Monte là-d'ssus

I think it is time this movie is reviewed by its positive qualities and not just centered on how utterly sophisticated the reviewer would like to be remembered by the readers of IMDB.com.

First of all, let me say there is nothing wrong with "hokum" or old American values or screwball comedies or old Disney movies. As with anything, it's always in the eye of the beholder. This movie was fun to watch and funny in enough places to warrant a watch by any self-respecting human being with a warm sense of humor.

Second of all, The Absent-Minded Professor elicited a wonderful collection of chuckles from me. Perhaps I didn't expect them...but they did come and especially in one joyful moment during a basketball game. Believe me, I am not even an NBA fan...but that scene cured a lot of ills. Maybe it was my frame of mind on that particular day. But, the record stands that I did laugh, and with some old-fashioned "glee", I might add.

Third of all, I believe comedies are sometimes taken too seriously: As if we were supposed to come away with some vastly profound elucidation from the experience.

Fourth of all, one has to be rather shallow not to appreciate the the wonderful collection of character actors in this and many Disney movies - before the prohibitive cost of making movies made it impossible to have a diverse collection of actors. I miss this kind of movie where character actors litter the celluloid landscape as if in some garden of earthly theatrical delights "a la Frank Capra or Preston Sturges".

One last thing, it was a travesty that this 1961 movie, though nominated for some Oscars, did not win at least in the Technical categories. Yes, it's goofy to us in these 'Post-2001 A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, ET, Independence Day' times, but all of them owe a bit of thanks to the legacy of the past.

And this movie is part of that legacy of fun effects which advanced us ever so kindly into our present state of "sophistication", and sometimes, Ungrateful Complacency and Ennui.

Fred MacMurray had a wonderful career with leading roles in all types of films. He had many hit comedies and dramas. He made Westerns, mysteries, action and adventure thrillers, war films and even sang in a couple of movies. Toward the end of his career, he made some family films for Walt Disney and starred in TV series. And, he still did an occasional other film - drama, Western, comedy or other.

"The Absent-Minded Professor" is his second Disney family movie, after the successful 1959 "The Shaggy Dog."

This film was an even bigger box office success. It's a fun family film for kids of all ages. It's a fine comedy with some good trick camera work. A basketball game with the Medfield College team bouncing to the rafters and leaping onto backboards will leave one wondering how Disney filmed those scenes. Besides MacMurray, Keenan Wynn, Nancy Olson, Leon Ames and Elliott Reid add some comedy.

The movie received three Academy Award nominations, for camera work, art and set work and special effects. MacMurray also got a Golden Globe nomination for best actor. That's the only major nomination he ever received. Yet he was a consummate actor in any genre, and one of the best entertainers for several hit comedy films during Hollywood's golden age.

All of MacMurray's films continue to please audiences well into the 21st century. This film is a good one for family time to laugh and smile together. Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Mrs. Chatsworth, "But remember this. The universe is millions and millions and millions of years old. It can wait a little. But girls can't wait."

When I was younger, Fred MacMurray was my Colin Farrell. He was everywhere, and never seemed to make a bad movie. Sure, they might be campy and silly, but that's what works for a younger age group. And this one holds up. The flubber is quite possibly one of the neatest inventions in movie history. And though the Robin Williams remake gave it the new age CGI, the black and white gives the movie such a good feel. I still get a kick out of Fred torturing the man trying to muscle in on his girl.

I must have been eight when I saw this, since it's listed as coming out in 1961. I was an unsophisticated kid, who didn't see too many movies in my youth, and those I did see tended towards the non-controversial. I'm glad they did, there was plenty of time for me to learn about "sex, drugs, and rock and roll later in my movie-going career. MacMurray, Kirk, and Wynn (and the others) played their roles to perfection, leaving me in open-mouthed admiration. An added bonus, my Dad was a professor and for quite a while, my brother and I called him the Absent Minded Professor...

The Absent Minded Professor

Classic family from from Walt Disney that stars Fred MacMurray in the title role as a rather forgetful and absent minded professor who invents a strange putty substance that drives him and his close contacts bonkers. The movie is much more inspired, likable and family-friendly (not to mention funnier and more charming) than the remake starring Robin Williams, which was written by John Hughes long after his career had fallen downwards. This version is the definitive version--don't let the kiddies convince you to rent the other one before you see this one!

**** / *****