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 documentary took five years to make. Work on the movie began in 1977 with the film being first released in 1982.

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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

Features Paramount News Special: 1947, Year of Division (1947)

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Soundtracks

"Atom Bomb Baby"
Performed by The Five Stars
Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

User Reviews

fascinating

For anyone who enjoys a real sense about times in history that they have not lived through, this is an excellent film. I had no idea how the dawning of the atomic age changed American culture. For an interesting continuance of the paranoid atomic era, check out Bowling for Columbine. Both Atomic Cafe and Bowling for Columbine discuss the "Culture of Fear" that is America.

Some of the content in the Atomic Cafe is completely shocking, which serves its purpose as a poignant exposé into one of the darker periods of America's (if not the world's history). A must see. You'll be glued to the screen. 10/10