A Is for Atom (1953)
1953 · Animation · 14 min · dir. Carl Urbano
- Animation
Synopsis
General Electric sponsors this explanation of atomic energy, detailing some of its uses besides the bomb. Using animation and an off-screen narrator, the film describes the atom, elements and isotopes, the discovery of transmutation, experiments in artificial transmutation, and the reasons for the power of nuclear fission. The film argues that now, besides war, the atomic age holds promise for energy, farming, medicine, and research. The promise of the atomic age will depend on human wisdom.
Synopsis from TMDb
Details
- Director
- Carl Urbano
- Writer
- True Eames Boardman
- Studio
- John Sutherland Productions, General Electric
- Released
- 1953-01-01
- Running time
- 14 minutes
Cast & crew
- Carl Urbano Director
- John Hiestand
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★★★ · A Is for Atom · Christine Hennig · 2003-01-29
This one should have been called Our Friend, the Atom. Think of a movie with that title and you'll come pretty close to this 50s animated film about atomic energy. It does a pretty good job of explaining the basics of nuclear physics (or an oversimplification of the basics), but its visual metaphors are simultaneously bizarre and very representative of 50s culture. Example: Stable elements live respectable lives in 50s houses, while radioactive elements spend all night partying, hopping from bar to bar, until their energy burns out and they become one of the stable masses. Atomic energy is…
★★★★★ · Beautiful · DrAwkward · 2003-10-23
Though it has a questionable agenda and is especially glib about the reasons for developing and using the A-bomb, this film does a couple of things pretty well. It explains atomic physics to the layman in a very clear if reductive manner, and it sports some of the most beautiful animation probably ever used for such a purpose. The film is amazing to watch for the amimation alone.
★★★★★ · Classic · trafalgar · 2004-03-15
The definitive introduction to the Atomic Age, through fantastic, imaginative animation. An absolute classic, for reasons both intentional and otherwise, and a pleasure to look at. Highly recommended.
★★★★★ · Informative · clarinetalex · 2004-04-25
This is a very good film. The animation is extremely cool (not just because its from 1953). Also, the film is very informative even though it was produced so long ago. In addition, it is extremely interesting and entertaining. I give it 5 stars. Bravo!
★★★★★ · The stylin' Atomic Age! · Venckman · 2005-08-15
This is an excellent cartoon that's both very entertaining and surprisingly informative. The clarity with which it dispatches its educational payload would make it a pretty effective teaching tool today, and the animation is incredibly stylish. The film has the very optimistic tone and it's interesting to see what predictions have come to pass (medical research), and what have not (nuclear planes and trains!). Great stuff.
★★★★★ · A is for Apathy · citizine · 2006-04-15
A classic piece of Civil Defense propaganda. Love that old CD logo. A pyramid? Laying it on a little thick there, "them." Still don't think its propaganda? Um, GE paid for it...GE! Who better to promote atomic energy? While surprisingly informative for propaganda (iodine 131, take a note), its declaration of the UN being "Men of Good Will" is disturbingly hilarious. Laden with double-speak ("War for Survival") this globalist-animation makes the "New World of the Atomic Age" look pretty frightening. I mean those gouache matte paintings are gorgeous...but electric giants, mad german scientists…
