MovieChat Forums > The Reluctant Astronaut (1968) Discussion > I reluctantly have a few questions.

I reluctantly have a few questions.


#1.} Was Burt Lancaster afraid of water? Roy's mom mentioned this.

#2.} Arbuckle called out "Column, left march!" What does column mean here?

#3.) HOW did Roy's family / friends NEVER see him not get on the plane / jet?

#4.} Did I see an error in continuity? To ME, it looks like, when Roy accidentally opened the door to the centrifuge, & his clothes were blown through the hallway. When we first see the secretary holding his shorts, her hair is fine, & she is smiling. The NEXT shot, though, her hair is a MESS, and she is furious!

#5.} Mr. Donatelli: "My father's son? You mean your brother?" Roy: "No, he's an only child." Ummm...how did Roy have nieces when he's an only child?

#6.} What does "Pass in review!" mean?

#7.} What is the origin of "Wiser than the Kaiser"?

#8.} Why was Mr. Donatelli at the rescue? {The Rocket Sled ejection rescue}



Eight divided by one-half equals four squared!

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1)Lancaster had just recently appeared in a film called THE SWIMMER so I figure this was an "in" joke.
3) I assume they just went back to the terminal and didn't bother to watch him actually walk up the steps and enter the plane. Why would anyone think he WOULDN'T get on the plane?
6)
"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

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1.) Ah. An inside joke. That clears THAT one up.

3.) That makes sense. Thank you.

6.) {Did you mean to answer this one and forget? Or did you start to answer it, and press <ENTER> before finishing? What happened to your answer for #6?

Thank you for your thoughts on numbers 1 and 3.



Eight divided by one-half equals four squared!

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His comment is "person review" not "pass in review" and refers to when soldiers would stand at attention indicating they were ready for their drill sergeant to check their uniforms, racks, etc. As far as Donelli being at the rocket sled incident, he was probably just looking for Don and when the sled incident happened he figured it was him. Some things you just have to overlook.

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2. It is an American military drill command. It refers to a column of troops on the march. The British version of "Column Left March" would be "Left Wheel".

6. It is an American military drill command to march a formation of troops past a reviewing officer. The British term for this is "March Past".

7. Google indicates that this is from an American WWI song "Uncle Sam is Wiser Than the Kaiser".

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Thank you VERY much for the information, Dave! 

Eight divided by one-half equals four squared!

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You're welcome!

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Mr. Donatelli: "My father's son? You mean your brother?" Roy: "No, he's an only child." Ummm...how did Roy have nieces when he's an only child?

I caught this one, too!

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So did I, if it wasn't a mistake it is possible that they have a close friend they think of as family and the children were raised calling Roy their "uncle". Whenever our family gets together I am called "aunt" by kids I barely know.

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