Nuclear Nightmares and Alien Invasions: Scifi in USA during the Cold War

[@danielkrohn4980]

A canticle for Leibowitz has become one of my favorite books. I know there was a lot of great science fiction during the period, but I think it always deserves a mention. I think it gave us fallout as well.

[@abchaplin]

The realist films like "Fail Safe," "Seven Days in May," and "On the Beach" also rate mention. To a lesser extent, I suppose 1983's "War Games" does too.

[@ekmalsukarno2302]

To David and the entire Cold War crew, please make videos on these following topics: - Argentina during the rule of Juan Peron. That way, all your viewers and subscribers will learn about the unique ideology of Peronism, Peron's cult of personality, his economic policies, and how they all affect Argentina's politics, economy and society to this day. - The history of Thailand during the Cold War. That way, all your viewers and subscribers will learn about the return of Phibun (who governed Thailand during WW2) as well as the numerous on-and-off military governments that governed Thailand during the Cold War. - Gastarbeiters (foreign migrant workers) in both West and East Germany. That way, all your viewers and subscribers will learn about how Germany's Turkish diaspora came into existence. - Indonesia's Chinese diaspora population. That way, all your viewers and subscribers will learn about how this influential community was affected by the governments of both Sukarno and Suharto. Thank you very much.

[@Jay-ho9io]

I would love to see all these.

[@tedpop]

I don’t know if Peronism is a unique ideology or an empty ideology that has no practical meaning. If both fascists and leftists claim you, there isn’t any substance, consistency, or reason to your positions.

[@oldesertguy9616]

This was a great video. I grew up during the Cold War and sometimes was unaware of the messages behind some of the movies and television shows. The Twilight Zone was teaching me without me realizing it.

[@rhedosaurus2251]

It's great to see The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms get a mention here. After all, it was the first atomic monster movie and kick started Ray Harryhausen's career.

[@MrBelmont79]

We need a second part, but from the Soviet block’s perspective. We don’t know much from them. Did they create as much space alien films, books…as us? Great topic ✋🏻🇺🇸

[@TheColdWarTV]

We did an episode looking at the influence of the Space Race on Soviet society and it does touch on the popularity of SciFi as a result: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2i5h3tsgrFrqbc

[@dongately2817]

Solaris, Roadside Picnic, and We are a few good examples of Soviet print sci-fi. Tarkovsky made film versions of Solaris and Roadside Picnic (the film was called Stalker) that are excellent philosophical sci-fi.

[@andyreznick]

Excellent presentation. Thank you, sir.

[@morgan97475]

Another great Cold War TV episode is from Star Trek - A Private Little War. Distributing "fire-sticks" for the natives.

[@BitchyHistory]

They have an episode on Star Trek on this channel too. Same researcher/script writer...which may or may not be me. Just saying.

[@SeoulMan]

It's thanks to atomic weapons we got another major sci-fi trope, atomic/nuclear mutation, particularly gigantification. The Amazing Colossal Man, based on the Nth Man paved the way for other icons like The Incredible Hulk and the Fifty Foot Woman.

[@lightlegion_]

Your style is incredibly distinctive!

[@abchaplin]

"KLAATU BARADA NECKTIE" says the man wearing a crewneck. (Yeah, I clearly heard "necktie", but checked the closed captions just to make sure. Thanks for the laugh, David.)

[@TheColdWarTV]

"Shop smart, Shop S-Mart"

[@shawnjohnson9763]

Klaatu Barada *cough and indistinct muttering *. There, I said it.😂

[@twoheart7813]

Rod Serling used The Twilight Zone to push the boundaries of social consciousness at a time when race, anti-war & other hot topics rarely made the TV screen. Much of it came from the horrors of WWII he experienced while fighting as a Marine in the Philippines.

[@svenrio8521]

Very interesting topic

[@lukesmith1818]

Great topic!War with the Newts Novel by Karel Čapek is an amazing sci fi satire that doesn't get enough love. It came out in 1936 but has similar theme of cruelty and complacency leading to destruction

[@elcubanitokc]

How about Soviet and Soviet camp sci-fi? It was much more nakedly ideological. Works like Andromeda Nebula, Elektronik (for children), Mezga Aladar, Solaris, etc. It would be worth exploring those in contrast with American and Western sci-fi works.

[@deanbuss1678]

I remember "Regan pods" on Saturday night live.

[@Nobody.exe50]

I used this video as a recommendation list for late nights lol, Gotta love the style of old Sci fi

[@peterloohunt]

FUCK YEAH! What a great topic from a great channel!

[@emmcee662]

Most entertaining! Thank you

[@benvandermerwe4934]

Fully immersive entertainment and journalism.

