302 The Prelinger Archives dates this film to about 1955. It was probably made about 1958 or 1959. The narrator, Glenn Ford, mentions artificial satellites. Sputnik was launched in October 1957. The film also does not use actors but rather actual citizens or Portland. The Mayor, Terry D. Schrunk didn't become the Mayor of Portland until 1957. "AN ATTACK IS NOT TAKING PLACE" I love this disclaimer. I'm sure there was a lot of talk at CBS about making a 'reality-based' program such as this. Before television the CBS network had a lot of publicity problems when "War of the Worlds" aired on the radio, creating fears of an alien invasion. I believe that in 1959 the Director of the CIA toured television stations across the nation in a campaign to increase awareness of the threat of Communism. It is likely that this film was shown by CBS affiliates during that year. The film is very good and definitely is educational in that it is an example of how Civil Defense was supposed to work. Today we have Homeland Security which can be compared to the Civil Defense of the 1950's and 1960's. There is an example of the Conelrad Radio Alert. You might recall that AM radios had hash marks on the dial at 640 and 1240 kHz so that you could quickly tune your radio to hear Civil Defense information. To a young person watching this film today it might seem amusing. However, I spoke to a person that vividly recalls watching this, as a child, when it originally aired. He says that it was very frightening and gave him nightmares. This is a very skillfully directed film. Read the timeline notes for details on certain camera shots designed to evoke emotion from the viewer. I would recommend this film for its Historical significance. Homeland Defense HabboX 2002-10-27 00:00:00 2002-10-27 00:00:00 5 1947 Glenn Ford narrates this excellently paced film about the possible nuke-u-lar attack on Portland Oregon. Well thought out pace and narration add to the mounting tension to this film to great effect. The film stars the 'people of Portland' who are all coming from the 'One Note School Of Acting' where they are taught to act in one expression only, and that's boredom. Why are people so glum? Even before the attack. the people look bored out of their mind! (insert Portland Joke here). By the way, there's a huge cheat that happens in the film.... Oh Glenn! Spuzz 2003-04-15 22:18:33 2003-04-15 22:18:33 5 16232 What if everything in the world went perfect and according to plan, but still the Russians flew some slow moving bombers toward the USA? No problem! They've got hours to move 400,000 people, and of course they will be safe if we just move them a few miles from downtown. No cars or trucks will break down and block traffic. All the children will behave like angels. Those hospitalized can easily be transported in moving vans. No one will panic. The police will gladly stay on their downtown assignments. No communications breakdowns will occur. And the existing city authorities have made plans to keep the power structure intact so they can rule after the worst happens. This fantasyland brought to you by CBS News. "There are no actors in this story!" Steve Nordby 2004-07-08 18:33:16 2004-07-08 18:33:16 5 Gee, if I was a kid in the 1957-1958 period (that's the estimated time this TV special was originally presented), I wouldn't like this happening in my area! The main part of this film is a HUGE air-raid siren BLARING LOUDLY throughout town. Also I find the "An Attack Is Not Taking Place" disclaimer a bit humorous. Also, I happen to know that H-bombs (hydrogen bombs) are more powerful than A-bombs. I bet with a huge flash and KABOOM! they can take down a whole city. The idea does give me chills, but I am glad the only bombs that were "dropped" here in America were only when we were testing the bombs in deserts and such. But, I can see why they'd need to evacuate the city of Portland. In other Civil Defense films (such as "Our Cities Must Fight") they talk about you should STAY in the town and fight back. But that's because those were the days of the A-bomb, BEFORE the deadly H-bomb was introduced. And another thing, it may be interesting to know the wailing alarm used in this program is one of those Chrysler air raid sirens, probably the most powerful and loudest, ear-shattering air raid sirens EVER! This is all according to research of this webpage I found. http://www.victorysiren.com/ I think I should email the owner of the site and tell him about this film. Overall, a dramatic suspense-filled TV special, sure to keep you at the edge of your seat! Very unnerving... 4 Logoliker2004 2005-06-12 06:09:44 2005-06-12 06:09:44 I saw this several times and I still don't see how CBS managed to snag Glenn Ford. Never today will Hollywood wiggle onto the small screen for a documentary. This was a well-done, no-political bias documentary. I do wonder why they had a Foley editor (man/woman who makes noise for soundtracks)dub the sound of another air raid siren when the big Chrysler Victory Sirens whirled and whined? Visit victorysiren.com to hear what one really sounds like. Aside from the nitpicking I am impressed. We could've used Portland's mayor in Hurricane Katrina! Very nice job by CBS/DCPA 3 katurner 2005-09-13 00:32:47 2005-09-13 00:32:47 I've watched this several times ... it's quite a fascinating program! Although I doubt that if I were around when this program originally aired I'd have felt this way. There's something I noticed, however, while watching it that rather perplexes me. I looked up KOIN-AM on Google (and by the way, for those not living in Portland the station's now known by another name), and found out that it broadcast at 970 on the AM dial. This is what gets me: if you look closely at the setting of the dial on the radio (a very nice Arvin model ... perhaps an early transistor one) it appears to be tuned somewhere around 570 kHz and not 970 kHz. What's up with that? Interesting ... tazcatsdad 2007-03-28 03:10:46 2007-03-28 03:10:46 4 (Part 1 & 2 make up the complete film) Made in 1958 by CBS, this Civil Defense film made in Portland, Oregon was hosted by actor Glenn Ford. Somewhat naive when compared to today, it must have been effective for the viewers of that generation. Historically, it is very interesting. DAY CALLED X, Powerful for its day (Part 1 & 2) ERD. 2008-12-18 23:08:17 2008-12-18 23:08:17 5 7 4.43