The March of Time, Vol. 12, No. 13: Atomic Power

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If the March of Time's "Atomic Power" is not the greatest short subject ever produced from the standpoint of suspense, terror and an awe-inspiring climax, it will do for that classification until a better one comes along. The editors have craftily contrived a mounting mood of suspense that finally bursts upon audiences with nearly the impact of the atomic bomb itself. The short traces the development of uranium fission from the time when first information about progress in the field came out of Germany, then through the war years, explaining that research in America was carried on by several universities simultaneously. The most significant development came, it is pointed out, with the first atomic "chain reaction pile" achieved on the squash courts of the University of Chicago by Dr. Enrico Fermi late in 1942. It is the test of the first bomb on July 16, 1945 in the deserts of New Mexico that provides the short's most dramatic moments. This is built up to indicate that the scientists and military men present were not even sure that the thing would work. As history now knows, it did. But the moments just before the explosion are handled so well in the film that audiences have the feeling that they are there - and share in the apprehensions of everyone present. One more significant moment in the film comes at the close, with no accompanying commentary that bears on the scene. A gigantic rocket is shown taking off (in slow motion) and the camera follows its flight into the sky. An awe-inspiring scene with just a hint that this will be the method used in the future when one country attacks another without warning. The short is terrific and offers unlimited opportunities for enterprising showmen to put on an extensive exploitation campaign. Book it and go to work. Every effort made in behalf of exploiting "Atomic Power" will prove well worth while at the nation's box-offices.