Guide to Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films C0505 Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films

Guide to Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films C0505

Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Amanda Brent

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0505
Title
Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films 1951
Quantity
.25 Linear Feet, 1 reel and box.
Creator
Castle Films, inc
Location
R 72, C 3, S 5
Language
English .
Abstract
Duck and Cover reel film and original box, created by Castle Films for the Federal Civil Defense Administration in 1951.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Alternative Form Available

You can view the physical item here: http://artemis.gmu.edu/SCRC/exhibits/show/coldwar/item/43

Preferred Citation

Duck and Cover reel by Castle Films, C0505, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donor unknown.

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid completed by Amanda Brent in June 2022. Bob Vay contributed to the Historical Information.


Historical Information

On August 29, 1949 the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb. The weapon was similar in design and explosive power to the United States' "Fat Man" plutonium bomb detonated over Nagasaki, Japan four years earlier. The Soviets did not make any public statement about this development, but American intelligence agencies discovered evidence that was consistent with an explosion. It was formally announced on September 23 by United States President Harry S. Truman and confirmed the next day by the Soviet government. In only four years the U.S. monopoly on atomic weapons was over, and the country began an arms race with the Soviet Union.

Throughout the Cold War the U.S. government promoted the idea that nuclear war was survivable for those who took the proper precautions and had knowledge of how to protect themselves. The 1951 film Duck and Cover was created by the Federal Civil Defense Administration to teach school children how to protect themselves from a nuclear blast. The film's main character Bert the Turtle shows children how to hide under their desks and cover their heads to protect themselves from the effects of a bomb. You can view the film here.

Scope and Content

Duck and Cover reel film and original box, created by Castle Films for the Federal Civil Defense Administration in 1951. The box is designed in red, blue, and white with the text "An Official Federal Defense Film/ Duck and Cover/ Castle Films" on the front.

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center holds many other materials and collections related to the Cold War and nuclear warfare, including the Francis J. McNamara papers.

More information and materials can be found in our digital exhibition, Looking Over Our Shoulder: The Cold War in American Culture.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Cold War
  • Cold War -- Social aspects -- United States

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to play reel-to-reel tapes. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.