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 (as Edward J. Montagne)

Writers:

James Fritzell (as Jim Fritzell), Everett Greenbaum

Stars:

Don Knotts, Leslie Nielsen, Joan Freeman

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
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:

psychotronic film | astronaut | outer space | doll | floating in space | 

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Taglines:

He's an ASTRO-KNOTT turned ASTRONAUT in the Maddest Mixup in Space History!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 April 1968 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Botcsinálta űrhajós

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The house the Flemings live in is the same set in which James Stewart and his aunts lived in "Harvey" (1950).

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Goofs

In the beginning scene, Roy announces a "Meteorite shower". A Meteroite is a chunk of rock from space that strikes the surface of Earth. Roy should have said "Meteor shower".

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Quotes

Roy Fleming: Why is Pa always trying to run my life?
Mrs. Fleming: Well, after all, he was a corporal in World War I, and you know how bossy they were.
Roy Fleming: But, Ma, that war's been over for ages.
Mrs. Fleming: Not to your father. He loves that war just as much today as he did then.

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Connections

Featured in Ironside: Five Miles High (1969)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A lovable flick

A lovable - adorable - cute - funny flick - great for very young kids - wonderful - i loved it when i was a kid and its still better than all the violent bad mouth pictures parents let their kids watch to day! how could you not like it? anyone who says different is a grumpy olé fart!

(After learning that his father has signed him up for the space program)- already a classic! the best is yet to come!

(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) now the fun really hits the mark!

this is even better for all of us who grew up with a space programs http://www.spaceimages.com/gemini.html http://www.spaceimages.com/more-classic-oldies-mercury-gemini.html http://www.spaceimages.com/apollo810.html