September 23, 2003

An Attack Is Not Taking Place

adaycalledx.jpg

Thanks to a pointer from a friend not of Portland, I've just finished watching The Day Called 'X', a mid-1950s (or, possibly, late-1950s) television dramatization of the evacuation of Portland under threat of atomic attack, narrated by Glenn Ford.

The film uses no actors. Yes, that's actually Mayor Terry Schrunk being whisked away to the emergency operations center, underground and seven miles outside Portland.

Part one of the film can be found here, while part two can be found here. It's available in various formats, both streaming and downloadable.

So far, I've recognized only SW Broadway looking south towards Yamhill and Morrison, and the interior of the First United Methodist Church on SW Jefferson. Well, and the various Willamette bridges, of course.

Portlanders, both current and former, should post a comment with anything else they recognize, or any memories they may have of watching -- or, for that matter, participating in -- this program.

Posted at 12:25 AM | PermalinkComments (2) | TrackBacks (0)
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Comments (2)

  1. Pete on 25 Sep 2003

    This sounds fascinating. How can we view it on the web?

    I think you meant to include links on your "can be found here" text. If true, those links are missing.

    Thanks.

  2. Pete on 25 Sep 2003

    Now I see the links. Thanks.