This was undoubtedly the first film to explore the comedic possibilities of the atomic bomb--and in all honesty, it does have a few sporadic laughs. The set-up is beyond absurd, as wandering buddies Blix and Stan (Mickey Rooney and Robert Strauss) stumble across an atomic testing site in the Nevada deserts. Stan makes it into the army's trenches (I'd love to know why it was thought necessary to expose battalions of troops to these tests) but Blix is left behind to survive the explosion, most likely thanks to his peanut butter, sardine, and horseradish sandwich. After being rescued by the site crew, he develops all sorts of special powers and gets to lock lips with nurse Audrey (Mrs. Mickey Rooney number 4, Elaine Devry). Meanwhile Stan tries to parlay his friend's newfound fame into a fortune via a book and corporate endorsements. Blake Edwards' screenplay is fluffy nonsense, but The Atomic Kid is quite well shot and features some enjoyable footage of the Las Vegas of old. Strauss is excellent as the grasping but loyal Stan, and the supporting cast--including Whit Bissell and Bill Goodwin--first rate.
Review of The Atomic Kid
