rofessor Ned Brainard of Medfield College is so engrossed in a scientific experiment he fails to show up for the third time for his wedding with pretty Betsy Carlisle. But though he loses his girl to rival Professor Shelby Ashton, his absentmindedness pays off with the creation of Flubber, a rubbery substance with an antigravity agent. With his new invention he is able to help the puny Medfield basketball team win against Rutland College; prevent a crook, Alonzo Hawk, from stealing Flubber; and win back Betsy, flying in a Flubber-ized Model T to Washington to give the powerful creation to a grateful government. The motion picture, made on a small budget, did fine business at the box office, led to a sequel, "Son of Flubber," and had theatrical reissues in 1967 and 1974. It was released on video in black and white in 1981 and 1993, and in a colorized version in 1986, after an airing on the Disney Channel in March of that year. This was the first Disney film to be colorized, but the process was still in its infancy and the results were less than spectacular. In 1988-89, two new television episodes based on the film were produced, starring Harry Anderson. Directed by Robert Stevenson in black and white. 96 min. The special effects were created by Robert A. Mattey and Eustace Lycett, who were nominated for an Academy Award®, and included the sodium screen matte process, as well as miniatures and wire-supported mockups. The film's "Medfield Fight Song" was written by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, their first song for a Disney feature.