Mark Watson's blog

Blackbeard's Ghost

Ben Stahl's classic novel of paranormal suspense came to theaters in the mid-1960s, courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures. In the film version, Dean Jones stars as Steve Walker, who befriends a mysterious supernatural seafarer from the 16th century and goes after the gangsters who find Blackbeard disappear and reappear with hilarious results.

Blackbeard's Ghost

The Absent-minded Professor

In this 1961 Walt Disney Pictures science-fiction comedy, Fred MacMurray stars as Prof. Ned Brainard, an absent-minded scientist who discovers an anti-gravity substance known as "Flubber" (flying rubber). As Prof. Brainard experiences Flubber, something is going to happen - how free and clear this mysterious

"flying goo" does is what happens when he places the material inside a Ford Model T, just to prove how magical his invention is. Traveling in his classic automobile, Prof. Brainard flies over the City of Medford -

bounces on and off the basketball court - and goes after the notorious Mr. Hawke, who attempts to steel

his invention and gets away with hilarious outbursts.

It wouldn't be too long until the early 1990s, when NBC aired a pair of The Absent-minded Professor telefilms starring Harry Anderson as Prof. Brainard.

The Absent-minded Professor

The Absent-minded Professor

The Absent-minded Professor: Trading Places