check out the first 20 minute even though the suspense hasn not yet kick in . we get a pretty good look at super secret los alamo just a few year after the big bomb test that help end wwii . except for the tight security and it look unthreatening enough . note how it a tv repairman and an obvious regular guy and who take u through security . once through and it like any town usa and nice home and quiet street and kid go to school and and a family tv on the blink . later on we see little tommy and little peggy frolic along street line with impressive look facility separate by locked gate . the movie appear to be say and okay and be tough and only because we have to be . but and basically and be still just folk . now and i expect that be a comforting message to cold war audience still not use to government doom day research . it a clear effort at popular reassurance . the one darker note be when tommy mother ( clarke ) worry about her son mental state . he doesn not say and when i grow up while instead and it and if i grow up . that note of doubt not only reflect a los alamos reality and but also a national one that in 1952 have just see footage of the apocalyptic h bomb . note too and how professionally fbi agent be portray and a standard feature of mccarthy era fare . when brute force be need and it not they and but private citizen gene barry who thrash out the informationan early version and i suppose and of modern era rendition . once the kidnapping occur and the suspense doesn not let up . the intrigue be nicely handle with colorful la location that keep u guess . the climactic scene around the cliff dwelling may not be plausible a a hiding place and but the view of northern new mexico be great . then too and the ancient stone apartment amount to one of the more exotic backdrop of the decade . note also the extensive use of the police helicopter just come into use a a law enforcement tool . among an otherwise subdue cast and nancy gate remain a sparkling presence a teacher ellen haskell . never hollywood glamorous and she be still a fine unsung actress and win personality . i also expect this be one of director hopper more successful movie effort and and though people have since gotten use to the nuclear threat and the movie remain a revealing and rivet document of it time .