The Movie That Scared Ronald Reagan Into Nuclear Détente
Angry Planet4 Dec 2023

The Movie That Scared Ronald Reagan Into Nuclear Détente

Forty years ago, a made for TV movie aired on ABC that changed the world. It was called The Day After, and it depicted life in Kansas and Missouri after a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union. More than 100 million people watched it when it aired. One of them was president Ronald Reagan.


“I ran the tape of the movie ABC is running on the air Nov. 20. It’s called “The Day After.” It has Lawrence Kansas wiped out in a nuclear war with Russia. It is powerfully done—all $7 mil. worth. It’s very effective & left me greatly depressed,” he wrote in his diary after watching an early screening in 1983. “So far they haven’t sold any of the 25 spot ads scheduled & I can see why. Whether it will be of help to the ‘anti nukes’ or not, I cant say. My own reaction was one of our having to do all we can to have a deterrent & to see there is never a nuclear war.”


This week on Angry Planet, we talk with David Craig about his new book Apocalypse Television: How the Day After Helped End the Cold War. More than just a “making-of” story, Craig’s book is a reminder of the transcendent power of art to change the world.


Angry Planet has a Substack! Join to get weekly insights into our angry planet and hear more conversations about a world in conflict.


https://angryplanet.substack.com/subscribe


Angry Planet has a Substack! Join to get weekly insights into our angry planet and hear more conversations about a world in conflict.


https://angryplanet.substack.com/subscribe

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(498)

'Nothing is real, anything is possible': How Putin's propaganda machine works

'Nothing is real, anything is possible': How Putin's propaganda machine works

The media in Russia is lively, often entertaining and largely state controlled. Still, an illusion of freedom remains key for the Kremlin to maintain its grasp over a country that spans 11 time zones....

1 Dec 201529min

Are drone strikes working if Paris attacks can still happen?

Are drone strikes working if Paris attacks can still happen?

Predator and Reaper drones hang in the sky above Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Mostly they observe, search for targets – and occasionally they unleash Hellfire missiles. Targets may be large gather...

24 Nov 201527min

One phrase from Saudi clerics could begin the end of Islamic State

One phrase from Saudi clerics could begin the end of Islamic State

The recent terror attacks in Paris shook the world and put the focus back on Islamic State. This week on War College, we talk with American Special Operations intelligence veteran Malcolm Nance. Nance...

19 Nov 201545min

Who picks up your trash when you live in the 'Islamic State?'

Who picks up your trash when you live in the 'Islamic State?'

Many in the West think of the Islamic State as a loose collection of fighters -- rabble who kill, loot and burn. But the truth is more complex, though no less terrifying. Islamic State actually govern...

11 Nov 201531min

What makes a historical arsonist?

What makes a historical arsonist?

The host of the Hardcore History podcast joins War College to discuss some of the most powerful figures in history - men and women who burned down the world they were born into and -- many generations...

3 Nov 201527min

Get a look inside the secretive world of U.S. Special Ops

Get a look inside the secretive world of U.S. Special Ops

America’s Special Operations Forces have become instrumental in the war against radical Islam. But few in America know their story or how they operate. Sean Naylor wants to change that. His new book, ...

28 Okt 201528min

Most of Russia's military still 'rubbish' despite Ukraine, Syria deployments

Most of Russia's military still 'rubbish' despite Ukraine, Syria deployments

The annexation of Crimea, the war in eastern Ukraine and the military operation in Syria present the image of a confident Russian President Vladimir Putin willing to expend military power for politica...

20 Okt 201533min

How the machine gun brought modern war to the world

How the machine gun brought modern war to the world

None of the world’s great powers were ready for the carnage World War I. The armies of 1914 looked a lot like the armies of 1814 … but they didn’t go to war with 19th century weapons. The modern world...

14 Okt 201530min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

svenska-fall
aftonbladet-krim
p3-krim
rss-krimstad
flashback-forever
blenda-2
rss-sanning-konsekvens
politiken
aftonbladet-daily
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-krimreportrarna
motiv
spar
grans
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-flodet
svd-ledarredaktionen
dagens-eko
olyckan-inifran
rss-aftonbladet-krim