Now You See Him, Now You Don't facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Now You See Him, Now You Don't
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Butler
Produced by	Ron Miller
Screenplay by	Joseph L. McEveety
Story by	Robert L. King
Starring	Kurt Russell Cesar Romero Joe Flynn Jim Backus William Windom
Music by	Robert F. Brunner
Cinematography	Frank V. Phillips
Editing by	Cotton Warburton
Studio	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Distribution
Release date(s)	July 12, 1972 (1972-07-12)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Money made	$4,610,000 (US/Canada) (rentals)

Now You See Him, Now You Don't is a fun 1972 movie from Walt Disney Productions. It stars Kurt Russell as Dexter Riley, a smart chemistry student. Dexter accidentally finds a way to become invisible!

This movie is a sequel to the 1969 film The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes. It was followed by another movie in 1975 called The Strongest Man in the World. Now You See Him, Now You Don't was also the first Disney film shown on TV in a full two-hour slot in 1975.

What Happens in the Movie?

Dexter's Amazing Discovery

At Medfield College, Dexter Riley loves science. His friends, Richard Schuyler and Debbie Dawson, are also part of his group. They often listen in on important college meetings. The college's leader, Dean Eugene Higgins, is worried about money.

One day, Professor Lufkin shows Dean Higgins around the science lab. Dexter is working on an invisibility experiment. Another student, Druffle, is studying bumblebees. That night, a big thunderstorm hits the lab. Lightning strikes, and Dexter's experiment is ruined.

The next day, Dexter checks his damaged equipment. He accidentally drops part of his glasses into his special liquid. It looks like the liquid destroys them. But then, Dexter sees that the frames are just partly invisible! He tries putting his fingers in the liquid, and they disappear. Richard and Debbie are shocked to see his hand partly gone. Dexter then makes Richard try it too, before telling him he doesn't have a way to reverse it yet!

A Sneaky Plan is Revealed

Just then, Dean Higgins brings A.J. Arno to the lab. Arno is a former prisoner. Dexter had helped expose Arno's illegal gambling before. The students notice Arno is more interested in the college buildings than Dean Higgins's speech.

Dexter thinks Arno is up to something. He convinces Richard to use the invisibility formula. They sneak into Arno's office that night. They find a model of Medfield College. It shows the college redesigned as a gambling place! They quickly take photos of the model. Debbie helps them escape.

The Golf Game and a Suspicious Arno

Dexter shows the photos to Professor Lufkin and Dean Higgins. Higgins is trying to get Medfield back into the Forsythe science contest. He thinks Druffle's bumblebee study will help. Dexter believes his invisibility formula could win the top prize.

Higgins learns Medfield was dropped from the contest. He decides to meet the contest sponsor, Timothy Forsythe. Higgins plans to play golf with him, even though he's not good at it. Dexter realizes this is about saving the college. He tells Richard to be Higgins's caddy. Dexter, invisible, controls Higgins's golf ball.

At the golf club, Forsythe and another dean are amazed by Higgins's golf skills. He gets many hole-in-one shots! Arno is also there and watches closely. After the game, Forsythe agrees to let Medfield back into the competition. Meanwhile, Arno accidentally sees Dexter becoming visible in the showers. He starts to get suspicious.

Trouble at the Tournament

Local TV news covers Higgins's amazing golf game. He gets invited to a special tournament. Higgins thinks he can win enough money to pay the college's debts. He accepts and leaves with Richard. Dexter misses the plane. He has to watch the tournament on TV. Higgins's game is a disaster!

Arno and his helpers also watch. They wonder why Higgins played so differently. Back at college, Higgins is sad. Druffle, the bumblebee student, appears covered in bandages. He was attacked by his bees because he's allergic! Professor Lufkin suggests they try Dexter's invisibility formula. Higgins reluctantly agrees.

The Formula is Stolen!

That evening, Arno's helper, Cookie, pretends to be a janitor. He sneaks into the lab. He sees Dexter and Richard using the invisibility spray. Cookie tells Arno, who orders him to steal it.

The next day, Forsythe and his committee come to judge the science experiments. Dexter and Richard don't know their spray bottle was swapped. They try to show their invention, but nothing happens! Forsythe and Higgins leave. Dexter talks to Charlie, the real janitor. He learns there's no night janitor. Dexter realizes Cookie stole the formula. He figures Arno is behind it. Dexter plants a hidden walkie-talkie in Arno's office.

The Invisible Bank Robbery

A few days later, Richard overhears Arno's plan. Arno and Cookie will rob the Medfield Bank. They plan to make themselves and the money invisible. Dexter wants to get the formula back before the Forsythe Award announcement. He sends Richard to the police. Dexter goes to tell the bank president, Mr. Sampson.

Both the police and Mr. Sampson don't believe the boys' story about invisibility. Dexter and his friends wait outside the bank. Invisible Arno and Cookie knock out the guards and take the money. Dexter tries to stop them with a fire hydrant, but it doesn't work. Mr. Sampson calls the police. The police and students chase the invisible robbers' car.

The Big Finish

After a long chase, Dexter forces Arno's car into a swimming pool. In the water, the car, the money, and the men become visible! Arno and his helpers are arrested.

Dexter and his friends rush to the Forsythe Award presentation. They beg for one more chance to show their invention. Higgins tries to stop them. Dexter sprays Richard, but again, nothing happens. Dexter realizes the pool water diluted the formula. Just as Higgins says invisibility doesn't exist, the top half of him becomes invisible! Everyone is shocked. Dexter wins the top prize, saving Medfield College for another year!

Who's in the Movie?

Comics About the Movie

The story of Now You See Him, Now You Don't was also made into comics! A text story with pictures appeared in Walt Disney Comics Digest #37 in October 1972. The Walt Disney's Treasury of Classic Tales comic strip also had an adaptation. It was written by Frank Reilly and drawn by John Uslher. This comic ran from April 2, 1972, to June 25, 1972.

See also

In Spanish: Now You See Him, Now You Don't para niños