The Absent-Minded Professor is a 1961 American film distributed by Walt Disney Productions based on the short story A Situation of Gravity, by Samuel W. Taylor. The title character was based in part on Hubert Alyea, a professor emeritus of chemistry at Princeton University, who was known as "Dr. Boom" for his explosive demonstrations. The film was a huge success at the box-office, and two years later became the first Disney film to have a sequel, 1963's Son of Flubber.
Combined theatrical financials and commercial performance across all 2 installments.
Total Worldwide Gross
$22.1M
Cumulative box office receipts
Total Production Budget
$2M
Combined studio investments
Average Gross / Film
$11.1M
Average theatrical return
Commercial Multiple
11.06x
Worldwide Gross vs Budget
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Bumbling professor Ned Brainard accidentally invents flying rubber, or "Flubber", an incredible material that gains energy every time it strikes a hard surface. It allows for the invention of shoes that can allow jumps of amazing heights and enables a modified Model-T to fly. Unfortunately, no one is interested in the material except for Alonzo Hawk, a corrupt businessman who wants to steal the material for himself.
Beleaguered professor Ned Brainard has already run into a pile of misfortunes with his discovery of the super-elastic substance "Flubber." Now he hopes to have better luck with a gravity-busting derivative he's dubbed "Flubbergas." Ned's experiments, constantly hampered by government obstruction, earn the consternation of his wife, Betsy. But a game-winning modification to a football uniform may help Ned make the case for his fantastic new invention.