I recently found the entire nine-minute "Duck and Cover" film online. Unfortunately, I have no distinct memory of having seen the movie while in elementary school (the "Civil Defense" craze of the 1950's was petering out by the time I started first grade in 1962.) Nevertheless, I do recall one or two "air raid" drills that involved hustling all the kids down to the school's basement. I also remember at least one "duck and cover drill" where, on a signal from the teacher (Sister something-or-other) we all "ducked" under our desks and "covered" our heads with our hands. Afterwards, the nun led us in a solemn prayer asking god to help our president defend us against the communists.
As others have already observed, the development of thermonuclear weapons had, by the beginning of the Sixties, more-or-less invalidated the concept of effective civil defense, at least in urban and suburban areas. CD-related drills were no longer conducted in my school after the 1963-64 term. If memory serves correctly, though, monthly testing of municipal air-raid sirens continued for a couple more years; and U.S. Army anti-aircraft missile batteries protecting major American cities and suburbs remained operational until the early-1970's.
"Duck and Cover," with its 1940's-inspired music and authoritative narration ("We must OBEY the Civil Defense worker"), is a laughable throwback to an era when there were only 48 states in the Union; and when citizens were expected to (and largely did) trust "their" government to look after the common good.
As others have already observed, the development of thermonuclear weapons had, by the beginning of the Sixties, more-or-less invalidated the concept of effective civil defense, at least in urban and suburban areas. CD-related drills were no longer conducted in my school after the 1963-64 term. If memory serves correctly, though, monthly testing of municipal air-raid sirens continued for a couple more years; and U.S. Army anti-aircraft missile batteries protecting major American cities and suburbs remained operational until the early-1970's.
"Duck and Cover," with its 1940's-inspired music and authoritative narration ("We must OBEY the Civil Defense worker"), is a laughable throwback to an era when there were only 48 states in the Union; and when citizens were expected to (and largely did) trust "their" government to look after the common good.