The Reluctant Astronaut urban When a young student discovers

When a young student discovers a fascinating and unfinished manuscript about a child lost in the woods

in war and peace

As they travel

It would enhance trade with California and the Orient

Matthau's wife (Maureen Stapleton) discovers that he is fooling around with his secretary

The Reluctant Astronaut urban When a young student discoversKnotts is Royal Fleming, a carnival worker who runs a spaceship ride for kids. Concerned about his future, Royal's dad sends an application to NASA in his son's name! After being accepted, Royal sets out for Florida only to discover his new job involves sweeping floors, not space travel. That is until NASA learns of Russia's plans to put a civilian into orbit and chooses Royal to man its own experimental flight. Summoning his courage, the reluctant