ABSTRACT
Integrating atomic themes into a dramatic or docudrama production ran the risk of inviting government scrutiny, while direct military involvement with scripts and audience expectation that film content should support the dominant ideological stance also restricted the presentation of the atomic subject. The most economically successful Hollywood exploitation of atomic themes can be found in the first picture debuting the radiation-produced monster, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. Hollywood studios soon chose to experiment with genres that would allow more flexibility and attract less interference from outside interests, and hopefully make more money in the process. Such experimentation capitalized upon popular interest in domestic atomic testing and concern with the effects of fallout; these films took the form of dark comedy. The first Hollywood products to overtly come out against the further development and use of atomic technology appeared in 1951. The science fiction genre offered a forum basically free from direct government intervention and House Un-American Activities Committee pressure.
