the bounces and leaps with the flubber? The musical score?
3.The fantasy situation, the absentminded professor, his laboratory, the young men trying to imitate him, especially Alonzo Hawk’s son?
4.Fred Mac Murray as the professor, his talking with the universities, the financial difficulties, Alonzo Hawk trying to take over? The visit to the Pentagon, the defence secretary, having no money to give the professor? Betsy and her being feted by the commercial company, wanting the million-dollar contract, having to give everything back, the tearing up of the cheque? Life at home, the visit of Desiree and Betsy’s reaction? Her old flame, Professor Ashton? The tensions at the meal, afterwards? Betsy going to live with friends? Going to the party, discovering the professor there (because there was no food in the house)? His playing the saxophone (which Fred Mac Murray actually did)? The clashes, the reconciliation?
5.Alonzo Hawk, sharp, critical, the court case? Biff as his son, his experiments, with Humphrey? The final success, in the game – with all the leaps, the split-second timing, the final goal?
6.The court case, the judge, the president of the university, A.J. Allen and Ed Wynn’s comic style in giving testimony? The value of flubber?
7.The various experiments and mishaps, the seeding of the clouds with the rain? The breaking of all the windows in the town?
8.The professor pleading his case, his success? A happy fantasy – 1960s style?
