ABSTRACT
Changing American attitudes toward military authority and the erosion of the Cold War ideology during the early 1960s gave Hollywood producers the courage to ignore the potential wrath of the Pentagon and to produce pictures that focused upon the negative side of military leadership. Although members of the military were still depicted as competent and compassionate in most Hollywood productions, the image of civilian scientists continued to degenerate, particularly those in control of nuclear technology. Dr. Sorenson is hoping to obtain their approval to use a hydrogen bomb donated by the U. S. military to burn a hole into the Earth's crust. A military officer argues with the scientist responsible for the disaster about the problems of civilian nuclear development: military officer scientist took a calculated risk, which was more risk than calculation. Dr. Strangelove criticized not only the bomb but also military and government leaders, and even the system, the premises upon which it operates, and the people who run it.
