1. Them! (1954)
Them! analyses the misuse of atomic power. The greatest difference between this film
and the three other examples is the use of special effects.
Alternate Americas mentions how
Invasions lack of the usual science fiction hardware made it possible to produce [] (it) [] with virtually no special effects [] (and) [] required nothing in the way of alien makeup or prosthetics (2006, p. 65). It also states that
The Day has minimal examples, such as the scenes in which a ray emanates from his eyes, [] (which) [] are, in fact, the most obvious examples of special effects in the film (2006, p. 32). The same is applicable for
The Thing, since the creatures electrocution is the only example; the famous fire scene involved veteran stunt man Tom Steele [] (who) [] replaced James Arness (IMDB, 2012) and required no special effects. Avila quotes a film critic who says special effects [] create an atmosphere of soul chilling apprehension so effectively audiences will take alarm at the danger posed in that picture (Redmond, 2004, p. 92), and Them! is a vivid example of the capabilities nuclear power mainly due to its special effects. Geraghty writes that the film was inspired and energised by real life events in the South Pacific as the superpowers upped their commitment to developing and testing hydrogen bombs during the mid-1950s [] (and) [] provided perfect comment on the threat of nuclear devastation [] (and) [] genetic mutation (2009, p. 25). The film also explores several of the issues studied in the other texts, such as the ants representing the Soviets, but the fact that this one analyses the consequences of nuclear power gives the viewers a different style of fright. The mutation of ants because of atomic radiation leaves the realm of the allegory, which is what the others fail to do. Douglas thus translates reality onto the screen effectively with the help of special effects. The ants may be fictional, but the anxieties that caused them to mutate are based on real atomic testing in the deserts of southwest America. Mutation was a reality, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki ratified this claim. The American viewers fear could only increase. To finish off,
Alien Zone II notes that the loss of control is a central trope of postmodern existence and something that science fiction films have warned against for decades (Kuhn, 1999, p. 205). American science fiction films from the 1950s are no different. During this cinematic period, the Cold War proved to be a time of mixed emotions at a global scale, but one thing is assured everyone feared nuclear warfare. However, the Americans also feared that Eisenhowers dominoes could be knocked down with the spread of communism.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers analyses this predicament, with containment becoming a plausible suggestion. However, if this failed, only two options remained: attacking or making amends with the red threat. The former is executed in
The Thing from Another World, whereas
The Day the Earth Stood Still dealt with the latter.
Them! proved to be a symbol of one of the possible aftermaths. Luckily enough, reality turned out to be something else at least for now. So yeah, North Korea, keep it cool.
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