The Monkey’s Uncle 

Last Updated on: June 26th, 2024

The Monkey’s Uncle (1965 Movie)

“The Monkey’s Uncle” is a comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions, released in 1965. It is a sequel to the 1963 film “The Misadventures of Merlin Jones.” The movie is directed by Robert Stevenson and stars Tommy Kirk as Merlin Jones and Annette Funicello as Jennifer.

In the film, Merlin Jones is a college student with a knack for getting into misadventures and conducting eccentric experiments. He develops a new revolutionary formula that enables people to communicate with animals. When the college’s football coach, Professor Shattuck (played by Leon Ames), hears about this discovery, he believes that the formula could help him train a chimp named Stanley to play football.

Soon, Merlin, Jennifer, and Stanley find themselves involved in hilarious situations, including mistaken identities, football shenanigans, and quirky experiments with unpredictable results. The film is filled with slapstick humor, zany antics, and comedic performances that make it a delightful family comedy.

“The Monkey’s Uncle” features catchy musical numbers, including the title song “The Monkey’s Uncle” sung by Annette Funicello and The Beach Boys. The film also includes appearances by Frank Faylen and Arthur O’Connell, adding to the fun and charm of the story.

While “The Monkey’s Uncle” received mixed reviews upon its release, it has become a nostalgic favorite for Disney fans over the years. The movie captures the spirit of the 1960s with its lighthearted humor and upbeat musical sequences. The chemistry between Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello, who were popular Disney stars at the time, adds to the appeal of the film.

Overall, “The Monkey’s Uncle” is a whimsical and entertaining comedy that showcases the creativity and humor typical of Disney films from that era. It remains a beloved gem among Disney enthusiasts who enjoy revisiting the playful adventures of Merlin Jones and his furry friend Stanley.



Additional Details

  • Movie Studio:
  • Year Released:
  • Type of Movie: Live-Action
  • Box Office: $4 million
  • IMDB Link

Cast

  • Tommy Kirk: Merlin Jones
  • Annette Funicello: Jennifer
  • Leon Ames: Judge Holmsby
  • Arthur O’Connell: Darius Green III
  • Frank Faylen: Mr. Dearborne
  • Leon Tyler: Leon
  • Norman Grabowski: Norman
  • Cheryl Miller: Lisa
  • Connie Gilchrist: Mrs. Gossett
  • Alan Hewitt: Professor Shattuck
  • Gage Clarke: College President
  • Mark Goddard: Haywood
  • Harry Holcombe: Regent
  • Alexander Lockwood: Regent
  • Harry Antrim: Regent
  • Brian Wilson: Himself
  • Carl Wilson: Himself
  • Dennis Wilson: Himself
  • Al Jardine: Himself
  • Mike Love: Himself

Crew

  • Director: Robert Stevenson
  • Producer: Walt Disney and Ron Miller
  • Music: Buddy Baker

Movie Trailer:




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About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other site isDMR.