The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)

Don Knotts is Roy Fleming, a small town kiddie-ride operator who is deathly afraid of heights. After learning that his father has signed him up for the space program, Roy reluctantly heads ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Montagne

Writers:

James Fritzell, Everett Greenbaum

Stars:

Don Knotts, Leslie Nielsen, Joan Freeman

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Don Knotts	...	Roy Fleming
Leslie Nielsen	...	Major Fred Gifford
Joan Freeman	...	Ellie Jackson
Jesse White	...	Donelli
Jeanette Nolan	...	Mrs. Fleming
Frank McGrath	...	Plank
Arthur O'Connell	...	Buck Fleming
Joan Shawlee	...	Blonde in Bar
Guy Raymond	...	Bert
Nydia Westman	...	Aunt Zana
Paul Hartman	...	Rush
Robert F. Simon	...	Cervantes (as Robert Simon)
Robert Pickering	...	Moran

Storyline

Don Knotts is Roy Fleming, a small town kiddie-ride operator who is deathly afraid of heights. After learning that his father has signed him up for the space program, Roy reluctantly heads for Houston, only to find out upon arriving that his job is a janitor, not an astronaut. Anxious to live up to the expectations of his domineering father, Roy manages to keep up a facade of being an astronaut to his family and friends. When NASA decides to launch a lay person into space to prove the worthiness of a new automated spacecraft, Roy gets the chance to confront his fears.

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Plot Keywords:

astronaut | doll | cowardice | floating in space | drunkenness | 

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Taglines:

Boldly going where no coward has gone before.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Botcsinálta űrhajós

Filming Locations:

Courthouse Square, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was set for release shortly after the Apollo 1 fire which took the lives of 3 astronauts, which raised questions about the appropriateness of releasing a space themed comedy film so close to the tragedy.

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Goofs

In one scene Knotts's character tells Jesse White's character that he is an only child. A few scenes later his nieces dedicate a song to uncle Roy. How can he be an uncle without any siblings?

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Quotes

Roy Fleming: [as Mr. Spaceman, operating the Rocket Ride] We are now passing over the Hawaiian Islands. Our flight plan will carry us to the recovery area 100 miles southeast of the Bahamas. We are starting our retro-rocket countdown: five, four, three, two, one, firing retro rockets!
[presses button making rocket sound]
Roy Fleming: We will be touching down in twenty minutes.
Mary: [whispering] I have to go to the bathroom.
Roy Fleming: We have just touched down!

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Space Song"
(uncredited)
Music by Joseph Gershenson
Lyrics by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum

User Reviews

Top Knotts, in Space

Knotts plays a man who works at the local kiddieland as an "astronaut" for a children's ride. His war hero father's dream is to have Knotts be a real astronaut but Knotts is afraid of heights and most important, he is afraid of disappointing his father.

Knotts has a very good outing in this outer space flick. He brings the usual "I'm scared to death" character that made Knotts a star on both TV and film. Knotts was allowed to develop this character from a man who couldn't better himself and had no pride, into a space hero that the community looked up to.

This is a good family movie from the 60's and it's top for Knotts.