Disney, for quite a while, had a whole series of movies set in Medfield(sp?) College. The Kurt Russell series (“The Strongest Kid in the World”, “Now You See Him, Now You Don’t”), The Absent-Minded Professor, some Dean Jones movies, etc were all set at Medfield College. In addition, a number of other live-action movies were in the same universe. The bad-guy from some of these movies was Alonzo Hawk, played wonderfully by Keenan Wynn. Alonzo Hawk was also the bad-guy in “Herbie, The Love Bug” and (I think) other non-Medfield movies.
Anyway, does anyone have a list of the movies set in this universe?
Medfield College was indeed the alma mater of Dexter Riley (Kurt Russell), and they had Professor Brainard (Fred McMurray). AFAIK, the Disney "Medfield College movies consisted of:
The Absent Minded Professor (1961)
Son of Flubber (1963)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1970)
Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1971)
Herbie Rides Again (1974)
The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
TAMP was remade in 1997 as “Flubber”, with Robin Williams, while “Computer” was remade in 1995 as a TVM, with Kirk Cameron.
Keenan Wynn (Alonzo Hawk) only appeared in “The Absent Minded Professor” (1961), “Son of Flubber” (1963), and “Herbie Rides Again” (1974). He was the bad guy in the non-Medfield Disney movie “The Shaggy D.A.” (1976). He played Mr. Slade.
The bad guy in the Dexter Riley movies was A.J. Arno, played by Cesar Romero.
Guy: Thanks! You are a prince amongst men. This has been bugging me for weeks. (No, I don’t know why Dexter Reilly suddenly came to mind)
What about “Gus”, “The World’s Greatest Athlete” (that’s the one where “Tarzan” goes to college, right?) and the one about the radioactive goose that lays golden eggs? Not Medfield?
tc: I’m pretty sure this is a GQ, since the question had a factual answer. If I’d wanted to discuss the subtle overarching nuances of the anti-nuclear power agenda found in the Dexter Reilly movies vis-a-vis Marvel comic’s pro-nuclear energy stance in it’s early days, I’d woulda put it in CS.
As it is, we’ve just turned it into a ATMB thread!
#1) Has Blackbeard’s Ghost ever been released on Video/DVD?
#2) Anyone else have a fondness for the Dexter Reilly movies? As a kid, they were great wish-fulfillment movies for me. Especially “The Strongest Kid in the World” Something about magic breakfast cereal… As soon as/if Disney ever releases 'em on DVD, I’ll get 'em
