Operation Doorstep (silent)

Description: "The effects of an atomic explosion on two average frame houses are shown in Operation Doorstep, film story of the atom firing at Yucca Flats, Nevada during the March 17 civil defense demonstration.

Produced by Byron, Inc., in cooperation with the Federal Civil Defense Administration, the film shows the preparation necessary for such a project, and the combined efforts of television, newsreel and radio facilities to bring home to Americans the importance of being prepared in the event of atomic war."

This version includes "Prologue to Operation Doorstep," probably produced later and added to main film, and contains many images that have become emblematic of the Cold War-era nuclear weapons testing program.

"Effects of Atom Bomb Are Shown in Byron's "Operation Doorstep.""

Business Screen Magazine, 1953, No. 4, Vol. 14, p. 34. archive.org/details/businesss1953creenmav14rich/page/326/mode/1up

See NBC Trade News from March 11, 1953 for additional information about the media coverage of Operation Doorstep atomic tests: archive.org/details/nbctraderelease1953nati_1/page/n121/mode/2up

Can states: "B/W F.G. Master Pos. Pix + need TRK"; "OPERATION DOORSTEP"

Reuse Statement: For information on reusing Prelinger Archives footage and obtaining written usage agreements, please visit www.prelinger.com.

Subjects: 1950s, Cold War, Military, Nuclear weapons

Tags: Nevada Test Site; NTS; desert; staging old cars at test side; anthropomorphic test device; KTLA television remote van; radio antennae; 16mm cameras; 35mm cameras; loudspeakers; soldiers; mannequin family; staged mannequins; mannequin toddler; dummies dressed as suburban family; registering and tagging movie cameras; "Joint Test Information Office" sign; "U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Nevada Proving Ground Mercury, Nevada" sign; Main Street sign; press gathering at model house; wristwatches; preparing for atomic test; soldiers in foxholes; mushroom clouds; safety goggles; gas masks; nuclear explosions; mountains; helicopters; radiation testing; shattered windows; newspapers; person filming; person with camera; simulation manikins; newspaper headlines; timelapse of house exploding; emergency preparedness; nuclear safety; environmental destruction; atomic bomb flash; flames rippling over house; post-blast damage

Film Sponsor: U.S. Federal Civil Defense Administration

Creator: "Byron, Inc."

Credits:

Distributor:

Contributor: Prelinger Archives

Source Collection: The Archives Project, Prelinger Archives

Digitizing Sponsor: Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) and Internet Archive

Production Date: 1953-03-17

Release Date:

Geographical Location: USA; Nevada; Mercury, Nevada; Nevada Test Site; Nye County, Nevada

Genre/Form: government, military

Language: eng

Rights: Film bears copyright notice at tail: "Copyright MCMLIII by Byron, Inc." Not in Catalog of Copyright Entries 1950-59. No renewal shown in online Copyright Office records.

Film Format: 16mm film

Element: finegrain master, positive

Color: b&w

Color Process:

Sound or Silent: silent

Film Soundtrack Type: mos

Edge Code:

Frame Rate: 24 fps

Length (feet): 421