Atomic Attack (1954)

Reviewed by Jason Lockard

In the 50s there was a fear of nuclear war. Thus there were many movies, TV shows and Public Service Announcements about how to survive a atomic attack. One such film took the air on May of 1954, on The Motorola Television Hour. Now Alpha Video has released this mini film on DVD.

The TV episode follows the Mitchell family. They seem to be a happy go lucky family! All seems well one morning, but when Dad leaves for work and the kids goes to school mom is all alone in the house when suddenly the dreaded alarm goes off and she hears the reports of an atomic attack! Now The Mitchell Family must deal with lose, looters and radioactive fallout!

The film takes place in the house and lends a sense of claustrophobia to the film. The actors bring realism to the film you actually feel your watching a real event! The cast includes; Phyllis Thaxter, probably best known by many as playing Ma Kent in the 1978's Superman the Movie, Robert Keith, known for roles in Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Hour, The Fugitive and many movies including The Wild One and a very young Walter Matthau. 

This TV film was directed by Ralph Nelson, known for directing many great films such as Lilies of the field, Father Goose and one of my favorites the TV and Film versions of Requiem for a Heavyweight.

This DVD includes a really nice looking copy of this hour long TV episode. But in addition there is 2 bonus short films "Operation Doorstop", a civil defense film and "The atom and Biological Science" an Encyclopedia Britannica film.This is an awesome little snapshot of the 50s drama and of the fear most Americans were gripped with!

These films are cautionary tales of what happens when we refuse to live together; all nations and decide to live with hearts full of hatred only wanting to destroy! If you love those disaster films check out this early one! I recommend it for all classic film and TV fans. Head over to Oldies.com and pick up a copy today!   


Mortal Rating: Nothing offensive, scary images
Audiences: Families
Run Time: 1 hours, 12 minutes
DVD Released: 2018
DVD Rating: A