Critical studies in communication and in the cultural industries
Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-203) and index.
Introduction: Hollywood and the atomic bomb -- Hollywood meets the A-bomb -- A theoretical perspective -- Hollywood moviemaking -- An analysis of atomic films -- pt. 1: Hollywood after the bomb -- Hollywood production contexts: 1945-1953 -- MGM and the atomic bomb: The beginning or the end? (1947) -- Creative license and historic fact -- The image of the scientist -- Images of atomic technology -- Hollywood film style and atomic images -- pt. 2: MGM and the Cold War: Above and beyond (1952) -- The military and scientists -- Cold War ideology -- Hollywood and the Cold War -- pt. 3: Experimentation with atomic themes -- Atomic comedy -- Science fiction genre -- Personal visions and opposition -- pt. 4: Hollywood science fiction, 1954-1959 -- Radiation and mutations -- Economic troubles in Hollywood -- Science fiction and independent production -- pt. 5: Radiation-produced monsters: Them! (1954) -- Genre narrative and style -- The Cold War: glorification of the military -- The nature of the threat -- Residual elements -- Fear of transmutation -- The image of the scientist -- Radiation-produced human monsters -- pt. 6: Alien invaders and atomic espionage -- The Cold War and the military scientist -- Good and bad atoms: This island Earth (1954) -- Fear of totalitarianism -- Fear of scientific development -- Atomic espionage -- pt. 7: Postnuclear scenarios -- pt. 8: The nuclear future, 1960-1964 -- Personal visions: On the beach (1959) -- The postnuclear world -- pt. 9: Questioning authority -- The military -- The scientist -- Ridicule and parody: Dr. Strangelove (1964) -- pt. 10: From mutually assured destruction to Mutant Ninja Turtles.
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Celluloid Mushroom Clouds is a historical account of how the movie industry responded to specific economic and political forces over the postwar years. Joyce Evans investigates the transformation of the imagery associated with atomic technology found in Hollywood films produced and distributed between 1947 and 1964. Incorporating qualitative and quantitative research methods, over ninety films are analyzed in terms of their historical context and the context of film production and distribution.
Celluloid mushroom clouds.
Motion pictures-- United States-- History and criticism.