Word: astronautical
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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With all the publicity generated by the new movie The Right Stuff, perhaps the presidential candidacy of the Ohio Senator and former astronaut ought to be in some kind of celestial orbit. In reality, down-to-earth problems seem to be causing the John Glenn campaign to sputter. The latest sign of trouble: a major shake-up of Glenn's staff that reflects serious problems within the Senator's campaign effort...
...disappointment, when her husband's first mission ends imperfectly. "Does this mean no Jackie?" she asks despondently, alluding to Louise Shepard's (Kathy Basker) visit with the First Lady. And Trudy Cooper (Pamela Reed) accepts her husband's immaturity and possible indiscretions with an eloquent passivity that questions an astronaut's image. Each performances is as fine as the next, though one wishes the movie spent more time with the wives than it does with some of its minor characters...
HERO JOHN GLENN could be the next President of the United States, but relative unknown Chuck Yeager should be. That is the true message of The Right Stuff--a message missed by those who think that the film will do more for the former astronaut's Oval Office ambitions than the rather uninspiring candidate himself...
...cabinet meeting where President Eisenhower and congressional leaders learn about the Soviet flight into space, the politicians debate over what Americans would make the best astronaut. Two advisors run through a checklist of daredevils and stuntmen-trapeze artists, hang-gliders, human cannonballs-as the best people to launch into the atmosphere. The implication is that such a person is not-as our hindsight a freak. It is for public relations reasons, not need of certain skills, that Eisenhower finally demands, "I want test pilots...
Yeager's view that a real pilot was above astronaut work proved deadly accurate. The highly competitive Mercury VII crew ceased their infighting over which of them would be first in space only when it become apparent that none of them but a monkey instead, would lead the way. It is almost sad to watch the seven proud pilots ultimately realize that their work required little skill beyond stamina, and to demand technical modifications giving them more control-necessary only for their pride not for the mission...