The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)
Reference View | Change View
- Approved
- 1h 41min
- Comedy, Family
- 15 Apr 1968 (Denmark)
- Movie
A NASA janitor is sent into space.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Award:
- 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| 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
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Budd Albright | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
|
| Thomas Bellin | ... |
Technician (uncredited)
|
|
| Marjorie Bennett | ... |
Woman at Mailbox (uncredited)
|
|
| Jim Boles | ... |
Bartender (uncredited)
|
|
| Paul Bradley | ... |
Engineer (uncredited)
|
|
| Loie Bridge | ... |
Frieda Wilcox (uncredited)
|
|
| Paul Bryar | ... |
First Bus Driver (uncredited)
|
|
| Ceil Cabot | ... |
Waitress (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Bob Carraway | ... |
Bob Friendly (uncredited)
|
| Al Checco | ... |
Man at Console (uncredited)
|
|
| Pat Colby | ... |
Scientist (uncredited)
|
|
| John Daheim | ... |
Startled Motorist (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Fabian Dean | ... |
Second Bus Driver (uncredited)
|
| Fay DeWitt | ... |
Secretary (uncredited)
|
|
| Jerry Dexter | ... |
Technician (uncredited)
|
|
| Nick Dimitri | ... |
Astronaut (uncredited)
|
|
| Jerry Dunphy | ... |
TV Newscaster (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Cecil Elliott | ... |
Roselle Duncan - Woman with Dog (uncredited)
|
| Pamelyn Ferdin | ... |
Mary - Little Girl (uncredited)
|
|
| Mickey Finn | ... |
Charley (uncredited)
|
|
| Med Flory | ... |
White Shirt in Bar (uncredited)
|
|
| Melissa Gilbert | ... |
Niece (uncredited)
|
|
| Harry Holcombe | ... |
Dr. Bowen (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Shep Houghton | ... |
Engineer (uncredited)
|
| Vince Howard | ... |
Technician (uncredited)
|
|
| William Hudson | ... |
Fireman (uncredited)
|
|
| Ray Kellogg | ... |
Brown Shirt in Bar (uncredited)
|
|
| Dorothy Konrad | ... |
Woman Playing Piano (uncredited)
|
|
| Lee Krieger | ... |
Second Janitor (uncredited)
|
|
| Ted Mapes | ... |
Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Pat McCaffrie | ... |
Scotty (uncredited)
|
| Ralph Montgomery | ... |
First Janitor (uncredited)
|
|
| Burt Mustin | ... |
Ned (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Bill Neff | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
|
| Ron Nyman | ... |
Astronaut (uncredited)
|
|
| Nelson Olmsted | ... |
Dr. Lowe (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Murray Pollack | ... |
Nasa Employee (uncredited)
|
| Bill Quinn | ... |
Captain Ferguson (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Anthony Redondo | ... |
Observer on Sidewalk (uncredited)
|
|
|
Waclaw Rekwart | ... |
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
|
| Clint Ritchie | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
|
|
| Edwin Rochelle | ... |
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
|
|
| Don Ross | ... |
Airport Ticket Clerk (uncredited)
|
|
| Billy Sands | ... |
Airport Announcer / Man Mopping Floor in Film (uncredited)
|
|
| Orville Sherman | ... |
Personnel Clerk (uncredited)
|
|
| Norman Stevans | ... |
Engineer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Jimmy Stiles | ... |
Boy (uncredited)
|
| Herb Vigran | ... |
Dr. Bussart (uncredited)
|
|
| Grant Woods | ... |
Technician (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Gordon Yaeger | ... |
Jet Pack Pilot (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Edward Montagne | ... | (as Edward J. Montagne) |
Written by
| James Fritzell | ... | (written by) (as Jim Fritzell) and |
| Everett Greenbaum | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Edward Montagne | ... | producer (as Edward J. Montagne) |
| Billy Sands | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| Vic Mizzy | ||
Cinematography by
| Rex Wimpy | ... | director of photography (as Rexford Wimpy) |
Editing by
| Sam E. Waxman | ||
Art Direction by
| William D. DeCinces | ||
| Alexander Golitzen | ||
Set Decoration by
| John P. Austin | ... | (as John Austin) |
| John McCarthy Jr. | ... | (as John McCarthy) |
Costume Design by
| Rosemary Odell | ||
Makeup Department
| Hank Edds | ... | makeup artist |
| Larry Germain | ... | hair stylist |
| Bud Westmore | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Edward Muhl | ... | in charge of production |
| Wes Thompson | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Phil Bowles | ... | assistant director |
| James Welch | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Robert George Freer | ... | leadman |
| William Nunley | ... | props (as Bill Nunley) |
Sound Department
| Earl Crain Sr. | ... | sound (as Earl N. Crain Sr.) |
| William Schwartz | ... | sound |
| Waldon O. Watson | ... | sound |
| James V. Swartz | ... | sound (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| George Brown | ... | special effects |
Visual Effects by
| Albert Whitlock | ... | matte supervisor |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jack Harris | ... | still photographer |
| John Hovanesak | ... | best boy |
| Earl Kennedy | ... | gaffer |
| Dean Paup | ... | grip |
| Joe Riggio | ... | grip |
Music Department
| Joseph Gershenson | ... | music supervisor |
| Ethmer Roten | ... | musician (uncredited) |
| Tommy Tedesco | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Bob Forrest | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Donald P. Desmond | ... | driver (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Harold Mendelsohn | ... | unit publicist |
| Walter Woodworth | ... | coordinator |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1967) (United States) (theatrical)
- Empire Universal Films (1967) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Rank Film Distributors (1967) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Proprietary (1967) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Corporation of Far East (1967) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2003) (United States) (DVD) (Comedy Don Knotts Classics)
- NBC Universal Television Distribution (2011) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2018) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2018) (United States) (DVD)
- Shout! Factory (2021) (United States) (Blu-ray) (Don Knotts 5-Film Collection)
- Castle Films (1973) (United States) (8mm & 16mm 7 minute B&W excerpt for home use.)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Cinematique (cosmetics)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Pacific Title (titles)
- Percepto Records (score album released by)
- Westrex Recording System (sound recording system)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by Teresa E Tutt |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Boldly going where no coward has gone before. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $1,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to Don Knotts's autobiography, the idea of the film originated during the writing of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966). Knotts and screenwriter James Fritzell were in a tall building writing the script, but Fritzell's partner, Everett Greenbaum, wouldn't join them because of his fear of heights. Knotts and Fritzell then began joking about the worst job to have if one was scared of heights. Being an astronaut was the top choice. See more » |
| Goofs | Roy is said to be an only child, but he has four nieces. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Five Miles High (1969). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Space Song See more » |
| Quotes |
Donelli:
[hands Roy a broom]
Here you are. Now in the mornings you sweep all locker area and boiler room. In the afternoons, you wet down and mop. Now the top of the lockers should be kept - clean at all times. They'll be inspected by me personally daily at 1700 hours. Now in the morning when you... Roy Fleming: Excuse me sir, uh, is this all sorta like, uh, part of the training program? Donelli: What training program? Roy Fleming: You know... whoosh! [imitates a rocket] Roy Fleming: Space. Donelli: This is your space: from there, to there, and I expect you to keep it clean Fleming! Now then... Roy Fleming: You mean, I-I-I'm a, I'm a janitor? Donelli: [laughs] Why of course not! My boy, you are a WB-1074 *apprentice* janitor. See more » |