The Reluctant Astronaut

1967
Approved
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

2.8K

YOUR RATING

Don Knotts in The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)

Play trailer2:06

1 Video

21 Photos

Space Sci-Fi Comedy Family Sci-Fi

A NASA janitor is sent into space.A NASA janitor is sent into space.A NASA janitor is sent into space.

Director
- Edward Montagne
Writers
- James Fritzell
- Everett Greenbaum
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

2.8K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Edward Montagne
Writers
- James Fritzell
- Everett Greenbaum
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Top cast63

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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

Budd Albright

Officer
(uncredited)

Thomas Bellin

Technician
(uncredited)

Marjorie Bennett

Woman at Mailbox
(uncredited)

Jim Boles

Bartender
(uncredited)

Paul Bradley

Engineer
(uncredited)

Director
- Edward Montagne
Writers
- James Fritzell
- Everett Greenbaum
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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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.

Goofs
Roy is said to be an only child, but he has four nieces.

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.

Connections
Featured in L'homme de fer: Five Miles High (1969)

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

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.