Air Bud (1997)

A young boy and a talented stray dog with an amazing basketball playing ability become instant friends. Rebounding from his father's accidental death, 12-year-old Josh Framm moves with his ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Martin Smith

Writers:

Kevin DiCicco (character "Air Bud"), Paul Tamasy

Stars:

Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Jeter	...	Norm Snively
Kevin Zegers	...	Josh Framm
Wendy Makkena	...	Jackie Framm
Bill Cobbs	...	Arthur Chaney
Eric Christmas	...	Judge Cranfield
Jay Brazeau	...	Referee 1
Nicola Cavendish	...	Principal Pepper
Brendan Fletcher	...	Larry Willingham
Norman Browning	...	Buck Willingham
Stephen E. Miller	...	Coach Barker
Shayn Solberg	...	Tom
Chris Turner	...	Greg
Christine Kennedy	...	Melissa
Frank C. Turner	...	Bailiff
Marion Dodd	...	Reporter (as Marian Dodd)

Storyline

A young boy and a talented stray dog with an amazing basketball playing ability become instant friends. Rebounding from his father's accidental death, 12-year-old Josh Framm moves with his family to the small town of Fernfield, Washington. The new kid in town, Josh has no friends and is too shy to try out for the school basketball team. Instead he prefers to practice alone on an abandoned court, he befriends a runaway golden retriever named Buddy. Josh is amazed when he realizes that Buddy loves basketball...that is playing basketball...and he is GOOD! Josh eventually makes the school team and Buddy is named the Team Mascot. Josh and Buddy become the stars of halftime. Buddy's half-time talent draws media attention. Unfortunately, when Buddy's mean former owner, Norm Snively, comes along with a scheme to cash in on the pup's celebrity, it looks like they are going to be separated.

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Plot Keywords:

basketball | golden retriever | dog movie | character name in title | 1990s | 

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Taglines:

The dog is in the house.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Disney's Air Bud

Filming Locations:

Fort Langley Community Hall, Fort Langley, Langley Township, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,720,516, 3 August 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$24,629,916, 12 December 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Keystone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jackie Framm's phone number is 555-0150, as evidenced on the fliers that Buddy tears down at 0:28:00 to 0:28:20.

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Goofs

When Josh sadly sets Buddy free in the forest, he is wearing a black baseball cap, but earlier when Josh saves Buddy from Snively and during the chase, he has no hat on.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Josh Framm: Good boy. Just like we always do.

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Connections

Referenced in Duck Dynasty: Boomerang Becca (2014)

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Soundtracks

O Holy Night
Music by Adolphe Adam (uncredited)
Lyricist: English lyrics by John Sullivan Dwight (uncredited)
Performed by St. John's Episcopal Choir
Donald Pearson, Conductor
Courtesy of Delos International
By Arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

Who can, loving animals, not melt over Buddy?

The first of the 'Air Bud' series is as much wonderful as it is horribly underrated, truly a 90's classic. It has a dignified place in the list of the greatest animal movies as well. In many ways it is a depressing movie but it's also heart-warming, touching, feel-good and tons of fun. There's more to it to like, though. Cinematography is really beautiful and pure. The soundtrack is just perfect for this film. The boy and his devoted four-legged friend make a marvelous team and have a perfect chemistry.

Even though the film's title obviously refers to the dog, his name is actually Buddy - that is, once he ends up in the hands of Josh Framm. Even as the movie starts, the little we see is enough to realize how horribly the clown treats his dog (constantly yelling at him, threatening him and hitting him hard with the newspaper). It is heartbreaking to see that. Fortunately, this horrible man accidentally loses him and he finds Josh Framm (a, I assume, 12-year-old who is loving and caring but very shy and silent and currently under depressive mood). They quickly become best friends, as Josh gives him the treatment he deserves. Buddy is a very special dog alone, but he has a special secret that makes him even more special: he can play basketball (even more amazing, better than humans can!).

Even though the clown is a horrible person, he doesn't have that much of a role. He is not someone I sympathize with and he certainly isn't funny, although it is hilarious when his truck falls apart and he can't stop it and accidentally drives it into a river.

Larry Willingham's father is a jerk. Even though Larry unfairly picks on Josh, at least he isn't too bratty and is funny at times. But Larry's father, that guy is such a jerk, although not overly annoying. Coach Joe isn't especially sympathetic because he is very impatient and temperamental, but he goes too far when he throws basketballs at Josh's peculiar friend Tom with aggressiveness.

The movie is focused more on Josh and Buddy, who are the most likable characters of the movie. Kevin Zegers is flawless as Josh Framm. Buddy the Dog is amazing as Buddy (may this wonderful dog rest in peace, wherever he is now). Brendan Fletcher does a good job as Larry. So does Shayn Solberg as Josh's good friend Tom. The late Eric Christmas is hilarious as Judge Cranfield.

Title in Portugal: 'Air Bud'.