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 | boy | dog | human animal relationship | 

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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

The moving truck that drove around Buddy's cage, on the highway, was carrying the Framm's items. It can be seen at the house that Jackie Framm drove to and moved, approximately four to six minutes after the movie started.

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Goofs

In the final basketball game, Josh's hair is down over his face at the start, then gelled back, and then back down again.

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Quotes

Arthur Chaney: [after Larry scores an unassisted field-goal, alone] Larry, out!
Larry Willingham: What are you taking me out for?
Buck Willingham: What the hell do you think you are doin'?
Arthur Chaney: Time, ref!
[referee then blew whistle, for time-out]
Buck Willingham: Why are you takin' my kid out for?
Arthur Chaney: 'Cause he's playin' like he's a one-man team.
Buck Willingham: This boy *is* the team!
Arthur Chaney: Maybe, he is to a worked-up father, but to me, he's a player who's got a whole lot to learn. Now, kindly to take your seat, Mr. Willingham, and let me get back to coaching my team.
Buck Willingham: [angrily] Come on, Larry...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Lucas Bros Moving Co: Tales from the Hoodie (2014)

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Soundtracks

Splish Splash
Written by Bobby Darin and Murray the 'K' (as Jean Murray)
Produced and Performed by Jimmy Z.

User Reviews

A simple, innocent, mildely intertaning after school special.

A young boy who's father has passed away moves to a new town with his baby sister and mother, with little hopes of making new friends or getting over his father's death: until he finds a dog who can play basketball! Turning suddenly from being an incompetent water boy, whom only dreams of joining the school basketball team, to an admirable young athlete with his great new dog, Buddy.

A mildly entertaining afternoon special for kids. With it's innocence and slitly comicle charm, this movie, like all other afterschool specials has it's moments. I wouldn't say it was funny, it dosn't have what most of the modern day kids or pre-teens are looking for in their entertainment: Bombs going off, blood, martial arts or showy costumes. It's the type of thing for a family with three or four children of mixed ages to watch with their mother before nap time. Isn't obscene like most movies even a nine year old might watch these days, yet isn't Barnie or Elmo either.