[@justinambru8529]

Indeed 1950s and 1960s were the best time for sci-fi.

[@fightingfalcon1986]

Speaking of material for new documentary videos, it would be interesting to take a deeper look at the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion and the Jeju Island Rebellion in South Korea, a couple of years before the outbreak of the Korean War of 1950-1953. I'll leave the idea in the air, meanwhile.

[@gramsci747]

Looking forward to your exploration of sf behind the iron curtain.

[@Seouldrift7]

Now for some reason I want to see a Sci-Fi Horror involving secretly U.S. Commandos that also involves a secret Soviet Military base and alien technology. I don't know why but for some reason. That just sounds cool.

[@threeroundslv]

ending on an Army of Darkness reference, nice

[@tommy-er6hh]

The film "28 days", a weak film, did this comparison to the cold war most directly, by aliens giving 7 people all over the world a chance to destroy all their enemies. It would have been great to use, but its obscurity is why not.

[@happyboygogo]

Will you also do an episode on Soviet Sci-fi? It's also absolutely fascinating.

[@TheColdWarTV]

We did an episode looking at the influence of the Space Race on Soviet society and it does touch on the popularity of SciFi as a result: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2i5h3tsgrFrqbc

[@happyboygogo]

@@TheColdWarTV A deep dive on Soviet sci-fi would be great too!

[@TerrellThomas1971]

Good episode...i would like to see an episode on Eastern bloc Sci Fi ,please...

[@lordMartiya]

Weird you didn't mention Star Trek. Also... KLAATU BARADA NIKTU!

[@TheColdWarTV]

We have a dedicated episode to Star Trek and the Cold War: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e57cdYqNbLOHm5I

[@57575756]

Heck with Alien Invasion I aint afraid of no Aliens. I'm afraid of Giant Ants. Not THEM.

[@TheColdWarTV]

"I'd like to remind them as a trusted TV personality, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves"

[@jackieow]

Or "The Beginning of the End"

[@padawanmage71]

‘Klaatu Barada Necktie!” (Ash from Evil Dead approves)

[@dendostar5436]

Oh. Oh my.

[@fordisfurious]

Interesting! I never appreciated that Cold War sci-fi could be social commentary.

[@mcmcmcm6520]

Thank you for not putting DOCUMENTARY in the title. That always makes me not click

[@michaeldunham3385]

Can't believe you didn't mention Star Trek

[@TheColdWarTV]

We have a dedicated episode on Star Trek and the Cold War: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e57cdYqNbLOHm5I

[@Mast3r0fTheUniverse]

@@TheColdWarTVnext video. Haven’t seen it.

[@Tecnicos-qj8pb]

And movies 🎥 about WWW 3? Great video!!!

[@jackieow]

Threads, also The Day After

[@Tecnicos-qj8pb]

@ Thank you, do you have the complete list of all those movies? I know both, but others I don’t. Thank you 😊

[@jackieow]

@@Tecnicos-qj8pb Watch the movies and youtube will put similar ones listed in the right hand margin. Another would be Dr. Strangelove.

[@gav-gf7cr]

will you do one on soviet sci-fi too?

[@maximotten-kamp371]

Please do soviet science fiction next!

[@tangentreverent4821]

Has anyone heard of space travel fiction treating space travel as a way to escape responsibility?

[@unr74]

WATCH THE SKIES!!

[@georgemetcalf8763]

Ooo, a video on non-American science fiction could be good, too.

[@pyeitme508]

Star Wars too!

[@Shinzon23]

No mention of Star Trek?

[@Farmuhan]

It's funny how this video is appear when Dandadan become so popular

[@nborr258]

4:11 ඞ

[@justinambru8529]

4:49 Oh not suspected, they were proven. Even if mccarthy was paranoid, at the end of the day, he did have real enemies.

[@babayaga6376]

Yeah, I mean this is a channel that covered Project Venona.

[@jackieow]

And, looking through KGB records after 1991 proved he wasn't so paranoid after all.

[@jackieow]

Try Twilight Zone "The Shelter." Once Russia got Sputnik orbiting, the fear became the Russians would establish moon bases and launch nuclear rockets at us from there.

[@anauthentictincan6850]

1984 video when?

[@basicallywellfed3453]

Fascinating to watch the Communist presenter talk about "paranoia" of the cold war: people were quite right to fear Communism, "David" as the final collapse of the USSR shows.

[@duncancurtis5108]

How on earth could Soviet citizens watch such glorious anti capitalism when only one TV was working and the rest had exploded?😅

[@bobtaylor170]

Rocket scientist and Nazi. Picky, picky, picky.