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Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967
The United States, the only country to have dropped the bomb, and Japan, the only one to have suffered its devastation, understandably portray the nuclear threat differently on film. American science fiction movies of the 1950s and 1960s generally proclaim that it is possible to put the nuclear genie back in the bottle. Japanese films of the same period assert that once freed the nuclear genie can never again be imprisoned. This book examines genre films from the two countries released between 1951 and 1967--including Godzilla (1954), The Mysterians (1957), The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), On the Beach (1959), The Last War (1961) and Dr. Strangelove (1964)--to show the view from both sides of the Pacific.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2017
10 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Mike Bogue
19 books51 followersMike Bogue writes both fiction and non-fiction, spinning speculative tales because he finds SFF the perfect genre to explore timeless themes and timely science.
A veteran of Jerry Jenkins’ Your Novel Blueprint course, Mike’s short stories have appeared in G-FAN, Scary Monsters Magazine, Daikaiju! 3, and Don’t Go In the Water.
In October 2023, Winged Publications published “A Perfect Flock,” Mike’s first Christian science fiction novel, which boasts an Amazon customer rating of 4.8. In addition, 2023 Realm Award Winner Bryan Timothy Mitchell calls the tale “immersive and compelling.”
In the non-fiction category, Mike wrote the critically acclaimed “Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema: 1951-1967” (McFarland 2017), which received an NPR endorsement.
His second non-fiction book, “Watching the World Die: Nuclear Threat Films of the 1980s” (McFarland 2023) boasts a 4.8 customer rating on Amazon.
Currently, Mike is working on “Eden Colony,” a post-apocalyptic novel in which select nuclear war survivors find they are immune to radiation.
Single, Mike lives with his cat Bendi in Western Arkansas, where he and Bendi regularly hold contests to see who can nap the longest in a single day.
A veteran of Jerry Jenkins’ Your Novel Blueprint course, Mike’s short stories have appeared in G-FAN, Scary Monsters Magazine, Daikaiju! 3, and Don’t Go In the Water.
In October 2023, Winged Publications published “A Perfect Flock,” Mike’s first Christian science fiction novel, which boasts an Amazon customer rating of 4.8. In addition, 2023 Realm Award Winner Bryan Timothy Mitchell calls the tale “immersive and compelling.”
In the non-fiction category, Mike wrote the critically acclaimed “Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema: 1951-1967” (McFarland 2017), which received an NPR endorsement.
His second non-fiction book, “Watching the World Die: Nuclear Threat Films of the 1980s” (McFarland 2023) boasts a 4.8 customer rating on Amazon.
Currently, Mike is working on “Eden Colony,” a post-apocalyptic novel in which select nuclear war survivors find they are immune to radiation.
Single, Mike lives with his cat Bendi in Western Arkansas, where he and Bendi regularly hold contests to see who can nap the longest in a single day.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 29, 2020
Mike Bogue knows his movies, especially the kind that deal with monsters and mutations. His "Kaiju Korner" column in Scary Monster magazine is proof of that, but if you want further proof—then this book is the smoking gun.
Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967 is a thorough examination of American and Japanese science fiction movies influenced by the Cold War threat of nuclear holocaust.
And when I say "thorough," that means films as seemingly disparate as Godzilla and Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm .
Bogue was an early fan, who has watched and re-watched these films since childhood, so while he has the insight of a scholar and historian, he hasn’t lost the sense of wonder and reverence he had when he first saw them.
Cram-packed with knowledge, background info, production history, etc., the book also maintains a keen sense of humor ("Gamera’s eight pre-1990s movies have been derided more than the guest of honor at a Dean Martin roast.”)
Aside from all the detailed info about each film, what really stands out is the author’s ability to see the larger picture, too, explaining the films in their broader cultural and historical context (and notes how those contexts differ between America and Japan).
Useful as a reference book, but also immensely readable. This is a book you'll dip back into after you watch films contained within, to see what you might have missed.
A worthwhile purchase for your personal film book collection, but also highly recommended as an acquisition for public or university libraries.
Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967 is a thorough examination of American and Japanese science fiction movies influenced by the Cold War threat of nuclear holocaust.
And when I say "thorough," that means films as seemingly disparate as Godzilla and Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm .
Bogue was an early fan, who has watched and re-watched these films since childhood, so while he has the insight of a scholar and historian, he hasn’t lost the sense of wonder and reverence he had when he first saw them.
Cram-packed with knowledge, background info, production history, etc., the book also maintains a keen sense of humor ("Gamera’s eight pre-1990s movies have been derided more than the guest of honor at a Dean Martin roast.”)
Aside from all the detailed info about each film, what really stands out is the author’s ability to see the larger picture, too, explaining the films in their broader cultural and historical context (and notes how those contexts differ between America and Japan).
Useful as a reference book, but also immensely readable. This is a book you'll dip back into after you watch films contained within, to see what you might have missed.
A worthwhile purchase for your personal film book collection, but also highly recommended as an acquisition for public or university libraries.
August 12, 2020
A unique and interesting combination of a film review book and parallel analysis of the differing perspectives between American and Japanese science fiction films of the period in regards to their view of the Bomb and nuclear threat. The book takes a very specific approach and this "atomic" analysis is the best aspect and recommended to anyone interested on the subjects of either the Bomb or the contrasting American and Japanese worldviews about it. The author writes this volume in a causal and personal style which is rather different than other review volumes but appealing. At times the reviews may get off topic, but overall this is a worthy approach that may broaden the perspectives of any genre fan or "atomic scholar" not already intimately familiar regarding how two different nations and cultures viewed the Bomb and how it reflected in their cinema.
July 23, 2020
A fairly comprehensive compilation of Japanese and American nuclear threat movies from the 1950s and 60s. Well organized, categorized, summarized, interpreted, analyzed and synthesized, all with a tongue in cheek sense of humor given the sometimes cheesy content of these films. My only complaint is that the author relies fairly heavily on Bill Warren's book "Keep Watching the Skies" as a source. I'm left wondering why I read this one instead of that one!
October 29, 2017
* This is not a toy. * Sheldon Cooper would be in hog heaven with this book! This is a serious book that author, Mike Bogue, filled with photographs, detailed facts, and loads of reference material comparing how each culture's perspective impacted cinema. My special thanks to McFarland publisher for hosting this GOODREADS giveaway that I won a copy in!
March 2, 2018
Decent
Scholarly look at U.S.and Japanese atomic cinema is a little peachy at times, but informative and is well worth taking the time read. Could have used a few more photos.
Scholarly look at U.S.and Japanese atomic cinema is a little peachy at times, but informative and is well worth taking the time read. Could have used a few more photos.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews