American History

appalachiablue

(44,056 posts) Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:03 PM 3 hrs ago

'Duck and Cover,' Nuclear Attack Civil Defence Film 1952; Lewis Black Comedy Gold

Original TV advert film (1 min). Air Raid drill. 1952 U.S. Defense film, "Duck and Cover," 'Burt the Turtle' teaches schoolchildren how to protect against a nuclear attack. (More below).
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"Duck and Cover" is a method of personal protection against the effects of a nuclear explosion. Ducking and covering is useful in offering a degree of protection to persons located outside the radius of the nuclear fireball but still within sufficient range of the nuclear explosion that standing upright and uncovered is likely to cause serious injury or death..Methods similar, but not identical, to Duck and Cover are also taught as the response to other sudden destructive events such as an earthquake or tornado...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover

Comedy by Lewis Black: Nuclear Holocaust.

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'Duck and Cover,' Nuclear Attack Civil Defence Film 1952; Lewis Black Comedy Gold (Original Post) appalachiablue 3 hrs ago OP

It became famous in 1982 because of its inclusion in "The Atomic Cafe." mahatmakanejeeves 3 hrs ago #1

Thanks, I didn't know about this film.. appalachiablue 3 hrs ago #2

It's on Tubi for free. Totally recommended. mahatmakanejeeves 3 hrs ago #3

Good to know, thanks again! appalachiablue 3 hrs ago #4

Based on the Atomic Cafe trailers, the govt presented a reassuring picture of the deadly appalachiablue 1 hr ago #5

mahatmakanejeeves

(70,007 posts)

1. It became famous in 1982 because of its inclusion in "The Atomic Cafe."

Reply to appalachiablue (Original post)

Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:12 PM

3 hrs ago

The Atomic Cafe

The Atomic Cafe is a 1982 American documentary film directed by Kevin Rafferty, Jayne Loader and Pierce Rafferty. It is a compilation of clips from newsreels, military training films, and other footage produced in the United States early in the Cold War on the subject of nuclear warfare. Without any narration, the footage is edited and presented in a manner to demonstrate how misinformation and propaganda was used by the U.S. government and popular culture to ease fears about nuclear weapons among the American public.

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The Atomic Cafe (1982) TRAILER

MyCenterMovie
11 Likes
2,537 Views
2016 Aug 11
Trailer for The Atomic Cafe.

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.

Studio: Independent
Release: March 17, 1982
Director: Jayne Loader, Kevin Rafferty
Writer: Unknown Or Not Available
Cast: Unknown Or Not Available
...more

MyCenterMovie
1.03K subscribers

The Atomic Cafe (1982) – Re-Release Trailer

Kino Lorber
705 Likes
72,798 Views
2018 Jul 16
This documentary cult classic returns to theaters in a sparkling 4K digital restoration created by IndieCollect starting August 1 at Film Forum in New York.

Armageddon has never been so darkly funny as in The Atomic Cafe. This 1982 cult classic juxtaposes Cold War history, propaganda, music and culture, seamlessly crafted from government-produced educational and training films, newsreels and advertisements. Taken together, these sources cheerily instruct the public on how to live in the Atomic Age, how to survive a nuclear attack (!) ... and how to fight and win a nuclear war. As a U.S. Army training film advises, "Viewed from a safe distance, the atomic bomb is one of the most beautiful sights ever seen by man." Returning to theaters in a sparkling 4K digital restoration created by IndieCollect, The Atomic Cafe is an absurdist blast from the past that would be downright laughable if it weren’t so eerily relevant to our fake news present.
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Kino Lorber
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appalachiablue

(44,056 posts)

2. Thanks, I didn't know about this film..

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #1)

Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:15 PM

3 hrs ago

mahatmakanejeeves

(70,007 posts)

3. It's on Tubi for free. Totally recommended.

Reply to appalachiablue (Reply #2)

Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:35 PM

3 hrs ago

https://watch.plex.tv/movie/the-atomic-cafe

https://tubitv.com/movies/667118

appalachiablue

(44,056 posts)

4. Good to know, thanks again!

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #3)

Wed Apr 8, 2026, 08:37 PM

3 hrs ago

appalachiablue

(44,056 posts)

5. Based on the Atomic Cafe trailers, the govt presented a reassuring picture of the deadly

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #3)

Wed Apr 8, 2026, 10:14 PM

1 hr ago

hazards in line with their positive propaganda message about our security and safety, as intended. The tone of dark humor in some of the film is effective.

Like many I'm relieved yesterday is over. I haven't been so tense since my childhood during the Cuban Missle Crisis of 1962 and later 9/11.

The 1980s era when Atomic Cafe was released seems relatively mild now compared to the problems of today. Take care and keep the faith.

FYI, looks interesting:

Fahrenheit 11/9" - This Is How Fascism Starts - Michael Moore
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221159198

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