Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979)

An astronaut and his android double travel back to the time of King Arthur.

Director:

Russ Mayberry

Writers:

Don Tait (screen story), Don Tait (screenplay)

Stars:

Dennis Dugan, Jim Dale, Ron Moody

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dennis Dugan	...	Tom Trimble
Jim Dale	...	Sir Mordred
Ron Moody	...	Merlin
Kenneth More	...	King Arthur
John Le Mesurier	...	Sir Gawain (as John le Mesurier)
Rodney Bewes	...	Clarence
Sheila White	...	Alisande
Robert Beatty	...	Senator Milburn
Cyril Shaps	...	Dr. Zimmerman
Kevin Brennan	...	Winston
Ewen Solon	...	Watkins
Pat Roach	...	Oaf
Reg Lye	...	Prisoner

Storyline

A NASA spacecraft proves Einstein right when, traveling faster than light, it ends up near King Arthur's Camelot. On board are big-hearted Tom Trimble and Hermes, the look-alike robot he built. Tom immediately makes friends with pretty Alisande and enemies with the awful knight Sir Mordred. It seems Mordred is out to oust Arthur, while Alisande's father is not the goose she believes him to be but is also a victim of Mordred's schemes. It's as well the Americans have arrived.

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Plot Keywords:

time travel | time travel into the past | reference to a connecticut yankee in king arthur's court | backwards time travel | accidental time travel | 

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Taglines:

A sixth century space adventure!

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Disney's Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Spaceman in King Arthur's Court

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording) (uncredited)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the American NASA spacecraft was "Stardust".

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Goofs

When Tom is flying during the battle scene near the end, wires that are holding the jet are clearly visible in several shots.

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Quotes

Clarence: [Waving a US flag] It's from his Uncle Sam!

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: That Nazty Nuisance (2017)

User Reviews

Let's give love to Oddballs!

Tom Trimble (Dennis Dugan) is an oddball scientist for NASA. Very clever but somewhat clumsy, he builds a robot named Hermes who looks just like him. Its NASA's wish to send Hermes on an experimental flight where, if all goes as planned, the rocket will travel faster than light and go back to the days of Camelot. However, as Tom is readying Hermes for the journey, the rocket blasts off and both of them go back in time. Once there, a pretty maid name Alisande takes Tom to see King Arthur while Hermes stays with the ship. Mordred (Jim Dale) takes an instant disliking to Tom but the young scientist captivates the King with tales of the history of the world, including his own time period. However, after a long listen, the King sends him to the dungeon anyway. It'll be up to Hermes to rescue Tom and change the King's view in their favor. In addition, can Alisande truly prefer Hermes to Tom himself? This funny take on Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a pleasure to watch. Dugan is quite a charming and kooky performer and rest of the cast is great. Kids and families will love the re- created Camelot's scenery and costumes as well as the new gadgets Tom brings with him. No, its not the greatest thing since sliced bread but it is bound to bring smiles to young and old faces!