The Reluctant Astronaut ( 1967 )

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.

Top Cast

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

Arbuckle "Buck" Fleming

Joan Shawlee

Blonde in Bar

Guy Raymond

Bert

Nydia Westman

Aunt Zana

Paul Hartman

Rush

Robert F. Simon

Cervantes

Robert Pickering

Moran

Bill Quinn

Captain Ferguson

Melissa Gilbert

Niece

Burt Mustin

Ned

Marjorie Bennett

Sweetwater Citizen at Mailbox

Herb Vigran

NASA Doctor

Paul Bryar

First Bus Driver (uncredited)