The Right Stuff

Honorable mention: Sam Shepard's presence is as good as it gets. Mary Jo Deschanel and Ed Harris share a great scene over the phone. Quaid brings the grin, Glenn brings the grit.

25: After Yeager breaks the sound barrier he howls at the moon. Someone at the bar mentions every hot shot pilot is heading for Edwards Air Force Base. Pilots and their wives arrive at the base. The birth of something new.

45: Lyndon Johnson and Eisenhower in a board room discuss the Russians and their space program. Discovery issues include footage of Russians, talk about good and evil, "our Germans are better than their Germans" and they agree to launch a pod with a spaceman inside. They view footage of surfers, race car drivers, acrobats, and choose test pilots. Now that I'm aware.

60: Test pilots arrive at a clinic to begin secret and grueling tests to determine who will become the first US astronauts. There's no going back now.

-45: Glenn and his wife Annie tell VP Lyndon Johnson he can't enter their home for the networks and coverage. When Glenn's threatened the other astronauts back him up. Johnson learns he can't enter the home and he pounds the car: "Isn't there anybody who can deal with a housewife?" Discovery.

-25: Glenn hums a song as his capsule is engulfed in flames as it descends to earth. There's a communications blackout as people wait to see if he lives. Cut to a ticker tape parade in nyc with Glenn and Kay sitting beside Johnson. The final turning point.