Friday, May 27, 2016

#FlashbackFriday // Flight of the Navigator



Flight of the Navigator, is a film about an 12-year-old Florida boy, Joey Cramer, who ends up on a spaceship and travels 8 years into the future, while he remains the same age. He ends up in the hands of NASA and with the help of a NASA intern, his brother and the ship's robotic commander called "Max" (voiced by Paul Reubens aka Pee-wee Herman), Joey figures out how he ended up where he is and how to get back.

This was one of those movies I watched any time it was on while growing up, yet I barely remembered a thing until I rewatched it the other day. One thing I do remember? "Max" mimicking Joey saying "I'm the Navigator, I'm the Navigator!" I didn't even remember Sarah Jessica Parker being in it.

So where is everyone from Navigator now?


Joey Cramer, who played lead character, David Freeman (center), had just a few roles before and after Flight of the Navigator including portraying Tom Selleck’s son in Runaway and a two episode stint on Murder, She Wrote. He seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth until a fan spotted him working at a Source for Sports store in British Columbia (left) in 2009. Then in 2011 it was reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were looking for a Deleriyes Cramer who had seven warrants out for him. This was none other than Joey (right) who went by several other aliases including Joe Deleriyes and Joe Leighland. Allegedly he committed several check and fraud related crimes. And just earlier this month he was charged with "robbery, disguise with the intent to commit an indictable offense, failing to stop for a peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle" in a Canadian bank robbery.

Howard Hesseman is probably best known as Dr. Johnny Fever in WKRP in Cincinnati but to me he’ll always be "cool teacher" Charlie Moore, from Head of the Class aka the TV show with one of the best opening theme songs.  He was also a founding member of the San Francisco-based improvisational comedy troupe The Committee with fellow actor David Ogden Stiers. Fun fact: David Ogden Stiers appeared throughout the first season of Two Guys and a Girl while Howard guest starred in one episode as Berg's (played by Ryan Reynolds) father. 

In Flight of the Navigator he portrays Dr. Louis Faraday, a NASA scientist who has been studying the spaceship since its arrival. He means well but cares more about the science than the welfare of David. Since "Flight..." Howard, now 76,  has been working steadily in film and television guest appearances including About Schmidt, Psych and ER


Before Veronica Cartwright's role as David's mother, Helen Freeman, she was perhaps best known as young Cathy Brenner in Hitchcock's The Birds. Just like Howard, Helen has been keeping busy in both film and television. She has been nominated for three Emmy's (two for The X-Files and one for ER) and was most recently seen in the Amazon series, Bosch.


Cliff De Young played Bill, Joey's dad who was just kind of there. You might think of the actor himself the same way. With over 130 credits to his name he has one of those faces where you go "Ooo! ooo! I know that guy!" He's guest starred on everything from JAG to The Young and the Restless to Grey's Anatomy and has been in movies such as The Craft and Wild.  


Two actors covered the role of Joey's brother, Jeff. Albie Whitaker played 8-year-old Jeff, his one and only role to date. If this is his LinkedIn profile, then he's doing pretty well for himself. If that's not him, then I just found you a financial advisor to connect with. 

Matt Adler (above, right) played 16-year-old Jeff who helped his older brother out in the future (confusing or no?) by setting off fireworks at their family's home so Joey knew where to fly to after escaping NASA. Since Flight, Matt has been working here and there with a little bit of voice acting. IMDb also notes that he is a close friend and former housemate of George Clooney. Sidenote: I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a little crush on 16-year-old Jeff when I was all of 8 years old or so.  


Last but not least was the surprisingly forgettable (for me), Sarah Jessica Parker, in the role of Carolyn, a NASA intern who not only helps Joey escape, but comes to his parent's house to fill them in on what's going on. You all know Sarah, I don't need to fill you in on her. 

Now go watch Flight of the Navigator.


No comments:

Post a Comment