The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff is a 1983 film which tells the true story of the first seven astronauts selected for the NASA space program. It stars Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn[?], Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid[?], Fred Ward[?], Barbara Hershey[?], Kim Stanley, Veronica Cartwright[?] and Pamela Reed[?].

The movie was adapted by Philip Kaufman[?] from the 1979 book by Tom Wolfe, with contributions from screenwriter William Goldman. It was directed by Kaufman.

It won Academy Awards for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing[?], Best Film Editing, Best Music, Original Score and Best Sound. It was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Sam Shepard), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography and Best Picture.

At the time that The Right Stuff came out, former astronaut and current Senator John Glenn was running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. It was felt that the movie might help his chances, but in fact, his candidacy did not go far. In fact, many said, not-so-jokingly, after having seen Sam Shepard's performance, "Forget John Glenn, I want Chuck Yeager for President."