The Atom and Biological Science (1952)

★★★★ · Consistent with the time · jgruszynski · 2009-12-03

This film has to be view within the context of what was even known at the time. This is pre-DNA, pre-virus, pre-electron-microscope, etc. Back then these hadn't even been discovered yet. Without understanding DNA, it's nearly impossible to ever get a handle on the effects of radiation on cells. It's also impossible to understand cancer. Were they grappling in the dark? Absolutely. This represents the very earliest stages knowledge before it appears "fait a compli" in some snotty-nosed kid's politically correct and sanitized science text book or becomes a watered-down science show. Viewing the

★★★ · And then the nuclear rats grew to enourmous size and.. · Spuzz · 2003-10-13

This great atom quackery film tells us of the many benefits the atom is being used to benefit agriculture, disease and other pesky problems. Some really nice shots of people handling nuclear charged rods and doing experiments that seemed like a good idea then (nuclear infused corn!) and lead us to imagine some nuclear horrors taking place much much later.

★★ · Zzzzzzzzz...... · Christine Hennig · 2003-10-07

This boring Encyclopedia Brittanica film covers the various forms of atomic biological research being done in the 50s. Lots of animal experimentation is shown, which some people might find offensive. One mildly interesting aspect of the film is that it shows a lot more female laboratory personnel than you would expect of a film from its time period. Whether or not they were paid as much as the men is not mentioned. Mostly, though, this is dull as dishwater. Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: **. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: **.