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 | boy | 

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Taglines:

He Sits. He Stays. He Shoots. He Scores.

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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 automobile license tag is TFJ - 453, seen for a split second at 0:06:12.

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Goofs

During Snively's chase after Josh and Buddy, he's about to hit a Dodge Aries from the back. But the next shot, he comes in contact with it by the side.

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Quotes

Judge Cranfield: By the powers vested in me, I award custody of the dog to Josh Framm.
[Bang his Gavel]
Judge Cranfield: Case closed. Thank God.
Norm Snively: You can't do that! That dog is my dog! I got pictures!
Judge Cranfield: Will somebody suppress that clown?
[the bailiff and the two police officers dragged the clown Norm Snively away and placed him under arrest. And the clown Norm Snively shouting]

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Alien Resurrection/Welcome to Sarajevo/Flubber/Public Housing/Bent (1997)

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Soundtracks

Clair
Written and Performed by Gilbert O'Sullivan

User Reviews

One Great Movie!

Air Bud is truly a family classic,and one that you'll want to see over and over again. I couldn't believe that Buddy could actually make a basket,but he did. It was really funny and overall a great movie.