Unidentified Flying Oddball


Unidentified Flying Oddball is a 1979 film adaptation of Mark Twain's 1889 novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, directed by Russ Mayberry and produced by Walt Disney Productions. Subsequently re-released in the United States under the title A Spaceman in King Arthur’s Court, the film stars Dennis Dugan as NASA employee Tom Trimble who unintentionally travels back in time with his look-alike android Hermes.

Premise

After Trimble’s NASA spacecraft travels faster than the speed of light, it takes him and his android back to King Arthur’s Camelot. They then use their 20th-century technology to help defeat a plot by the evil Sir Mordred and Merlin to oust King Arthur from his throne.

Cast

The film was shot on location and at Pinewood Studios London. Shooting locations included Alnwick Castle in Northumberland.
The spacecraft that was featured in this movie was on display at the Blackgang Chine theme park in the Isle of Wight.

Reception

Variety wrote, "Pic has some good slapstick touches and offers a generous serving of visual tricks and space hardware, though on a par with 'Star Wars' in that department it ain't." Linda Gross of the Los Angeles Times stated, "The film will provide mildly amusing summer fun for those having their first encounter with castles and kings. However, 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court,' 'Knights of the Round Table' and 'Camelot' all captured the vigor of medieval England with more passion." Carla Hall of The Washington Post wrote, "The plot—obviously derived from 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'—has the customary quantum of Disney cuteness as the story unravels predictably. But it takes advantage of the situation for some funny lines." Martyn Auty of The Monthly Film Bulletin stated, "Quintessentially Arthurian locations and resplendent colour quality put this updated version of Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court a cut above its predecessors in the current Disney craze for space-visitor yarns."

Remake

Disney’s A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, likewise based on the aforementioned novel, follows the same premise: a contemporary American male travels back in time to the 6th century and King Arthur’s Camelot, impressing the inhabitants with technology from the distant future. Moody again plays Merlin in the film, on this occasion as a more sympathetic character.