The Astronaut (1972)
An elaborate deception emerges when an American astronaut is lost on a mission to Mars. Space agency officials fearful of losing public support and government funding decide to cover up the accident by employing an exact double for the lost astronaut. The ruse begins to unravel when the wife of the lost astronaut realizes she is living with a different man. Although angered by the deception, the woman has fallen in love with the replacement and plans to keep the secret. They both have a change of heart and decide to reveal the secret when they discover a new Mars mission is underway.
Director: Robert Michael Lewis
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Jackie Cooper as Kurt Anderson |
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Monte Markham as Eddie Reese / Col. Brice Randolph |
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Richard Anderson as Dr. Wylie |
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Robert Lansing as John Phillips |
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Susan Clark as Gail Randolph |
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John Lupton as Don Masters |
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Walter Brooke as Tom Everett |
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James B. Sikking as Astronaut Higgins |
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Paul Kent as Carl Samuels |
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Loretta Leversee as Toni Scott |
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Ray Dimas as Freddie |
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Patsy Garrett as Boy's Mother |
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Tom Hallick as Agent Wilson |
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John S. Ragin as Walters |
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Paul Micale as Beachgoer |
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Richard Stahl as Fred, Beachgoer's Friend |
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Bob Harks as Photographer (uncredited) |
| Writing | Robert Biheller | Teleplay |
| Directing | Robert Michael Lewis | Director |
| Writing | Charles Kuenstle | Story |
| Writing | Robert Biheller | Story |
| Writing | Gerald Di Pego | Teleplay |
| Writing | Charles Kuenstle | Teleplay |
| Crew | Alric Edens | Cinematography |
| Editing | Les Green | Editor |
| Directing | Robert Saunders | Assistant Director |
| Art | George C. Webb | Art Direction |
| Crew | Bob Harks | Stand In |
| Production | Harve Bennett | Producer |
| Sound | Gil Mellé | Original Music Composer |
| Editing | John Kaufman | Editor |