Panic in the Year Zero! (1962)

Panic in the Year Zero!
Director- Ray Milland
Starring- Ray Milland, Jean Hagen, Frankie Avalon


A family leaving for a vacation is just outside of town when they noticed an odd mushroom cloud in Los Angeles. Stopping at a payphone, they realize they can't get a hold of anyone in town, and soon discover it had been hit by a hydrogen bomb. Survival instincts fight with the need to stay civilized as the extraordinarily level-headed father, Harry, navigates his family through a changed landscape, one in which simple teen punks become highway robbers, townsfolk bar outsides just to maintain a little safety, and a national park becomes a temporary safe haven until the military can get the fighting under control.

I think this movie is fairly accurate in its portrayal of human nature. In times of panic and emergency, many are looking out for themselves or their own loved ones--not really a bad thing, mind you--but while fleeing become reckless and cause danger to others. On the other hand, the mother, Ann, seems too over-sentimental in her need to maintain civilization that it almost costs them Harry's life when they are confronted by the teen highway punks.

Other characteristics of times of panic include price-gouging and xenophobia--anyone can be an enemy, and even those considered not a threat should still be charged $90 for 30 gallons of gas (think 1962 prices).

It's a good foreshadow when the punks are let go, as they pop up again later on and wreak a little havoc of a more personal nature. Toward the end, Harry is really feeling the weight of responsibility for having put his family into this situation. He's seen people reacting selfishly, violating the rights of others, even outright killing (somewhat grisly scenes for 1962 movies).

After Harry's son (Frankie Avalon in a surprisingly good role) is wounded by one of the teen punks, Harry realizes he must get his family out of the park and into a town over 100 miles away that set up an emergency post for displaced people to come to. Along the way, they find a doctor who is able to stablize the son temporarily until they can get him to the town. Before leaving, Harry informs the doctor that the "war" is over and we won, to which the doctor gives a sarcastic retort, symbolizing a growing cynical attitude toward nuclear warfare.

I've noticed a lot of horror/sci fi movies made in the 1950-60's are always accompanied by a soundtrack that's something like freeform jazz. It makes me wonder if Les Baxter was to them what Danny Elfman is to Tim Burton films...

I was overall impressed by the writing of this movie and how the plot just moves right along without any boring snags. I also liked that it was willing to go a little farther to show the brutality caused by civilization's fear of becoming uncivilized. Kind of ironic.

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Bonedaddies