The 9 Mar 1962 DV noted that the “tentatively titled” Son of Flubber, a sequel to The Absent-Minded Professor (1961, see entry), would begin principal photography in May 1962. On 5 May 1962, NYT reported that pre-production was underway on a football field built on a Walt Disney Studios soundstage in Burbank, CA. For the previous several days, the crew was testing a wire-suspension system, which enabled the players in a staged football game to fly over the field. These shots would be intercut with footage of a 1961 high-school football game. Principal photography began 7 May 1962, as stated in 25 May 1962 DV production charts. The 18 Sep 1962 DV revealed that star Fred MacMurray was paid a flat salary for his services, as the Walt Disney Company did not offer profit sharing.
       The film opened 18 Jan 1963 at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. Following the 20 Feb 1963 opening at twenty-five additional area theaters, the 26 Feb 1963 DV reported approximate earnings of $300,000 in the first week. Reviews were generally positive, with the 13 Jan 1963 LAT noting similarities to “the antic frenzy of the early slapstick silents and the marital mixups of the middle talkies.”
       A screening to benefit City of Hope’s Parents of Theatrical Youth auxiliary was hosted by co-star Tommy Kirk at the Fairfax Theatre in Los Angeles, according to the 11 Jul 1963 DV.
       The 24 May 1962 DV stated that actors James Westerfield and Forrest Lewis reprised their roles as police officers “Kelly” and “Hanson,” the characters they played in The Absent-Minded Professor and The Shaggy Dog (1959, see entry).
       According to the 14 Aug 1962 DV, comedian Jerry Van Dyke agreed to make a cameo appearance, providing his start date for The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1963, see entry) was postponed until 17 Aug 1962.
       A news item in the 11 Jan 1963 LAT stated that co-star Ed Wynn celebrated his sixtieth year in the entertainment industry while filming was in progress. Joining him in the cast were his son, Keenan Wynn, and grandson, Ned Wynn. The review in the 9 Feb 1963 NYT noted that Wed Miller, grandson of Walt Disney, appeared on screen as “Baby Walter.”
Published sources credit Franklyn Marks with orchestration; the studio continuity names Walter Sheets.