The Absent-Minded Professor

A wacky comedy in which college professor Ned Brainard (Fred MacMurray) invents flying rubber, which he dubs "flubber." The substance has gravity-defying properties and, when applied to the soles of shoes, allows the wearer to leap to incredible heights. A variety of suitably screwy situations ensue, as the evil Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn) plots to steal the formula for his own personal gain. This is a zanily inventive piece of work, with delightful special effects, which set the style for a long series of live-action Disney films. It earned Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Special Effects. A 1964 sequel, THE SON OF FLUBBER, was...