A cup of jo from the Atomic Cafe

I’m already so excited for this class based on the first movie and reading! The documentary “Atomic Café” was a film rich with information about the era of the atomic bomb. As a film major I loved the style of the film, and the film maker’s ability to narrate through images and clips alone. I absolutely loved the films use of contradicting statements and real clips of the atomic bomb exploding, and the effects the explosions had on the people and society as a whole.


My mom was born in 1950, and I remember her telling me about the bomb scare and having to practice “duck and cover” while in school. When we were watching the film, the clips and images made the whole era seem more real to me. At first I couldn’t believe that the American people were so gullible and able to believe that taking these outrageous measures to be safe from the bomb. As the film when on, and I read the reading assignment, I started to think about how I would react if that were to happen today. I would believe what the government said would keep me safe because I would have no other safety. We are all helpless in eyes of war, but having some hope of safety is what kept everyone going.

Another aspect of both the film and the reading that I found to be very interesting was how upbeat and happy going everyone was suppose to be during this time. The reading talked about how the women were expected to keep the idea of normalcy, and I think that most Americans did this through making light of the situation. Watching smiling faces descend into these bomb shelters was both comical and quite sad to me. Like someone in our last discussion stated, these tactics and bomb fashions became pop culture. I believe that for many having these smiling faces and light way of looking at the war was a way to keep their own peace of mind.

I found the reading to be a great support to the film. I especially found the explanation of the underground school to be particularly amusing. I can’t imagine having these fallout shelters around us today. When I think about the era of the bomb scare, it almost feels like it was a whole different world then. While it may have seemed that way, it really isn’t that much different than our lives today. There is still the threat of war, still the possibility that we could be bombed at any moment, but we live our lives anyways. I think it was really important to watch this film and to read the text provided, not only to show us how things were, but to remind us we are the same as we were then, subject to the protection and trust of our government. I am really looking forward to the other films and reading, not only to learn about our past, but to understand our present.