The trusty dolphin character Flipper dazzled youthful audiences with its debut in the 1963 feature film of the same name. Later, the popular bottle-nosed mammal made a return appearance in the film sequel Flipper's New Adventure (1964), and then starred in a television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) series, Flipper (1964–68). Three decades later, the dolphin reappeared in another TV series called Flipper (1995). Finally, amid a nostalgic wave of motion pictures based on hit 1960s TV series, the mammal again appeared in a new film, once again titled Flipper (1996).

What makes this character so appealing is its seeming ability to communicate and interact with humans. Flipper is a playful and mischievous character, but in times of danger, Flipper acts with death-defying courage.

In the first film, which takes place in the Florida Keys, Flipper is an injured dolphin who befriends a twelve-year-old fisherman's son named Sandy Ricks...