PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO! (1962)
4 stars
Radiance Films. Limited edition Blu ray. Out. Now
Harry Baldwin (Ray Milland) is packing up his fishing gear early one morning. He is preparing to go away with his family on a trip with their caravan – wife Ann (Jean Hagen), son Rick (played by teen heartthrob Frankie Avalon, before he rose to fame in all those Beach movies) and daughter Karen (Mary Mitchel).
Merrily travelling along they turn on the radio when there is a strange blinding white light. Stopping and looking back at Los Angeles, they see the flash again. Nothing but static being broadcast. Pulling in to a roadside phone booth (remember those) Harry finds all the lines are unavailable. Concerned, they consider going back home – that is until they see the mushroom cloud over the city and they realise there has been some kind of nuclear attack.
At a gas station he is warned by one of the customers not to go back. When the same man has no means to pay for the petrol hen just pumped, he attacks the attendant – the first sign of the coming violence. Dad decides they should carry on the road – as panic is setting in. At a roadside diner, where the food is already running out, they discover San Diego and San Francisco have also been hit.
Their best bet is to head to the vacation spot where they were originally going to go to – as it is in a remote site in the mountains. Stopping at a small town on the way, to get supplies, it is soon clear they will have to fight to survive – Ann is shocked as to how violent her husband has turned, but he is determined to keep his family safe. It’s one of those “what would you do” scenarios…
Low budget but effective (even if the special fx depicting the attack is a bit shonky), this was directed by Ray Milland, apparently using a crew borrowed from Roger Corman. He helmed several films, this is possibly his best known one, plus a few TV episodes too. With a script by Jay Simms and John Morton based on (uncredited) two short stories by Ward Moore – ‘Lot’ and ‘Lot’s Daughter’. Often raw in it’s depictions, this was released at a time when nuclear destruction was at the forefront of people’s minds. Milland is good as the protective patriarch, though his switch to full, gun wielding, survivalist mode is a bit rapid. The film shows how quickly societal norms can break down. Avalon is notable, as he enthusiastically embraces the combative ways of his father – whilst the ladies of the household are concerned about the ensuing savagery.
The film was shot as SURVIVAL and was briefly re-released as END OF THE WORLD. The funky score by Les Baxter often feels intrusive and inappropriate.
Steve Kirkham
EXTRAS
3 stars
Archival 2016 Audio commentary by critic Richard Harland Smith
New interview with Kim Newman (21 mins): talks about the film and Milland. His early work as an extra. Being a sharp shooter. Stage work. Moving to the US in the 30s and paying his dues in various productions. Then appearing in Billy Wilder’s THE LOST WEEKEND (1945). Moving into directing. Working for Corman. Later career in supporting roles.
Ray Milland archival interview (1972) (31 mins) Discussing his life and career at the University of London. From a SD source.
Atomic Shock! – An interview with filmmaker Joe Dante (2016, 9 mins). Discusses the film
Trailer
This limited edition you also get reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters; Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by film critic Christina Newland.
