Walt Disney Studios is an age-old production company that has created and continues to create many brilliant timeless pieces. Disney’s 1961 black-and-white movie The Absent-Minded Professor is undoubtedly one such work, one which is still highly acclaimed for its delivery of some great action scenarios deeply embedded with humor. The movie’s combination of science, basketball, and comedy has allowed it to win the hearts of its audience and, in turn, made it one of the best basketball movies of Disney, who has released the John Stamos basketball series Big Shot this year.
The story that follows Professor Brainard, played by Fred MacMurray, whose discovery of the “flubber” substance takes basketball to a whole new level by combining science and sports. However, that is not the sole reason why this movie is still appreciated by basketball movie fans. The sudden plot twist in a basketball game, an adorably fluffy dog, and Professor Brainard’s savior nature are just a few reasons why The Absent-Minded Professor continues to be one the best basketball movies Disney has produced.
Flubber-Soled Shoes
The Absent-Minded Professor is one of those movies that has achieved the perfect level of humor, containing the infamous basketball match with the players literally flying high to great comical effect. This particular scene represents the good old black-and-white comedy that makes one laugh even if the scene contains no dialogue at all. Interestingly, it seems to be a little nod to the future due to the use of Professor Brainard’s flubber-soled shoes as an elevation of the players’ performance which is comparative to the basketball shoes we have today. The advanced special effects department of the time has definitely made this specific game stand out from every other basketball game in cinematic history. The team has made it impossible for the audience to recognize the props, like the ropes tied to the actors, in turn, making everything seem realistic. There is also a combination of what seems like ballet routines that make the match even more hilarious.
A well-known trope that is very common in the cinematic world is the rich-but-crooked man getting beat by the protagonist at his own game. The Absent-Minded Professor is no different. However, this movie has added its own twist as we see the sly men, both Mr. Hawk, played by Keenan Wynn, and Professor Shelby Ashton, played by Elliott Reid, getting pranked by and losing to Professor Brainard. What’s even more hilarious is how during the basketball match, Mr. Hawk’s bet against his alma mater’s team goes south, thanks to the protagonist, which makes the match a double-winning game. The movie attempts to portray numerous morals at once and succeeds in doing so, serving the perfect amount of justice to crooked men.
Hard Work and a Little Science
Basketball is a sport that is often linked to the misconception that tall people are more suited or have a bigger advantage at the sport. The Absent-Minded Professor dismantles this misinterpretation. Disheartened at first, the Medfield College team (and their supporters) almost give up the match simply because the players at Rutland College are quite tall, and seem like paid professionals. However, the movie focuses on the fact that basketball isn’t all about the height of the players as it goes on to show how the Medfield players’ height doesn’t bar them from getting that winning shot. Of course, a proportion of the cheer goes to Professor Brainard and his discovery. Nonetheless, the movie does show that all you need is hard work, dedication and team spirit, and maybe, a little science, to win a game. Additionally, like any other great movie, the level of suspense is quite high as the viewers are kept on their toes throughout the whole game.
Another furry reason that makes The Absent-Minded Professor one of the best Disney basketball movies is the inclusion of an enthusiastic dog as Professor Brainard’s side-kick. Not only is Charlie the dog adorable, but he is also very smart. His reactions to Professor Brainard’s weird experiments are quite entertaining. It is also amusing to see Charlie tagging alongside Professor Brainard during his flights in the Model T automobile. The inclusion of a dog as a sidekick is undeniably a major plus in a film as it takes the comedy to great 'heights.' Charlie is definitely the cherry on top that makes The Absent-Minded Professor a memorable movie.
Amongst all the basketball movies that Disney has produced, The Absent-Minded Professor continues to amuse everyone, inspiring Robin Williams' madcap performance in the remake, Flubber. From an inventively funny basketball match to a remarkable scientific discovery and a lively dog, The Absent-Minded Professor has everything a great movie needs.