
"Shows the greater need for wardens in The H-Bomb Era by outlining warden duties. Emphasizes the need for local leadership, individual preparedness and the increased need for rural, as well as urban, protection planning. Should be helpful in recruiting wardens." This quote, pulled from a civil defense bulletin utilitarianly named Information Circular No. 75, summarizes both the content and the goals of The Role of The Warden in The H-Bomb Era. (1) The film begins with a brief history of humanity's defenses, from medieval castles to the trenches of World War One to the family fallout shelter. John Foster, proprietor of an inner-city appliance store, and Ed Fitzgerald, farmer, are the titular wardens. With the aid of vibrant animated scenes, they describe the nature and challenges of their job. In the early 1950's, John Foster explains the primary mission was to survey his neighborhood population and inventory all assets and liabilities. Once completed, he instructs all residents to "Duck and Cover" by staying inside undamaged buildings following an enemy atomic attack. Ed Fitzgerald, meanwhile, encourages his neighbors to be on the lookout for unusual crop diseases and other signs of enemy sabotage. He notes an apathy in rural populations who feel their isolated location provides immunity from the horrors of atomic warfare. As the decade progressed, edits to this film reflect how the goals and strategies of each warden change.








References:
1. Pennsylvania State Council of Civil Defense. Information Circular No. 75. September 26, 1956.
2. Federal Civil Defense Administration. Annual Statistical Report. 1957.
3. Office of Civil Defense. 1965 Annual Statistical Report. June 30, 1965. 71.