The Best Atomic Horror
What's a better way to kick off the fall than by watching films that will prepare you for the impending nuclear winter! Here is my list of the best atomic horror that are sure to make you laugh at the ridiculous (yet still pretty impressive) practical effects of the 50s or send you into an existential spiral over the fate of the world post the invention of weapons of mass destruction.
(To learn more about the history of Atomic Horror listen to Lunatic Radio Hour episodes 208, 209, and 210)
Godzilla (1954): I told several people about this list and the first word out of their mouths was always: Godzilla. These movies (there are now 38 Godzilla movies) have stood the test of time and are so intertwined with the topic of nuclear testing and the atomic bomb that its hard to think about one without the other (I'm sure Oppenheimer pondered Godzilla a lot in his final moments). The original Godzilla follows a giant sea creature who begins to attack humans after being disturbed by underwater hydrogen bomb testing. And can you really blame him? To quote one of my favorite songs of all time (Godzilla by Blue Öyster Cult) "History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men."
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953): If there is anything I have learned from this movie (and and Godzilla) it’s that we really have to stop testing atomic weapons if only for the sole purpose of avoiding a Kaiju situation. These dinosaurs are put into quite a bad mood after being woken up by bombs being dropped into their habitats. The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms follows the chaos that is unleashed after atomic bomb testing thaws a prehistoric creature from the ice it has been trapped in for millions of years. It may be sacrilege to say, but I would recommend this over Godzilla just for the scene where the creature is taken out by the Coney Island Cyclone.
The Hills Have Eyes (1977): It seems that most movies, cartoons, and comics want us to believe that exposure to nucelar radiation grants people amazing abilities and superhero alter egos. The Hills Have Eyes, however, takes a different approach. Instead of glorifying the effects of radiation poisoning, it depicts a family whose exposure to a nuclear testing site results in some pretty terrifying offspring. If your child wants to play around in dangerous chemicals in an attempt to become the hulk maybe show them this instead and tell them it’s far more likely they’ll become Pluto.
*Please do not show your child this movie. Please do not show anyone this movie.*
Them! (1954): In all honesty this movie is just fun. Them! follows a group of police, military personnel, and scientists as they try to deal with the latest consequence of radiation: giant, murderous ants. Keeping on theme, this film does explore some of the possible darker implications of life post nuclear testing. However, it more importantly shows you how much cooler and badass (though they are already pretty awesome) ants would be if they were freaking huge!
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951): While not explicitly a horror film, The Day the Earth Stood Still is a commentary on the horrifying implications that came with the invention of the atomic bomb. In the film an alien by the name of Klaatu warns the people of Earth that other planets are growing worried about their aggression now that they have atomic power. He offers the human race a choice: either stay peaceful or risk total annihilation. In reality we're left with the same choice, but I think we could do with a benevolent alien and his robot companion stepping in to really drive the point home.
