Robert Stevenson directed this Disney comedy that stars Fred MacMurray as Medfield College professor Brainard, an absent-minded man who can't even remember his own wedding, who invents a new substance that is a kind of flying rubber he names Flubber, which he uses on his Model T car or on the shoes of the basketball team to make them jump higher. Only crooked businessman Alonzo Hawk(played by Keenan Wynn) has faith in the discovery, but of course he wants to steal it for himself, and tries to enlist his son Biff(played by Tommy Kirk) to help him. Silly film has some funny scenes but is just too lightweight and the comedy too broad to succeed. Mostly for kids.

Small town chemistry professor, known for his forgetful, befuddled nature yet something of a closet science-genius as well, accidentally creates a rubbery substance in his garage laboratory which generates its own energy (flying rubber--or, as Fred MacMurray keeps reminding us, Flubber). Trouble is, he can't seem to get anyone's attention long enough to explain his discovery (flying his car around the city at night instead of in the daytime probably doesn't help). Sub-plot about the college's main financial contributor hoping to close the campus and turn it into a supermarket is fatuous padding, and the caveat that his son (Tommy Kirk) is the number one player on the college basketball is unintentionally funny (sleepy, despondent Kirk looks ready for nap). Box-office hit most likely squeaked by on its special effects; those not in the mood for leaping, bouncing slapstick can amuse themselves by counting the number of times the editor cuts to MacMurray's dog for quizzical reactions. Sweetheart Nancy Olson's pained expressions run them a close second. Followed by "Son of Flubber" in 1963; reworked as "Flubber" in 1997. ** from ****

i won't say this a great movie,but i will say it sure beats the dreadful 1997 remake called Flubber starring Robin Williams.that movie was tedious,to say the least.this movie,at least,was somewhat entertaining,if not all that funny.there are a couple of mildly amusing moments.there is a lot of overacting,which i have found quite typical of Disney movies of that era(1950's through 70's)but that was probably funny back then.Fred MacMurray plays the main character,professor Brainard,a chemistry professor who discovers a new compound that should revolutionize the world.of course,he's so busy working on his experiments,he neglects everything else in his life.MacMurray is very appealing and likable,as he is in any of his movies.my vote for The Absent Minded Professor is a 5/10

A man creates flying rubber in his garage using gamma rays, blissfully unaware of what gamma radiation can do to the human body. A stupid but enjoyable comedy from Disney, with MacMurray well cast in the title role. Olson is his ever-patient fiancé. Interestingly, the movie careers of MacMurray and Olson peaked in a pair of Billy Wilder classics, "Double Indemnity" and "Sunset Blvd.," respectively. This film is aimed at the kiddie set and they should find it generally amusing. The basketball game is funny initially but becomes repetitive, thanks to the uninspired direction. The last part in Washington seems to be tacked on just to make sure the movie is long enough.