Inspector Gadget (film)

Inspector Gadget, a 1999 superhero comedy, was directed by David Kellogg. The screenplay was written by Kerry Ehrin and Zak Penn, based on a story by Ehrin and Dana Olsen. It is loosely adapted from the 1983–1985 animated series of the same name. Matthew Broderick plays the title character, with Rupert Everett as Dr. Claw, Michelle Trachtenberg as Penny, and Dabney Coleman as Chief Quimby. The film introduces five new characters: Dr. Brenda Bradford (Joely Fisher), Sykes (Mike Hagerty), Kramer (Andy Dick), Mayor Wilson (Cheri Oteri), and the Gadgetmobile (voiced by D. L. Hughley). The story follows Inspector Gadget’s origin as he tries to stop a scheme by the series villain, Dr. Claw. Filming took place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Los Angeles, California, with the castle-like main tower of Pittsburgh’s PPG Place serving as a key location.

Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Caravan Pictures, and DIC Entertainment (then owned by Disney), the film was released theatrically by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution on July 23, 1999. It was the final film from Caravan Pictures before it merged into Spyglass Entertainment. The movie is dedicated to the memory of production designer Michael White, who died in Los Angeles on January 19, 1999, at age 36 during production.

The film was a box office bomb, grossing $134 million against a $75–90 million budget, losing the studio about $30 million. Critics gave negative reviews, praising the score and performances by Everett and Trachtenberg but criticizing the screenplay, visual effects, editing, humor, Broderick’s performance, and its departure from the source material—especially showing Dr. Claw’s face. A direct-to-video sequel, *Inspector Gadget 2*, followed in 2003, with only D. L. Hughley reprising his role as the Gadgetmobile.

**Plot** John Brown lives in Riverton with his 12-year-old niece, Penny Brown, and her beagle, Brain. He works as a security guard at the Bradford robotics laboratory, dreaming of becoming a police officer. Artemus Bradford and his daughter, Brenda, are building a lifelike robotic foot for the Gadget Program, which aims to add android officers to the Riverton Police Department. Malicious tycoon Sanford Scolex uses a robotic tank to break into the lab, steal the foot, and build an army of androids, killing Artemus in the process.