The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)

The Reluctant Astronaut (1967)

All the adventure a man can live, he lives. 1967-09-05 United States of America 101 Min. PG-13
5.964 42 votes
Comedy, Family, Science Fiction

Overview

Roy Fleming is 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 as 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 layperson into space to prove the worthiness of a new automated spacecraft, Roy gets the chance to confront his fears.

Cast

Don Knotts is Roy Fleming
Roy Fleming
Leslie Nielsen is Major Fred Gifford
Major Fred Gifford
Joan Freeman is Ellie Jackson
Ellie Jackson
Jesse White is Donelli
Donelli
Jeanette Nolan is Mrs. Fleming
Mrs. Fleming
Arthur O'Connell is Arbuckle
Arbuckle "Buck" Fleming
Joan Shawlee is Blonde in Bar
Blonde in Bar
Nydia Westman is Aunt Zana
Aunt Zana
Robert F. Simon is Cervantes
Cervantes
Bill Quinn is Captain Ferguson
Captain Ferguson
Marjorie Bennett is Sweetwater Citizen at Mailbox
Sweetwater Citizen at Mailbox
Herb Vigran is NASA Doctor
NASA Doctor
Paul Bryar is First Bus Driver (uncredited)
First Bus Driver (uncredited)