The Reluctant Astronaut

1967
U
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

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 Ironside: Five Miles High (1969)

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

Typical Don Knotts humor though The Ghost and Mr. Chicken was by far a better film. Thin, dated, but clean comedy that might be enjoyed by younger kids, or adults who are nostalgic for that type of 60's genre. Very much reminiscent of the Disney comedies churned out in the 60's. Don Knotts plays a kiddieland "Astronaut" who applies to NASA. He is hired, not as an Astronaut as his family thinks, but a janitor.

To show up the Russians and show off American technology NASA decides to put someone in space who is totally unqualified. Naturally our hero gets the call with at first disastrous results. Not much action and storyline and as usual Knotts' love interest is mismatched. The film might seem like a breath of fresh air to parents considering what Hollywood often exposes us to these days. But contemporary kids will probably have a hard time sitting through The Reluctant Astronaut since there is no chase scenes, violence, sex, and foul language.