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Mathematics Goes to the Movies

by Burkard Polster and Marty Ross

The Absent-Minded Professor (1961)

Professor Ned Brainard (Fred MacMurray) is teaching a chemistry class. On the blackboard in the background are chemical equations involving differentials.

2:22
Professor Brainard’s notebook contains similar equations.

4:55
Professor Brainard is in his laboratory, and is singing to the tune of “Here comes the Bride”.
PROFESSOR BRAINARD: The square root of E minus C alpha-G.

6:15
Professor Brainard is checking his calculations on the blackboard.
PROFESSOR BRAINARD: What a lunkhead I am! Instead of minus it should be plus!