"TIME OF DISASTER" 1954 CIVIL DEFENSE / ATOMIC ATTACK PREPAREDNESS FILM 28042

Released in 1954 and later recalled by the U.S. Government, "Time of Disaster" is a classic Cold War film that was intended to awaken the American public to their responsibilities in a moment of disaster -- be it from a tornado, hurricane, earthquake -- or an atomic bomb. According to an excerpt from a civil defense newsletter, film explains “the responsibilities of the Federal Civil Defense Administration and other groups in wresting from natural disasters part of the toll it would normally take.” The film's undercurrent is that while weather catastrophes and everyday emergencies may occur, what is really scary and what we really need to prepare for -- is a surprise attack by a foreign power may be just as likely to occur.
The film focuses on a town “anywhere in the United States”, which has just fallen victim to an unspecified natural disaster. Fortunately, this place has implemented a thorough civil defense plan, and while the town is reduced to rubble, rescue workers quickly scramble to restore order.
The closing moments of the film feature an atomic bomb explosion as the narrator remarks of the burst, "this time of disaster all of us hope never comes but should this disaster ever strike, our chances of survival will be all the greater through civil defense training and preparation!"
Although the film deals almost exclusively with natural disasters, it was deemed obsolete by 1965 when the Office of Civil Defense was promoting protection from fallout radiation above all else. Government copies of the film were recalled and private owners were encouraged to cease screenings.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@ElleCee62978]

Why do I enjoy these so much?

[@theyazzledazzle]

I've been watching them for weeks now. Addicting.

[@ElleCee62978]

@@theyazzledazzle My life has gone to hell and yet I’m dreaming of nuclear war.

[@kellyvaters1689]

A) A sense of danger, b) a sense of urgency, and c) the emphasis that one _can_ survive it. How much more competent one might feel in knowing what to do in an emergency and in having all one's ducks in a row in case anything should happen?

[@ElleCee62978]

@@kellyvaters1689 I think - in my case at least - is that I was a late Cold War kid. I think nuclear war is coming.

[@Gov_ofmozelland]

0:41 disaster at any time , because this a serious civil defense drill

[@64curarine]

At 8:00 is rare film version of the Operation Ivy "Mike" shot.

[@conradsieber7883]

At least no one watching this would worry or feel panicked.

[@franstein8553]

What bullshit! And we were so naive then.

[@MrScottie68]

Perhaps some of the footage is theatrical but being prepared, which the film is trying to highlight, is never bullshit.

[@michaelbolton2741]

@@MrScottie68Indeed, especially now.