Quotes

Dialogue

Reporter: I'm going to place a long distance call to Los Angeles. Air Force Major: [resets the phone] Who are you calling? Reporter: The press! This is big news! The sound barrier's finally been broken! Air Force Major: No, sir, no press! Reporter: What? Air Force Major: No word of this going beyond the flight-line! Reporter: [inserts a coin] Hey, come on, now! This is big news! We need coverage for this! Air Force Major: No, sir, sorry! No press! Those are orders. National security. Reporter: But the war's over! Air Force Major: Well, look, pal. Maybe they don't want someone to know. Reporter: Who? Air Force Major: The Russians, maybe. Reporter: The Russians?! They're our allies! Air Force Major: Well, anyway, somebody wanted it that way. And that's the way it is.

Dialogue

Recruiter #1: [seasick] Are you sure the Navy's got good pilots? Recruiter #2: [also seasick] They call them aviators in the Navy. They say they're better than pilots.

Dialogue

Recruiter #1: I guess you've heard about our project. We're going up against the Russians all the way. It's got the highest... [gags] Recruiter #2: Priority. Recruitrer #1: It's a hazardous undertaking. In fact, it's extremely hazardous, if you get my meaning. Recruiter #2: It's so hazardous, that, if, uh, you decide not to volunteer, it will not be held against you in any way. Alan Shepard: Sounds dangerous. Recruiter #1: It is. Recruiter #2: Very dangerous. Alan Shepard: Count me in.

Dialogue

Reporter 1#: Gentlemen, I'd like to know from each of you whether your wives and children had anything to say about this. Mr. Slayton? Deke Slayton: Uh, mine thinks it's fine. Reporter 2#: Thank you. Mr. Schirra? Wally Schirra: Uh, they're all for it. John Glenn: You know, I don't think any of us could really go on with something like this if we didn't have pretty good backing at home. Really. My wife's attitude toward this has been the same as it's been all along through my flying. If it's what I want to do, she's behind it, and by golly, my kids are too, a hundred percent!

Dialogue

Gordon Cooper: Uh, where are you putting the window? German Scientist #1: Window? There is no window. Gus Grissom: No window? What about the hatch? German Scientist #1: The hatch? Gus Grissom: Yeah, the hatch. We need a hatch with explosive bolts that we can open ourselves. German Scientist #1: I think there is something you do not understand. This is the final form of the capsule. No hatch. Deke Slayton: What if the automatic controls went out? German Scientist #1: Backups, checks, etcetera. This would not happen. Deke Slayton: I said, what would happen if it did? Scott Carpenter: The pilot would have to fly it back. German Scientist #2: This is the way it is. John Glenn: You know, I wonder how the press is going to feel about this. German Scientist #2: The press? What does the press have to say about this? German Scientist #1: Yeah, what do they have to say about it? Gordon Cooper: You boys know what makes this bird go up? Funding makes this bird go up. Gus Grissom: That's right. No

Dialogue

Alan Shepard: Dear Lord - please don't let me fuck up. Gordon Cooper: [at launch control center] I didn't quite copy that. Say again, please. Alan Shepard: Uh, I said everything is A-OK! Gordon Cooper: [amused] Well, I thought that's what you said. [switches channels] He says everything is A-OK!