The Atomic Cafe (1982)

Disturbing collection of 1940s and 1950s United States government issued propaganda films designed to reassure Americans that the atomic bomb was not a threat to their safety.

Directors:

Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty,

Stars:

Paul Tibbets, Harry S. Truman, W.H.P. Blandy

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Tibbets	...	Himself (archive footage)
Harry S. Truman	...	Himself (archive footage) (as President Harry S Truman)
W.H.P. Blandy	...	Himself - Commander of the Bikini Test (archive footage) (as Vice Admiral W.H.P. Blandy)
Brien McMahon	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Sen. Brian McMahon)
Lloyd Bentsen	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Rep. Lloyd Bentsen)
Owen Brewster	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Sen. Owen Brewster)
Julius Rosenberg	...	Himself (archive footage)
Ethel Rosenberg	...	Herself (archive footage)
Val Peterson	...	Himself - Director of Civil Defense (archive footage) (as Gov. Val Peterson)
Lyndon Johnson	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson)
Lewis Strauss	...	Himself - Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (archive footage) (as Lewis L. Strauss)
George Molan	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Cpl. George Molan)
George Portell	...	Himself (archive footage) (as Tech Sgt. George Portell)
Jerry Schneider	...	Himself (archive footage)
Sergeant Weaver	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

A compilation of 1960's films about what to do in case of a Nuclear attack and the effects of radiation, also footage of troop tests of the exposure to an atomic bomb.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | propaganda | government | training film | atomic bomb | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Up Close and Personal with Producer Jayne Loader

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1982 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Atomic Cafe

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Archives Project

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filmmakers wanted to make a movie that would foster "a healthy skepticism about official voices of reassurance" on the subject of the atomic bomb and nuclear warfare.

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Quotes

Army information film: When not close enough to be killed, the atomic bomb is one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

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Connections

Featured in The Butcher Boy (1997)

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Soundtracks

"Rosza Conducts Rosza"
-- "Theme from 'Brute Force'" and "Theme from 'The Killers'"
Performed by Miklós Rózsa (as Miklos Rosza) conducting the Frankenland State Symphony
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Duck And Cover Everyone!

With no narration other than that provided by historical clips, this movie justly states how ludicrous the idea of nuclear war was, and is. The producers of this film spent years going through declassified governmental film archives to find some of the most chilling, and hilarious, footage ever taken. It also tells how the US government screwed over the Bikini Islanders, and has some fine coverage of the spoon-feeding of propaganda to the US public through the 40's and 50's.

A great movie for just a laugh, or for some interesting historical perspective on a unique time in the recent US past. I loved the clip of the guy who invented a lead-lined suit, put it on his son, and then had him try to ride a bike. Could we have possibly been this gullible just a few decades ago? Can you say "duct tape and plastic sheeting"?

Duck and cover everyone!