Atomic City

A GLIMPSE OF REAL HISTORY
One of the joys of watching old movies particularly those shot on location is that the viewer sees a place, an environment as it was. Such is the case with "Atomic City" starring Gene Barry and Lee Aaker and directed by Jerry Hopper. It was made in 1952 and largely filmed in New Mexico's Santa Fe and Los Alamos regions. It hit the screens while America was still reeling from the shock that the Cold War was real and Communist spies had actually infiltrated the labs at Los Alamos. In fact two American civilians, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were awaiting execution the following year after being convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage during a time of war. Writer Sydney Boehm's story is simple. The young son of a Los Alamos nuclear scientist is kidnapped and the ransom demand is the design of the H-bomb. The 85 minute production is entertaining but its real quality lies in the actual locations such as the famous La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe, the shops of that period and of course Los...

The Atomic City
"The Atomic City" made in 1952, is an interesting tale about what can happen
in real life and no doubt was a controversial issue in its day.

The story takes place in Los Alamos, New Mexico, at the maximum-security
nuclear-weapons research centre and involves top atomic scientist Dr. Frank
Addison (Gene Barry), his wife Martha (Lydia Clarke) and his young son
Tommy (Lee Aaker).

Disaster strikes when Tommy is kidnapped and is held in exchange for atomic
secrets by enemy agents. It shows the anguish that the parents are put
through and the devious methods that the kidnappers use to obtain these
secrets, including killing the boy if they fail to get what they want.

The parents reluctantly hand the case over to the FBI but to them National
Security is top priority. Apprehending the extortionists comes first and saving
the boy is further down the list. To the parents, it is saving the boy first and...

Was nominated for an Academy Award - Best Writing, Story and Screenplay
Here is a much lesser known 50's sci-fi with a little different twist. An atomic researchers son is kidnapped and held for a ransom of the the Father's atomic secrets.

This is a tightly knit atomic sci-fi thriller with great production values and above average acting, even from the kid. The Atomic City actually has a movie feel to it unlike a lot of other 50's sci-fi of this time which which came off more like an episode of a TV show.

The Atomic City was also actually nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay - how many other 50's sci-fi can tout an Academy Award Nomination?

Great pacing, tight direction and some superb location filming in the 'real' Atomic City of Los Alamos, New Mexico make this one worth hunting down. The collectors print in circulation is an above average transfer and makes for a great double feature with the Atomic Man!!

Recommended

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