Way...Way Out
Encyclopedia
Way...Way Out is a 1966
American film comedy starring Jerry Lewis
and released by 20th Century Fox
on October 21, 1966.
) and Schmidlap (Howard Morris
), are suffering the effects of their long stay in space and need to be relieved, as Schmidlap regularly ties up Hoffman and has even knocked out his two front teeth. The sex-starved Schmidlap sits around drawing lewd pictures of naked women, prompting Hoffman to lament, "If only I could get him to go back to divinity school!"
Mr. Quonset (Robert Morley
) is the head of NAWA and is only interested in the organization's image with the public. Since the situation with Hoffman and Schmidlap threatens to become an embarrassment to NAWA, he just wants the next team sent to the moon to be a married couple rather than two males.
Peter Mattemore (Jerry Lewis
) is an astronaut who has been at NAWA for many years without having flown a mission. He is the only astronaut eligible for the mission, but unfortunately he is not married. He is, however, "practically engaged" to a waitress named Stella Mary.
Mr. Quonset informs him that he must be married within three days to a qualified astronaut. He tries to persuade fellow astronaut Eileen Forbes (Connie Stevens
), who also has never been on a mission, to marry him, but she does not want to be rushed into marriage. She wants very much to be part of this one, but she is reluctant to go just as a means of fulfilling Mattemore's "masculine needs." Finally, Eileen agrees to marry Mattemore but insists that they be married in name only. At first Mattemore rejects the idea, stating that he would soon be crazier than Schmidlap, but after a few moments' reflection he realizes that he would rather go to the moon with Eileen under her prescribed conditions than with anyone else. The union is made official only forty-five seconds before launch.
When they arrive on the moon, they discover that there are two Russians living nearby at a Soviet lunar station. The Russians, Anna Soblova (Anita Ekberg
) and Igor Baklenikov (Dick Shawn
) are suspected of trying to sabotage the U.S. space station, but they are soon vindicated.
Anna then tricks Igor into marrying her by declaring she is pregnant. Once they are married she tells him the truth, and the Americans, who are now in love themselves, declare their intentions to have a "moon baby". As the film ends a race is on between the two couples to see who will be parents first.
The narrator is John "Shorty" Powers
, who had been NASA
's mission commentator for Project Mercury
.
The title song is performed by Gary Lewis & the Playboys
led by Lewis' son, Gary.
Brian Keith
has a cameo as General "Howling Bull" Hallenby.
1966 in film
The year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
American film comedy starring Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
and released by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
on October 21, 1966.
Plot
The year is 1989, and the United States decides to send a married couple to live on the moon and operate a U.S. weather station. The two astronauts currently manning the station, Hoffman (Dennis WeaverDennis Weaver
William Dennis Weaver was an American actor, best known for his work in television, including roles on Gunsmoke, as Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud, and the 1971 TV movie Duel....
) and Schmidlap (Howard Morris
Howard Morris
Howard Morris was an American comic actor and director who was best known for his role as Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show.- Life and career :...
), are suffering the effects of their long stay in space and need to be relieved, as Schmidlap regularly ties up Hoffman and has even knocked out his two front teeth. The sex-starved Schmidlap sits around drawing lewd pictures of naked women, prompting Hoffman to lament, "If only I could get him to go back to divinity school!"
Mr. Quonset (Robert Morley
Robert Morley
Robert Adolph Wilton Morley, CBE was an English actor who, often in supporting roles, was usually cast as a pompous English gentleman representing the Establishment...
) is the head of NAWA and is only interested in the organization's image with the public. Since the situation with Hoffman and Schmidlap threatens to become an embarrassment to NAWA, he just wants the next team sent to the moon to be a married couple rather than two males.
Peter Mattemore (Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
) is an astronaut who has been at NAWA for many years without having flown a mission. He is the only astronaut eligible for the mission, but unfortunately he is not married. He is, however, "practically engaged" to a waitress named Stella Mary.
Mr. Quonset informs him that he must be married within three days to a qualified astronaut. He tries to persuade fellow astronaut Eileen Forbes (Connie Stevens
Connie Stevens
Connie Stevens is an American actress and singer, best known for her roles in the television series Hawaiian Eye and other TV and film work.-Early life:...
), who also has never been on a mission, to marry him, but she does not want to be rushed into marriage. She wants very much to be part of this one, but she is reluctant to go just as a means of fulfilling Mattemore's "masculine needs." Finally, Eileen agrees to marry Mattemore but insists that they be married in name only. At first Mattemore rejects the idea, stating that he would soon be crazier than Schmidlap, but after a few moments' reflection he realizes that he would rather go to the moon with Eileen under her prescribed conditions than with anyone else. The union is made official only forty-five seconds before launch.
When they arrive on the moon, they discover that there are two Russians living nearby at a Soviet lunar station. The Russians, Anna Soblova (Anita Ekberg
Anita Ekberg
Kerstin Anita Marianne Ekberg is a Swedish model, actress and cult sex symbol. She is best known for her role as Sylvia in the 1960 Federico Fellini film La Dolce Vita which features the legendary scene of her cavorting in Trevi Fountain alongside Marcello Mastroianni.-Biography:Ekberg was born in...
) and Igor Baklenikov (Dick Shawn
Dick Shawn
Dick Shawn was an American actor and comedian.-Early life and career:Shawn was born as Richard Schulefand in Buffalo, New York. He played Sylvester Marcus, son of Mrs. Marcus , in Stanley Kramer's It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and Lorenzo St...
) are suspected of trying to sabotage the U.S. space station, but they are soon vindicated.
Anna then tricks Igor into marrying her by declaring she is pregnant. Once they are married she tells him the truth, and the Americans, who are now in love themselves, declare their intentions to have a "moon baby". As the film ends a race is on between the two couples to see who will be parents first.
Production
Way...Way Out was filmed from January 24-March 30, 1966.The narrator is John "Shorty" Powers
John A. Powers
John Anthony Powers , better known as Shorty Powers, was an American public affairs officer for NASA from 1959 to 1963 during Project Mercury...
, who had been NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's mission commentator for Project Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
.
The title song is performed by Gary Lewis & the Playboys
Gary Lewis & the Playboys
Gary Lewis & the Playboys were a 1960s rock group fronted by Gary Lewis, son of comedian Jerry Lewis. They are best known for their 1965 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "This Diamond Ring."-Original members:* Gary Lewis - Drums and vocals...
led by Lewis' son, Gary.
Brian Keith
Brian Keith
Brian Keith was an American film, television, and stage actor who in his four decade-long career gained recognition for his work in movies such as the 1961 Disney family film The Parent Trap, the 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, and the 1975 adventure saga The Wind and...
has a cameo as General "Howling Bull" Hallenby.